His doctoral dissertation included an examination of the role of public-private partnerships in the implementation of legislatively and judicially ordered public policies.
[6] Coan is a long-time advocate for stewardship of the oceans, and has called on the U.S. government to designate additional Marine Protected Areas and to give existing ones more funding.
[7] He has spoken in favor of Senate approval of the International Law of the Sea Treaty, coastal and marine spatial planning to protect vital resources, enhanced management for fisheries, and emerging understanding of the economic and social impact of ocean conservation.
Coan advocates for improved science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, and has written opinion pieces for major newspapers and lectured at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Coan began his career as a college admissions officer and then worked for several years as a youth outreach counselor in Appalachia and then Boston.
Coan received the William Crawford Distinguished Service Award[15] and was honored at the White House for Mystic Aquarium's work with at-risk youth and other community engagement in fostering ocean and watershed conservation and education.