Staff in the School of Marine Science and Technology are involved in a range of projects that explore the relationship between society and the marine environment. The philosophy that drives this research is that both management of marine resources, and the furtherance of scientific knowledge itself are democratic pursuits. Much of our research centres on the value of lay-expertise and local knowledge in sustainable management of marine and coastal environments. The need for stakeholder participation and to increase awareness of marine environmental and heritage issues is highlighted in reports such as DEFRA’s ‘Safeguarding our Seas’ and ‘Seas of Change’ (2002), and in the government’s citizenship strategy. We are exploring routes towards a more successful dynamic between publics and their natural environments and between publics and academic/professional scientists. We are seeking to gain a better understanding of the role science can play in informing social and environmental policy and what that means at the grass roots level. We are looking at effective models that can be translated into other contexts and other settings internationally.
Some of the projects we are currently supporting include:
Cullercoats; Past, Present and Futures
Inspiring Seas: Oceans of teaching resources
Sustaining our coastal heritage: the value of local knowledge
Coastal Issues and Fragile habitats