Research
I am currently engaged in two projects under the Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources programme, exploring new approaches to bringing together the natural and social sciences for the more holistic management and well-being of coastal and marine habitats and resources.
I am working with the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, based at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, in developing research potential in coastal and marine management. A recent project has focused on the coastal resilience of a fishing community in the face of climate change and water pollution impacts. This has led to a socio-environmental model of a resilience collective, embodying the multiple aspects of resilience.
I am also working with colleagues in investigating the link between marine planning and the licencing of marine and maritime activities in English waters through an empirical study of marine licence aplications for activities in part of the North Sea.
I am also developing a progressive approach to coastal 'seascape assessment' based upon assemblage theory.
Marine spatial planning: theory and practice
I have carried out a number of research projects into the emerging systems of marine spatial planning, including European Union-funded projects focused on the European Atlantic region. These projects focus on the governance and technical arrangements for cross-border collaboration in planning shared sea areas in Europe's Atlantic seas. I am leading on the university's contribution to the most recent of these, in which we are exploring the institutional dynamics of land-sea interaction.
I am particularly interested in theoretical aspects of this new endeavour, including tracing the conceptual origins of marine planning and the need to develop less rationalistic and more responsive approaches within settings as dynamic and uncertain as the sea. I am currently drawing on post-structuralist interpretations of space and marine geographies, enabling development of the idea of 'lively space and immersed planning'. Recent writing includes an exploration of Deleuze & Guatarri's concept of striated and smooth space. My current writing is focusing on the experiential engagement of planners with the marine milieu.
I have also carried out research in connection with the European-funded projects for the Baltic region, and studies into the first plan to be produced for Germany's exclusive economic zone. I have been a member of Liverpool's ESPON team that explored development opportunities and risks for European seas, and have investigated the development of offshore wind energy in the UK and other European countries.
I am a co-founder of the Marine Spatial Planning Research Network http://www.msprn.net/ which regularly organises seminars on critical thinking in the field. We are currently exploring cultural aspects of marine planning, and how consideration of these might inform planning outputs.
I and my team are co-organising a number of international online events to encourage the uptake of marine planning, working with partners in Israel, South Africa, Ghana and Japan, with a view to ongoing collaboration. This includes supporting the work of the Abidjan Convention for the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of Africa.
I would be happy to hear from potential research collaborators and PhD students with similar interests.
Research groups
Research grants
Integrating diverse values into the sustainable management of marine resources in the UK
UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
August 2021 - August 2024
Resilient Coasts: optimising co-benefit solutions (CoOpt)
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL, NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
November 2021 - July 2025
SIMAtlantic
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
July 2019 - September 2021
Supporting Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in the Celtic Seas - SIMCelt
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
December 2015 - May 2018
Maritime-Linked Spatial Strategies : New Territories for Regional Development (CASE studentship)
PEEL (UK)
October 2015 - September 2018
North Sea STAR
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
October 2012 - December 2013
Maritime Spatial Planning in the Atlantic, including Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
December 2012 - August 2014