From Devon waters to Australia’s endangered sharks
Kerry Brown reveals how studying BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography took her to the forefront of endangered shark research in South Australia
Kerry Brown didn’t follow a typical path into marine biology. After starting out in creative subjects, she found her passion for the ocean during the COVID-19 lockdown and went on to study
Marine Biology and Oceanography
at Plymouth.
Through hands-on fieldwork and expert teaching, she gained the skills and confidence to explore shark conservation. Now studying for a masters in Tropical North Queensland, her research focuses on endangered species like the whitefin swellshark, with a strong drive to make real-world impact through science.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Kerry shares her thoughts on discovering marine science later in life, returning to education as a mature student, and how her time at Plymouth shaped her journey into research and conservation.
- BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography graduate
- Winner of the Ocean Conservation Trust dissertation prize for outstanding undergraduate research
- Published research on critically endangered whitefin swellsharks in South Australia
A new path by the sea: starting a science journey at Plymouth
When did you develop an interest in studying the ocean and wanted to become a marine biologist?
Becoming a marine biologist wasn’t something I initially considered. At 15, I was certain I’d never study science again after failing my science mock GCSEs, and if I’m being honest, I didn’t even realise it was a real career option at the time.
So instead, I followed a creative path and planned to study textiles or photography at university. While I loved being creative, it became clear that it was more of a personal interest than something I wanted to pursue professionally.
A few years later, after some travelling and still unsure about my future, the COVID-19 lockdown gave me the time to pause and reflect. That’s when I started looking into marine science more seriously and it just made sense. For the first time, I could see a path I was genuinely excited about.
Why did you choose to study BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography at Plymouth?
For me, Plymouth was an easy choice. Being local to Devon, I already knew the area and appreciated that the University sits right on the doorstep of some amazing and diverse marine environments, perfect for studying marine biology and oceanography.
After attending a virtual open day and hearing from some of the lecturers, I could really feel their passion for the subject.
Learning about the hands-on fieldwork, great facilities, and close connection to the coast made it an obvious decision. It just felt like the ideal place to start my journey into marine science.
Can you share some of the most memorable experiences or challenges you faced during your time at Plymouth?
Returning to university after more than a decade away from formal education was a huge transition and came with its own set of challenges. Unlike many of my peers, I had to relearn how to write academically and manage deadlines, all while balancing my studies with personal responsibilities.
That said, being a mature student also had its advantages. My life experience gave me a fresh perspective and a stronger sense of purpose. I approached my studies with more focus and determination than I probably would have at 18. I was genuinely excited to learn and appreciated the chance to engage deeply with the material. While the journey wasn’t without its difficulties, it was incredibly rewarding both academically and personally.
Real-world experience shaped research interests
How did the hands-on experiences, such as fieldwork and lab-based projects, using the University range of facilities, help shape your understanding of marine environments?
I really valued all the hands-on experiences throughout the course, especially the fieldwork and lab-based projects. I’m someone who learns best through doing, so having the chance to apply what we were learning in lectures to real-life settings made a huge difference to my understanding.
The trips on
RV Falcon Spirit
were some of the most memorable parts of the course. Being out on the water, collecting real data, and then analysing it back in the lab brought everything we’d been studying to life. It made the ideas feel real and helped everything click in a way that theory alone never could.
How did your studies at Plymouth influence your research interests and the direction of your career after graduation?
Marine biology and oceanography is a pretty broad subject, so I started my degree with an open mind. The variety of modules and hands-on projects gave me the chance to explore many different areas of marine science and gradually refine my focus.
My time at Plymouth gave me more than just academic knowledge, it gave me confidence. It showed me that I was not only capable of succeeding in science, but that I genuinely enjoyed the challenge of learning and wanted to take it further. That experience was key in shaping my decision to continue into postgraduate study and helped me set a clear direction for the kind of research I want to pursue moving forward.
How did Plymouth’s coastal location contribute to your understanding of marine biology and oceanography? Were there any particular research opportunities that stood out to you?
Studying at Plymouth, with its coastal location, was incredibly valuable to my understanding of marine biology and oceanography. Being near diverse habitats – from rocky shores and estuaries to offshore waters – meant regular hands-on fieldwork. That experience brought lecture content to life and made everything feel more applied and relevant.
Now, living and studying in Tropical North Queensland, I’ve developed an even greater appreciation for the temperate systems I studied at Plymouth. Experiencing both temperate and tropical environments has shown me how local conditions shape the research questions we ask, the methods we use, and how we think about conservation. That contrast has been eye-opening and continues to influence how I approach my current studies.
Bridging theory and practice: real-world skills from the classroom to the field
Looking back, what would you say were the key skills or knowledge you gained from the course that have been the most valuable in your professional career?
One of the most valuable skills I gained during my time at Plymouth was confidence in data analysis. After starting my masters at James Cook University, I quickly realised how fortunate I was, as not everyone has had the same level of exposure to these programmes.
Learning to code can be a bit of a marmite experience, you will either love it or hate it, but looking back, I’m grateful for the solid foundation Plymouth gave me in data handling and statistical analysis. It’s a skill I’ve used constantly in my postgraduate work and one that is a real asset in marine science.
Another key strength I took from the course was scientific writing. The consistent focus on lab reports and written assignments helped me learn how to explain complex ideas clearly and effectively. The ability to communicate science, whether through academic papers, grant proposals, or broader outreach is something I’ve come to realise is hugely important in the field of marine science.
Are there any specific projects or aspects of your current research that can be traced back to concepts or experiences from your degree?
Although I’m still in the first year of my two-year masters, which is currently focused on coursework, the foundation laid during my undergraduate degree has already played a key role in shaping my interests and direction.
At Plymouth, I was introduced to species distribution modelling, and the importance of climate-driven environmental change. These topics sparked my curiosity about how marine species, especially sharks, respond to shifting ocean conditions. Those early experiences planted the seed for what I hope to explore more deeply next year, when I move into the research phase of my degree.
I'm particularly interested in continuing to study sharks and investigating how environmental pressures like climate change and habitat loss influence their distribution and survival. The analytical skills I developed at Plymouth, especially in scientific writing, data analysis, and GIS, have given me a strong foundation for this next stage of research. I can already see how these tools are shaping the questions I ask and the approaches I’m beginning to take.
Turning passion into purpose: advice for aspiring marine scientists
What advice would you give to current students at Plymouth who are pursuing a similar path in marine biology or oceanography?
My biggest piece of advice is to find a balance, don’t let university completely take over your life. You’ll get more out of your studies if you also make time for the things you enjoy outside of academics.
Also, marine biology can be a competitive field, and it’s easy to feel like you need to say yes to every opportunity to build up as much experience as possible. But trying to do everything can quickly become overwhelming. It’s much more sustainable and enjoyable to focus on the areas you’re genuinely interested in and stick with those, even if that means going at your own pace.
It can be a bit intimidating when it seems like everyone else is involved in loads of exciting things, but in the end, following what you're actually passionate about tends to lead to more meaningful experiences and often to opportunities that align more closely with your long-term goals.
How does studying at Plymouth prepare students for real-world applications in marine science and environmental policy?
What really stood out to me about studying at Plymouth was how they combined up-to-date, research-led teaching with practical fieldwork. Being taught by active researchers meant the content always felt relevant and closely tied to what’s actually going on in the field.
The assignments were designed to reflect real-world tasks, things like writing lab reports, putting together grant proposals, presenting findings, and analysing data, which really helped me build confidence in skills that are directly useful in careers like research, consultancy, and policy.
Something else I really valued was how hands-on the course was. We spent time out on research vessels, used field equipment like ROVs and CTDs, and had plenty of lab sessions too. We also learned how to use programmes like R and MATLAB for data analysis, skills I’ve already found useful in my postgraduate studies. That combination of theory, fieldwork, and data handling gave me a solid understanding of how marine science is applied in real-world settings.
How did your time studying marine biology and oceanography influence your decision to pursue further academic qualifications or enter into research-based roles?
Studying at Plymouth definitely shaped the direction I’ve taken. Before starting, I never imagined I would pursue a degree, let alone postgraduate studies. But the course really gave me the confidence to follow that path.
While winning the Ocean Conservation Trust prize for my dissertation and having that work published boosted my confidence and reassured me, I could contribute meaningfully, it was the ongoing encouragement and support from the lecturers that motivated me to apply for scholarships I hadn’t previously considered, which ultimately enabled me to move to Australia and begin my masters with a Northcote Postgraduate Scholarship.
From Plymouth to policy: the making of a shark researcher
Can you tell us a little about what it was like to work with
Dr Robert Puschendorf
on the recent paper you published together?
Looking back, it’s actually quite funny, when I first found out that Dr Puschendorf would be my advisor, I wasn’t sure what to expect. That year, the advisor selection process had just been introduced, and we had to list three preferences. I wasn’t assigned any of mine, so I was surprised to see Rob’s name, especially since he’s from the biological sciences department and someone I hadn’t met before. But from the very beginning, Rob was eager to help. Everything just seemed to fall into place after that.
I’m really glad it worked out the way it did, he is incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely supportive. Working with him was a really positive experience that not only helped me grow academically but also made the entire process more enjoyable.
I’m especially grateful for his support during the publishing process. He took the time to guide me patiently through each stage, offering encouragement and sharing his expertise throughout. I genuinely don’t think I would have had the confidence, or even the opportunity to publish without his support.
It just goes to show that great things can come from unexpected beginnings. And although I’ve probably thanked Rob a hundred times already, I suppose one more won’t hurt!
What inspired you to specialise in researching shark conversation? What makes the whitefin swell shark an interesting species to study?
I always knew I wanted to focus on sharks, I believe they are among the most misunderstood animals in the ocean. Their incredible diversity, along with the fact that many species still lack basic scientific understanding, really drew me toward studying them.
My dissertation naturally took a few turns. I had originally planned to research how climate change was affecting UK shark species. However, many UK sharks have wide global distributions. While these species are still important, I became more and more interested in those with restricted ranges, such as endemics. Australia, where I am based now, is home to many endemic shark species.
One that particularly caught my attention was the whitefin swellshark (Cephaloscyllium albipinnum), which is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’. Its small range and high vulnerability made it a compelling species to focus on from a conservation standpoint.
Studying and protecting a species like this felt like a way to make a tangible impact and that’s what ultimately inspired my research direction.
What role will your research play in informing future conservation policies?
Our research on the whitefin swellshark (Cephaloscyllium albipinnum) provides valuable insights into how climate change may reshape the species’ habitat in the coming decades.
By modelling future habitat suitability and potential range shifts under different climate scenarios, we can identify areas where critical habitat is likely to be lost, as well as regions that may serve as future refugia. This kind of information can play an important role in long-term conservation planning.
While there’s still more to understand, studies like this can help conservation efforts become more proactive and forward-thinking, giving species like the whitefin swellshark (C. albipinnum) the best possible chance of survival in a rapidly changing ocean.
Published research paper:
- Future climate-driven habitat loss and range shift of the Critically Endangered whitefin swellshark (Cephaloscyllium albipinnum)
- PeerJ article spotlight
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How important a role does the civic scientist play in today’s society in educating a wider audience, particularly around issues related to ocean conservation?
I believe the way science is communicated is evolving, and the role of civic scientists is more important than ever. Civic scientists are essential in bridging the gap between research and the public. Science can often feel distant or difficult to connect with, but civic scientists help make these topics more accessible and engaging for a wider audience. By communicating research in a way that is both understandable and impactful, they can inspire action and foster a sense of responsibility toward the environment.
With ocean conservation being such a pressing issue, it’s crucial that more people understand the importance of marine ecosystems and the threats they face. Through outreach, education, and public engagement, civic scientists have a unique ability to influence attitudes and behaviours, whether by raising awareness of sustainable practices, advocating for ocean protection policies, or even contributing to data collection. Their role in making science relatable and actionable is critical to ensuring ocean conservation becomes a global priority.
What do you hope to achieve within the next five years?
I’ve never been one to plan too far ahead, but for the next couple of years at least, my priority is to complete my Master of Marine Biology at James Cook University. It’s already been an incredible opportunity so far, and I’m excited to see where it leads.
Beyond that, I hope to apply the skills and knowledge I’ve gained to make a meaningful contribution to shark research and conservation, whether that’s through pursuing a PhD, working within the marine sector, or engaging in research and public outreach.
I’m open to the possibilities and eager to make the most of whatever comes next.
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