The marine realm has had a profound impact on the development of human society and continues to stimulate creativity across the full spectrum of human expression. Marine Cultures is a key theme of the Arts Institute at the University of Plymouth, which aims to share knowledge and understanding about art and culture in ways that are inclusive, life affirming, challenging, informative and enjoyable.
Land/Water and the Visual Arts
Land/Water consists of artists, writers and curators who embrace a diversity of creative and critical practices. As a research group it operates as a forum for interrogation of nature and culture, aesthetics and representation. We generate work that addresses a range of issues. These include environmental change, sustainability, journey, site and regional specificity.

Maritime history

Artists in Residence
The Marine Institute hosts several artists in residence that contribute to the cultural impact of our work:
- Rosie Sherwood (Artist in Residence)
- Dr Alexis Kirke (Composer in Residence)
- Caroline Carver (Poet in Residence)
- Sue Austin (Artist in Residence)

Institute of Digital Art and Technology (iDAT)
i-DAT is an Open Research Lab for playful experimentation with creative technology.
We co-create and share technological prototypes and practices, that push and challenge the boundaries of digital arts and creative media practice. Our main focus is on making ‘data’ tangible, playable and readily available as a material, to generate new meaning and inform participation, audience engagement and innovation in the arts.

Marine culture staff
-
Dr Harry Bennett
Associate Professor (Reader) in History
-
Dr Mandy Bloomfield
Associate Professor in Modern and Contemporary Literature
-
Ms Caroline Burke
Lecturer in Media Arts
-
Dr Jane Grant
Associate Head of School - Graduate Studies
-
Dr Alexis Kirke
Senior Research Fellow
-
Mr Mike Lawson-Smith
Lecturer for Digital & Time Based Fine Art
-
Dr Heidi Morstang
Associate Professor in Photography
-
Dr Elaine Murphy
Associate Professor In History
-
Dr Kayla Parker
Lecturer in Media Arts
-
Professor Liz Wells
Emeritus Professor
-
Dr Louis Halewood
Philip Nicholas Lecturer in Maritime History