Marine Conservation Research Group

Investigating the consequences of human activity on marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services

Man fishing in small boat above coral reef.

The Marine Conservation Research Group investigates the consequences of human activity on marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services in order to provide scientific evidence and management advice for the benefit of marine ecosystems and society.

Within the group, there are several units working in key areas of marine conservation:

Please contact research group leader Professor Emma Sheehan with any queries, or visit our theme pages for specific projects and associated staff for further details.

Our research themes

Image of waves crashing on beach with sun shining

Society and the sea

Montenegro aquaculture

Fishing and aquaculture

Climate change

Blue carbon, climate change and ocean acidification

Shoal of small fish swimming together over seafloor with seagrass, Atlantic ocean.

Marine Protected Areas

Oil Rig with ship at sea during a storm, Copyright: Nightman1965, courtesy of Shutterstock

Extractive industries

Plastic bag in the ocean

Plastics and pollution

Coastal processes research group google earth plugin image

Nature-based solutions

Offshore wind farm at sunset. Image courtesy of Getty Images.

Marine renewables

Marine conservation news

UK-China Summer School 2025

Students get chance to participate in UK-China science and culture exchange

21 postgraduate students spent two weeks working alongside academics and students at Hainan University

23 July 2025

University experts help unlock the Secrets of the Sea
Our academics have contributed to a new series by the BBC and The Conversation that showcases local stories with global significance

24 June 2025
Mapping the gaps: new global assessment reveals stark biases in ocean biodiversity data
New research led by the University highlights how uneven our knowledge of ocean biodiversity really is

23 June 2025
Offshore mussel farm collaboration wins at the Aquaculture UK Awards
The University has been working with Offshore Shellfish Ltd for well over a decade

20 June 2025
Is the ocean getting darker?
New research found 21% of the global ocean experienced a reduction in the depth of its photic zones, home to 90% of all marine life

27 May 2025
More related news

People

Professor Sian Rees

Associate Head of School - Research

Group lead
Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop

Associate Head of School - International
Dr Alexander Wilson

Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology
Dr Alice Hall

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Dr Amelia Bridges

Research Fellow
Amy Cartwright

Project Support Officer
Dr Anaelle Lemasson Lemasson

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Dr Benjamin Ciotti

Associate Professor of Marine Biology
Dr Clare Embling

Associate Head of School for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Dr Dannielle Eager

Associate Lecturer
Professor Emma Sheehan

Professor of Marine Ecology
Miss Florence Barraud

Teaching and Support Assistant
Mrs Florence Parker-Jurd

Associate Research Fellow
Dr Holly Niner

Global Challenge Research Fellow: Blue finance for nature-based solutions
Dr Imogen Napper

Visiting Research Fellow
Professor Jason Hall-Spencer

Professor of Marine Biology
Dr Joanna Harris

Research Fellow
Professor Kerry Howell

Professor of Deep-Sea Ecology
Mr Kyran Graves
Kizzy Beaumont

Research Assistant
Dr Llucia Mascorda-Cabre

Post Doctoral Research Fellow
Mr Matthew Faith
Dr Matthew Holland

Research Fellow
Professor Martin Attrill

Professor of Marine Ecology
Dr Matthew Ashley

Research Fellow - Social-Ecological Systems
Professor Melanie Austen

Professor of Ocean and Society
Dr Miriam Reverter

Lecturer in Marine Biology
Nata Tavonvunchai
Dr Nicola Quick

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Nicola Foster

Lecturer in Marine Biology
Oliver Thomas

Teaching and Support Assistant
Dr Peter Davies

Post-Doctoral Researcher
Miss Rachel Turnbull
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS

Director of the Marine Institute
Dr Robert Puschendorf

Associate Professor in Conservation Biology
Dr Simon Ingram

Associate Professor of Marine Conservation
Dr Sarah Gall

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Thomas Davies

Associate Professor of Marine Conservation
Mr Tom Mullier

Research Assistant AB
Dr Vikki Cheung

Project Manager
Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones

Honorary Associate Researcher

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Download the Marine Conservation Research Group Annual Report