Public policy influence
University research evidence in government policies, reports and more
Research by the University of Plymouth is provided as evidence to policymakers to improve decision making and outcomes for the communities we serve, both in the UK and internationally.
Governing the marine environment
Environmental Audit Committee
June 2025
University of Plymouth researchers have contributed to a new House of Commons report calling for urgent action on marine protection, highlighting the pressing need to ban bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Government policy and reports
The future of seaside towns
House of Lords Liaison Committee
July 2023
The Centre for Coastal Communities has been cited extensively in a follow-up report from a major House of Lords inquiry in 2018-19, addressing the challenges faced by seaside towns and communities which have long been left behind. Although the issues in these communities are complex and interlinked, this report considers the following matters: coastal communities policy and coordination, funding and delivery of regeneration; connectivity, education, health and wellbeing.
Unusual crustacean mortality in the north-east of England
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
January 2023
January 2023
The large-scale mortality of crabs and lobsters in the north-east of England in late 2021 prompted an investigation to identify the reason for this rare occurrence.
Professor Mark Fitzsimons
was invited to join the Crustacean Mortality Expert Panel which considered the likelihood of existing proposals to explain the deaths, including algal blooms and pyridine toxicity. The panel used all available data to assess possible causes for the unusual crustacean mortality, including identifying the most likely cause for the 2021 event.
Terrestrial borne litter in the marine environment
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
October 2021
October 2021
Data indicates that marine litter is still common and not decreasing in the UK. Evidence in this report provides information on the sources of marine litter and the pathways in which they enter the marine environment to support the UK's 25 Year Plan, Litter Strategy England and Resources and Waste Strategy. Professor Thompson and Dr Courtene-Jones found that from the available data, public-sources were identified as having the greatest contribution to overall quantities of litter.
The Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2021: Health in Coastal Communities
Department of Health and Social Care, July 2021
The findings showed a higher burden of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health and COPD in coastal areas. Evidence found life expectancy is significantly lower in coastal areas with lower participation in Higher Education, as well as higher rates of hospital admissions for young people with ‘health-risking behaviour’.
- Landscapes Review: National Parks and AONBs, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, September 2019: Dr John Martin
- The Lyme Bay experimental potting study, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, September 2019: Dr Adam Rees, Dr Emma Sheehan, Professor Martin Attrill
- Fathers and the workplace, House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee, 2017-19: Dr Jasmine Kelland
- British Antarctic Territory: conserving and protecting Underwater Cultural Heritage, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, December 2018: Mr Jason Lowther
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The UK Government ban on microbeads in cosmetics, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, 2018:
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS , Dr Imogen Napper - The Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, 2018: Dr Sian Rees and Dr Emma Sheehan
- Gender Pay Gap, House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee, 2015-16: Dr Jasmine Kelland
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From Srebrenica to a safer tomorrow: Preventing future mass atrocities around the world, International Development Select Committee, October 2022:
Dr Ben Willis -
In our hands: behaviour change for climate and environmental goals, House of Lords’ Environment and Climate Change Committee, October 2022:
Professor Alison Anderson -
Microplastic policies for the Government, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Microplastics, September 2021:
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS ,Dr Imogen Napper - Benyon Review Into Highly Protected Marine Areas, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, June 2020: Dr Emma Sheehan and Dr Sian Rees
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Tyre particles in our oceans, Investigation of Sources and Pathways of Microplastic Pollution into the Marine Environment, DEFRA, May 2020: Dr Florence Parker-Jurd,
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS , Dr Imogen Napper - Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, 2020: Professor Steven Furnell
Select Committee evidence
- Inquiry into the Integrated Rail Plan, Transport Committee, March 2022: Professor Jon Shaw
- North Sea energy cooperation and Net Zero, EU Environment Sub-Committee, March 2021: Professor Mel Austen
- Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, Education Committee, November 2020: Dr Alex Gibson
- Scrutiny of the Fisheries Bill, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, December 2018: Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop
- FIXING FASHION: clothing consumption and sustainability, Environmental Audit Committee, October 2018: Professor Richard Thompson
- Sustainable Seas, Environmental Audit Committee, September 2018: Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop
- Fathers and the workplace, Women and Equalities Committee, February 2017: Dr Jasmine Kelland
- Women in executive management, Women and Equalities Committee, June 2016: Dr Jasmine Kelland
- Environmental impact of Microplastics, Environmental Audit Committee, June 2016: Professor Richard Thompson
- Plastic Bag Inquiry, Environmental Audit Committee, January 2014: Professor Richard Thompson
Government announcements
- '£60 million boost for floating offshore wind', Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, January 2022
- 'Experts share tips for tackling plastic pollution in Portsmouth', Environment Agency, February 2021
- 'Defra welcomes University of Plymouth microfiber filter study', Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, July 2020: Dr Florence Parker-Jurd, Professor Richard Thompson, Dr Imogen Napper
- 'Government targets particulate matter and microplastic pollution from cars', Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, July 2019: Dr Florence Parker-Jurd, Professor Richard Thompson, Dr Imogen Napper
- 'Penny Mordaunt doubles support for plastic recycling', Department for International Development, March 2019: Professor Richard Thompson
- 'Brakes, tyres and road wear call for evidence launched', Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, July 2019: Dr Florence Parker-Jurd, Professor Richard Thompson, Dr Imogen Napper
- 'World leading microbeads ban comes into force', Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, July 2018: Professor Richard Thompson
- 'Government launches microplastics research to protect oceans', Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, May 2018: Dr Florence Parker-Jurd, Professor Richard Thompson, Dr Imogen Napper
- 'Local communities to give views on permanent disposal of radioactive waste', Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, January 2018: Professor Iain Stewart
- 'UK Zika research awarded share of £120 million vaccine fund', Department of Health and Social Care, November 2016
- 'Cable announces £20 million for UK industrial biotechnology', Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, February 2015
- 'South West makes splash as first marine energy park', Department of Energy & Climate Change, January 2012
Mentions in Parliament
- 'Fatherhood forfeit', Fathers in the Family, March 2017: Dr Jasmine Kelland
- Dementia-friendly communities, Brexit: Impact on Universities and Scientific Research, November 2016: Mr Ian Sherriff
- Brain tumour research, Health Service Medical Supplies (Costs) Bill, October 2016: Brain Tumour Research Group
- Air passengers with dementia, June 2016: Mr Ian Sherriff, Dr Alexis Kirke
- Marine litter, Marine Environment, March 2016: Professor Richard Thompson
- Health services, Cross-border Health Care (England and Wales), March 2013: Professor Sheena Asthana
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Microplastic Filters (Washing Machines), November 2022,
Professor Richard Thompson ,Dr Imogen Napper - Tidal stream energy, Tidal Energy Generation: Ringfenced Funding debate, November 2021: Dr Danny Coles
- Microplastic Filters (Washing Machines), November 2021, Professor Richard Thompson
- Biodegradable bags, Plastics: Reduction in Use, May 2019, Professor Richard Thompson, Dr Imogen Napper
- Fisheries Bill, December 2018, Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop
- Microplastics in the English Channel, Marine Environment, November 2011, Professor Richard Thompson, Dr Sarah Gall
- Dementia in parishes, Animal Welfare, March 2017: Mr Ian Sherriff
Public Policy
Providing evidence to support policy-making processes
The University of Plymouth has a prestigious record of engaging with and influencing policy, from legislation on microplastics, to innovation in offshore renewable energy to the health of coastal communities. We work with local, regional, national and international partners across a range of complex policy issues including soil erosion, anti-microbial resistance and digital interventions for Parkinsons’ sufferers.
Workforce: recruitment, training and retention in health and social care
House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee, July 2022
This influential Committee report lays out how the large number of unfilled NHS job vacancies is posing a serious risk to patient safety and threatens the plans to tackle the backlog following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Plymouth team wrote about the particular difficulties international doctors have in joining the GP or specialist register, and the overall report said the large number of unfilled NHS job vacancies is posing a serious risk to patient safety.
