- B427, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 584977
- louise.firth@plymouth.ac.uk

Profiles
Dr Louise Firth
Associate Professor of Marine Ecology
School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
- Climate change
- Biodiversity
- Marine ecology
- Eco-engineering
- Coastal development
- Harbours
- Artificial reefs
- Nature-based solutions
Email publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.
Biography
Biography
Lecturer in Marine Ecology
I am a marine ecologist who works in both natural and artificial coastal environments. I am interested in the relationship between humans and coastal ecosystems (Marine Community Ecology) and how this relationship has changed over time (Historical Ecology). I am particularly interested in developing novel ways of making space for nature in human-dominated environments (Eco-Engineering). See my TEDx talk for more information on Eco-engineering.
Qualifications
2015-2018. Lecturer in Environmental Science, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, University of Plymouth, UK
2014. Research Associate, Faculty of Natural & Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
2012-2014. University Fellow, Zoology, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
2009-2011. Postdoctoral Researcher with Professor Steve Hawkins, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, UK
2009. Consultant Scientist, APEM Ltd., Stockport, UK
2007-2008. Postdoctoral Researcher with Professor Susan Bell, Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, USA
2007. Invited Postdoctoral Researcher with Professor Gray Williams, Swire Institute of Marine Science, University of Hong Kong, PR China
2003-2007. PhD in Marine Ecology. School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
1999-2003. BSc in Zoology, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
Professional membership
2010-present: Member of the British Ecological Society
2009-present: Member of the Porcupine Marine Natural History Society
2004-present: Member of the Marine Biological Association of the UK
Roles on external bodies
2020-present: Editor for Frontiers in Marine Science
2016-present: Editor for Oceanography and Marine Biology: an Annual Review
2014-2017: Associate Editor for Marine and Freshwater Research
2014-2017: Editor for Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
My teaching interests cover biodiversity and community ecology in urban and natural systems, impacts of ocean sprawl on marine ecosystems and ecological engineering.
I teach on a wide range of modules across Marine Biology, Marine Science, Biological Science and Environmental Science:
Staff serving as external examiners
Research
Research
Research interests
My research on ‘Marine environmental change’ covers four key areas: (1) conservation, urban ecology and ecological engineering; (2) biodiversity and climate change; (3) marine community ecology and (4) historical ecology.
Research groups
- Ecology and Evolution Research Group
- Marine Biology & Ecology Research Centre (MBERC)
- Marine Conservation Research Group
- Marine Eco-engineering Research Unit
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
- Axelle Amstutz, PhD, School of Biological Science, Plymouth University, 2016-2019. (co-supervisor). "Facing up to climate change: the role of aspect in species colonisation, persistence and ecosystem processes"
- Amelia Curd, PhD, IFREMER and University of West Brittany, 2016-2019. (co-supervisor). "Assessment of the distribution and ecological status of Sabellaria alveolata reefs in Europe"
- Dr Kathryn O'Shaughnessy, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, Plymouth University, 2016-2019. (Director of studies). "Green engineering of coastal infrastructure: a design for life"
- Dr Aimee Walls, Zoology, National University of Ireland Galway, 2017 (co-supervisor). "An ecosystem approach to kelp farming".
- Dr Rebecca Morris, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, 2016 (co-supervisor). "Retrofitting biodiversity: Ecological engineering for management of urbanised systems".
- Dr Ally Evans, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, 2015 (co-supervisor). "Artificial coastal defence structures as surrogate habitats for natural rocky shores".
Grants & contracts
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsPersonal
Personal
Reports & invited lectures
Plenary speaker: 2nd International Conference on Community Ecology, Bologna, Italy, 2019
Invited speaker: Urban Future Global Conference, Oslo, Norway, 2019
Invited panel speaker: MBA postgraduate workshop, Plymouth, UK, 2018
Invited Panel Speaker on Restoration Successes, Benthic Ecology Meeting, Myrtle Beach, USA, 2017
Invited keynote and session moderator: 41st International CIESM Congress, Kiel, Germany, 2016
Keynote speaker: MBA Postgraduate Workshop, Queens University Belfast, UK, 2015
Plenary speaker: British Ecological Society Aquatic Group, London, UK, 2014
Keynote speaker: Climate Change Adaptation: Aquatic Invasives and Coastal Restoration Symposium, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 2014
Keynote speaker: 9th International Temperate Reefs Symposium, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, 2014
Conferences organised
- Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Evolution, Interactions and Global Change, University of Liverpool (2015)
- Porcupine Marine Natural History Society Conference, National University of Ireland Galway (2014)
- European Marine Biology Symposium, National University of Ireland Galway (2013)
- The International Temperate Reefs Symposium, University of Plymouth (2011)
- 3rd Annual Marie Biological Association of the UK Postgraduate Marine Biology Workshop, University College Dublin (2006)
- 1st Irish Postgraduate Ecology Forum, University College Cork (2006)