Engaging industry and government agencies with applied research: ecological enhancement of hard coastal structures

Naylor, L. and Coombes, M. (2013) Engaging industry and government agencies with applied research: ecological enhancement of hard coastal structures. In: Nicholson, D. T. and Wheater, C. P. (eds.) Public Engagement in the GEES Disciplines: A Good Practice Guide. The Higher Education Academy: York, pp. 24-25. ISBN 9781907207921

Abstract

This case study stems from a collaborative, south-west England based research project that was jointly funded by the Environment Agency (EA) and Great Western Research (GWR), and undertaken by academics at the University of Exeter and in close collaboration with Professor Richard Thompson at the University of Plymouth. The research examined the two-way interplay between organisms and geomorphology in hard coastal engineering. An integrated (‘bio-geomorphological’) approach was used to improve understanding of how animals and plants use artificial coastal structures (such as seawalls) as habitats, and how they might be better designed for environmental gains. This highly inter-disciplinary work involved close collaboration between experts in ecology, geomorphology, geology and environmental policy and management. The project had strong experimental and theoretical components (developing novel field and laboratory procedures in the south-west, and new conceptual frameworks for scientific understanding), while emphasis was placed on engagement with end users throughout. Translating the research findings into practical outcomes was a key motivation for the project.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Naylor, Dr Larissa
• Authors: Naylor, L., and Coombes, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Publisher: The Higher Education Academy
• ISBN: 9781907207921