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Research project

Seaweed Dynamics – Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

Project overview

The project addresses the global impact of climate change-induced shifts in seaweed dynamics by co-developing an awareness campaign in the UK. Blooms of seaweeds carry risks for sectors, including tourism and fisheries, in regions spanning southeast Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the UK. The project aims to build on a citizen science collaboration with a Widening Participation target (coastal) school, and work with the Southampton Education School, to co-create a public education campaign that develops public awareness and showcases the potential of seaweed utilization. We achieve this through: (1) working with students and teachers from The Cornerstone Academy fortnight in a provisioned after-school club, with support from a PhD student; (2) visiting the University of Southampton labs with students to attend a workshop on socio-economic opportunities from seaweed; and (3) working with the Southampton Education School to develop videos highlighting the challenges and opportunities of blooming seaweeds.

Staff

Lead researchers

Dr Vicky Dominguez Almela

Lecturer

Research interests

  • Her work has included the use of individual-based models (IBMs), geographical information systems (GIS) and stable isotopes to increase understandings of invasion patterns and evaluate invasive species eradication programmes. She also uses citizen science tools to co-produce knowledge with the general public and increase adaptation pathways to climatic risks.
  • Champion of the Nature-Based Solutions Special Interest Group at the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute.
  • Postgrad Rep and Social Media Lead of the British Ecological Society Invasion Science Group.
Connect with Vicky

Email: V.Dominguez-Almela@soton.ac.uk

Other researchers

Dr Sien Van Der Plank PhD

Senior Research Fellow

Research interests

  • Multi-scale analysis using mixed methods of coastal flood risk management across policy domains, organisational stakeholders and households.
  • Risk attitudes and behaviours to the natural environment in relation to perceived, expected and experienced social and physical changes.
  • Mixed methods analysis of the form and evolution of stakeholder perceptions toward mining, expected impacts of mining, and experiences of consultation process.
Connect with Sien

Email: sien.vanderplank@soton.ac.uk

Collaborating research institutes, centres and groups

Research outputs