Place-based impact

Our place-based approach focuses on a defined area within the UK, specifically Plymouth Sound, the surrounding estuaries, and the Western Channel Observatory. By addressing both social and natural sciences questions, we strive to produce research that can be applied by local managers, such as Plymouth City Council and Devon and Cornwall County Councils, to create a healthy ocean and support the well-being of local residents.

Although our focus area may seem small compared to the global challenges we face, such as climate change, the need for clean seas, and the restoration of biodiversity, it serves as an ideal testbed for new approaches that can be scaled up and applied elsewhere. By considering all natural and human-made features in the Plymouth region, we work towards a sustainable future for the area, assessing how these features can be supported to achieve this goal.

We collaborate closely with local and regional managers to ensure our findings are applied effectively for improving the environment and outcomes for local residents. By leveraging our diverse research approaches and deep, long-standing knowledge of the local marine environment, we provide vital scientific evidence and guidance for a wide range of projects and initiatives. These include nature-based solutions like seagrass bed restoration that can help reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide, as well as other efforts to protect and enhance the local ecosystems.