Projects per year
Overview
Organisation profile
Research Unit Lead: Professor Sian Rees
The Marine Social Science Research Unit is an inter- and transdisciplinary team, part of the Marine Conservation Research Group at the University of Plymouth. Our expertise lies in applying social science research methodologies to directly inform marine environment governance at international, regional, national and local scales.
We are changemakers and impact-focused, co-creating and delivering robust social science research in partnership with statutory nature conservation agencies, sea users, NGOs, government departments and international organisations to support the sustainable and fair use of marine ecosystems.
Research Areas
- Social science
- Natural capital
- Ecosystem services
- Nature finance
- Equity
- Fisheries
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 14 Life Below Water
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics where Marine Social Science Research Unit is active. These topic labels come from the works of this organisation's members. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Profiles
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Dr Matthew Ashley
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences - Research Fellow - Social-Ecological Systems
- Marine Conservation Research Group
- Marine Social Science Research Unit
Person: Academic (Research)
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Sustainable development of marine mineral resources in the Philippines
Anderson, M. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Selby, I. (PI - Principal Investigator), Sheehan, E. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Masselink, G. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Howell, K. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Conley, D. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Rees, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator) & Austen, M. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
Natural Environment Research Council
12/04/21 → 11/09/21
Project: Research
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Working title: Jersey Blue Carbon Title: The blue carbon sequestration potential of Jersey’s coastal habitats
Attrill, M. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Sheehan, E. (PI - Principal Investigator) & Rees, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
1/09/21 → 30/09/23
Project: Research
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Developing the business case and a pilot transaction for seagrass restoration
Fisher, J. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Blake, W. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Attrill, M. (CoI - Co-Investigator) & Rees, S. (PI - Principal Investigator)
Various UK Government Sponsors
10/07/22 → 31/03/24
Project: Research
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A review of blue carbon credit projects' socio-economic activities
Tavonvunchai, N., Niner, H. J., McQuatters-Gollop, A. & Rees, S. E., 1 Aug 2026, In: People and Nature. 8, 8, p. 2748-2762 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Digital Marine Citizenship Toolkit: Connecting to the sea – the role of digital engagement for marine citizenship
Willis, K. & Beaumont, K., 1 Feb 2026, 63 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Gelatinous zooplankton as indicators in the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Terenzini, J., Falkenberg, L. J., Chiba, S., Faith, M., Puschendorf, R. & McQuatters-Gollop, A., May 2026, In: Ecological Indicators. 186, 114825.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Activities
- 1 Organising, hosting and/or delivering a workshop, seminar, course
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COP 30 UN Climate Change Conference
Willis, K. (Participant) & Beaumont, K. (Organiser)
18 Nov 2025Activity: Event organisation or participation › Organising, hosting and/or delivering a workshop, seminar, course
Datasets
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Ecosystem Service and Natural Capital Indicator Dataset for Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (UK): Observed and Aspirational Indicators with Evaluation Criteria
Beaumont, K. (Creator), Ashley, M. (Contributor), Mullier, T. (Contributor) & Rees, S. (Creator), University of Plymouth, 1 May 2026
DOI: 10.24382/3021eb91-df82-4d6b-82d0-caa31ffb4a5a, https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/fose-datasets/65/
Dataset
File -
Ramshaw et al., 2026, Contrasting patterns of kelp-associated bacterial community dynamics between farmed and wild Saccharina latissima throughout an aquaculture season
Ramshaw, J. (Creator), King, N. (Creator), Rees, S. (Creator), Sheehan, E. (Creator), Brown, R. (Creator) & Smale, D. A. (Creator), figshare, 30 Apr 2026
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.32134576
Dataset
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Unravelling Historical Carbon Records of Zostera marina Seagrass Meadows: High-Resolution Analysis, Dating and Methodological Evaluation of Deep Sediment Cores
Cramp, J. A. (Creator), Fisher, J. K. (Creator), Millward, G. E. (Creator), Rees, S. E. (Creator), Blake, W. (Creator), Parry, M. (Creator) & Attrill, M. (Creator), ZENODO, 3 Oct 2025
Dataset