Overview
Profile summary
I am a marine scientist working in marine conservation, marine management and policy. I have a strong record of achievement in social and economic research methods to define the marine social-ecological system at a variety of scales. To extend the impact of my research I work closely with statutory nature conservation agencies, NGOs, government departments and international organisations.
Teaching interests
I teach on the following modules:
- MBIO505 Marine Conservation Theory.
- MAR507 Economics of the Marine Environment.
- OS307 Marine Conservation.
Additional information
I lead the Marine Conservation Research Group and the Marine Social Science Research Unit.
Creative practice & artistic projects
An Ever Moving Now – Rosie Sherwood https://www.rosiesherwood.com/
Blue Carbon Artist in Residence – The Seagrass Corridor. NERC – Creative Climate Connections
Academic qualifications
PhD in Marine Conservation and Environmental Economics. “The Value of Marine Conservation”, University of Plymouth
2007 → 2011
MSc Coastal and Ocean Policy (with distinction), University of Plymouth
2002 → 2003
BSc (Hons) Marine Geography (second-class honours, division one), University of Wales
1995 → 1999
External positions
Board Member, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership
Marine Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment Advisory Group Member, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK)
Advisory Network Member, Natural Environment Research Council
Member of the Local Stewardship Council, North Devon World Surfing Reserve
Expertise related to 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. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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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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Fish Intel
Attrill, M. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Sheehan, E. (PI - Principal Investigator), Rees, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Firth, L. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Ciotti, B. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Fraser, K. (CoI - Co-Investigator) & Wilson, A. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
1/02/21 → 31/05/23
Project: 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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Blue Carbon Artist in Residence - The Seagrass Corridor
Morgan, A. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Attrill, M. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Sheehan, E. (CoI - Co-Investigator) & Rees, S. (PI - Principal Investigator)
Natural Environment Research Council
1/11/21 → 31/10/22
Project: Research
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40 priority questions to advance understanding of the risks and opportunities of UK marine heatwaves
Jacobs, Z., Smith, K. E., Kajtar, J. B., Smale, D. A., Moore, P. J., Stephenson, F., Burrows, M. T., Rowland, C., Renshaw, R., Oliver, S., Jakins-Pollard, M., Palmer, F. I., Kloker, A., Baker-Austin, C., Townhill, B., Rees, S., Coulthard, S. & Popova, E., 17 Dec 2025, In: npj Ocean Sustainability. 5, 1, 1.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
A collaborative approach to marine species tracking: Insights from the Fish Intel Acoustic Telemetry Network
Hall, A. E., Stamp, T., Davies, P., Woillez, M., Laurans, M., Gonse, M., Couturier, L. I. E., Blanpain, O., Frangoudes, K., Quillérou, E., Graner, E., Reubens, J., Muñiz, C., Hawkes, L. A., Witt, M. J., Horton, T. W., Hooper, T., Pender, R., Quemeneur, E. & Abjean, M. & 21 others, , 6 Nov 2025, In: Ecological Solutions and Evidence. 6, 4, e70148.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
An assessment model for linking changes in pelagic habitat state to impacts on human wellbeing
Faith, M. P., Rees, S. E., Atkinson, A., Best, M., Bresnan, E., Devlin, M. J., Holland, M. M., Niner, H. J., Ostle, C., Tett, P. & McQuatters-Gollop, A., 6 Aug 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Marine Policy. 182, 106863.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Downloads (Pure) -
Towards Greater Standardisation in Benthic Trait Research to Support Application to Environmental Management
Susini, I., Tillin, H. M., Anderson, L., Robertson, C. M., Rees, S. & Howell, K. L., 4 Mar 2025, In: Ecology and Evolution. 15, 3, e71072.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Unraveling Historical Carbon Records of Zostera marina Seagrass Meadows: High-Resolution Analysis, Dating, and Methodological Evaluation of Deep Sediment Cores
Cramp, J. A., Fisher, J. K., Millward, G. E., Rees, S. E., Blake, W., Parry, M. & Attrill, M. J., 25 Oct 2025, In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. 130, 10, e2025JG009001.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure)
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
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Data from: A Marine Natural Capital Asset and Risk Register – Towards securing the benefits from marine systems and linked ecosystem services
Rees, S. (Creator), Ashley, M. (Creator) & Mullier, T. (Creator), University of Plymouth, 17 Jan 2022
DOI: 10.24382/5006, https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/fose-datasets/23/
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
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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
Theses
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The Value of Marine Conservation
Rees, S. (Author), Rodwell, L. (Director of Studies (First Supervisor)), Attrill, M. (Other Supervisor) & Austen, M. (Other Supervisor), 2012Student thesis: PhD
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