Dr Emma McKinley

Biography

Dr Emma McKinley (@EmmaJMcKinley) has been a Research Fellow at Cardiff University since 2016. Her research focuses on understanding the complex relationship between society and the sea, taking account of diverse types of perceptions, attitudes and values held by different communities and audiences, and considers how this insight can be used to support effective ocean governance.

Emma has an interdisciplinary background, with an initial grounding in natural sciences having completed a BSc in Marine Biology (University of Stirling), MSc in Marine Environmental Protection (University of Wales, Bangor) followed by a PhD examining the role of marine citizenship in contemporary UK marine and coastal management and policy development (University of Bournemouth).  An experienced mixed methods researcher, I apply a range of techniques within my research, and have worked on a diverse spectrum of topics including; marine spatial planning, ecosystem services, public perceptions and attitudes towards marine issues, coastal community resilience and sustainability and the Blue Growth agenda, focusing on supporting a sustainable ‘blue’ economy. Through numerous collaborations, I have developed strong working relationships with numerous partners including local and regional government bodies, the United Nations Environment Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), NGOs including the RSPB and the Marine Conservation Society, as well as partners across Northern Europe.

My research interests cover a range of topics, with a particular interest in marine and coastal issues. Key areas of interest include: the ongoing application of marine spatial planning as a marine and coastal management tool, ecosystem management and the understanding of the value of ecosystem services across society and industry, understanding public connections with our seas and the role of PPR in marine policy, coastal community sustainability and regeneration,  Blue growth, and the application of marketing tools to support more effective communication of conservation messages and overall sustainability.

In September 2018, I founded the Marine Social Science Network, a global, interdisciplinary community of researchers and practitioners working across marine social sciences, which she chairs. I am also the Chair of the Royal Geographic Society’s Coastal and Marine Research Group and sit on the Marine Social Science Task Force of the UK’s Marine Science Coordinating Committee working closely with relevant authorities to advocate for the inclusion of marine social sciences within decision making for the UK’s marine and coastal environment.

Professional memberships

• Chair and Founder of the Marine Social Science Network

Publications

Teaching

• Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, 2015
• Experience in delivering both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching

My research interests cover a range of topics related to societal relationships with marine and coastal environments, including areas such as:

• Public perceptions of marine and coastal environments
• Ocean literacy, marine citizenship and behaviour change
• Ocean governance, including marine planning
• Sustainbility of coastal communuities
• Community and Stakeholder engagement in marine and coastal issues
• Blue growth

Supervision

I am interested in supervising students on a range of topics across marine social sciences and related topics, including:

• Public perceptions of marine and coastal environments
• Ocean literacy, marine citizenship and behaviour change
• Ocean governance, including marine planning
• Sustainbility of coastal communuities
• Community and Stakeholder engagement in marine and coastal issues
• Blue growth

Impact

Roles in relevant groups and organisations: 

• Founder and Chair of the Marine Social Science Network (www.marsocsci.net)
• Chair of the Royal Geographical Society's Coastal and Marine Research Group (https://coastalmarineresearchgroup.wordpress.com/)
• Member of the UK's Marine Science Coordinating Committee's Social Science Task Group
• Member of UK's Marine Science Coordinating Committee's Working Group on Ocean Literacy and Communication
• Sit on a range of Welsh Government groups, including the Wales Marine Advisory and Action Group, and the Marine Planning Stakeholder Reference Group

Public outreach and community/ stakeholder engagement:

• Interim manager of the Severn Estuary Partnership (SEP), supporting a wide range of community and stakeholder engagement and outreach activities, including the recent Natural Resources Wales funded Discover the Severn project.
• Participation in a range of public outreach events including:
  • NERC funded 'UnEarthed' Event in Edinburgh, November 2017.
  • Soapbox Science Cardiff in 2017
  • Pint of Science, Cardiff, 2018
  • Eistedfodd in 2017 and 2018