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I come from a background in marine biology, having completed my undergraduate degree at Bangor University and my Master’s at Heriot-Watt University. I subsequently worked as a scientific fisheries observer for the Falkland Islands Government, and then for the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority as an Environment Officer.

I had known for a while that I wanted to pursue a PhD—it was just a matter of finding the right project. I came across this opportunity online and ended up chatting with my Director of Studies, Professor Melanie Austen, at a PhD open day. Mel’s passion for the project, its multidisciplinary nature, and the location in Plymouth and the Southwest were all major draws that ultimately led me to apply.

My PhD is titled “Intertidal seagrass meadows in Southwest England: the ecological and socio-economic benefits of restoration” and I used a range of multidisciplinary techniques to understand the nature and scale of the ecosystem services provided by intertidal seagrass meadows in Southwest England.

I primarily investigated the organic carbon storage potential and associated benthic biodiversity of the meadows. I also used earth observation techniques—including drones and satellites—to survey my study sites and map changes in meadow extent and density over time.

I successfully defended my thesis this spring [2025, red.].

I found that intertidal seagrass and intertidal bare sediment contain similar levels of organic carbon, with high variability observed both spatially and over time. The meadows were also biologically diverse, though not more so than bare sediment habitats. A particularly striking finding was that intertidal seagrass meadows colonised 25 hectares of bare mudflat unaided over the span of a decade—just across from Britain’s biggest naval base.

This has important implications for our understanding of estuarine muddy habitats, highlighting their value regardless of vegetation, as well as the remarkable ability of seagrass to colonise new areas when conditions are optimal.

I have had a brilliant experience living and studying in Plymouth. The Marine Research Plymouth (MRP) collaboration has been an incredible source of support throughout my PhD. It enabled me to access the full breadth and wealth of expertise, resources, and facilities across the city’s scientific institutions.

Britain’s Ocean City is hard to beat! I loved living in a place so connected to the sea and marine biology, and I found its strong sense of community to be one of its greatest strengths.

Towards the end of my PhD, during my unfunded write-up period, I secured a role at Project Seagrass as a Senior Scientific Officer. I now lead the North Wales Seagrass Ocean Rescue restoration project, which aims to restore 10 hectares of seagrass by 2026. Balancing the completion of my PhD with this new role was challenging, but I’m glad to say it has paid off.

I intend to maintain strong links with Plymouth through my current role and by publishing the chapters from my PhD research.