Oceans & Society

University of Edinburgh researchers are bridging the gap between academic disciplines in order to find solutions to complex global social and environmental problems. Consisting of ecologists, human geographers, GIS specialists, political scientists, and anthropologists, amongst others, our researchers are working at the environment-society nexus to find solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges.

Research activities include:

• Socio-ecological systems such as socio-ecological co-benefits from sea cucumber farming.
• Transitions to a low carbon society, such as the Climate Resilience Programme.
• Environmental risk and adaption, such as multi-model approaches in climate services.

• Associations between coastal communities and coral reefs and subsequent responses to climate change impacts.

With an increase in technology, we are witnessing unprecedented ocean-sprawl, with industry extending further offshore. As such, sustainably managing trade-offs in complex, marine socio-ecological systems is of critical importance. 

Our researchers take an integrated approach to understand interlinkages between environment, society, and the economy. The University of Edinburgh’s collaboration with Scotland's Rural College brings in research expertise in ecological economics, which aims to understand the complex interactions between socio-economic and biophysical structures and decision-making and sustainability. Our researchers have a particular expertise in research regarding marine ecosystems and their valuation.

Beyond this, researchers have expertise in the application of various multi-disciplinary research methodologies that are directly applicable to marine socio-ecological systems, including Q methodology, Bayesian Belief Networks, Agent-based Modelling, Evidence Synthesis, Multi-Criteria Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Participatory Modelling, Qualitative interviews and focus groups, Participant observation, Photo-voice, Participatory Video, and Performance-based approaches. 

Projects that are related to marine ecosystem economics include: 

• The Ocean and Us, which illustrates the connection between marine ecosystem services and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Cost-benefit analysis of marine ecosystem services and local costs and benefits of expanding marine protected areas. ​​​​​​
• Options for Delivering Ecosystem Based Marine Management to sustainably manage EU regional seas as part of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

• Tourist Preferences for Seamount Conservation in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, which was built from a Marine Systems and Policies MSc research project.