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Postgraduate Research Associate in Marine Social Ecology

I work as a social ecologist in the Centre for Sustainable Coasts with a focus on Scottish coastal communities, facilitation and connecting people. I practised as a solicitor for several years before moving into the world of marine policy via a Masters degree in Coastal and Ocean Policy at Plymouth University during 2006-2007. My research interests include:

  • identifying and exploring the issues underlying conservation conflicts in coastal communities with a focus on social history and cultural influences that shape relations between humans and nature;
  • the coupled social-ecological aspects of marine policy; and
  • art-science collaborations.

I also work part-time on a PhD which aims to gain insights into the roots of conflicts around environmental designations to protect the marine environment through exploring the local cultural and historical context of the affected community.

 

At the Scottish Marine Institute I am also member of the...

 

Education / career

Research

Research activities

Research associate on...

 

PhD research

Title

  • What lies beneath: probing the cultural depths of nature conservation conflict in the Outer Hebrides

Project description and objectives

  • This project aims to gain insights into the roots of conflicts around environmental designations to protect the marine environment through exploring the local cultural and historical context of the affected community. It focuses on the ongoing conflict around two proposed marine Special Areas of Conservation off the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

Supervisors

 

University

Publications

Publications and presentations

Peer-reviewed journals

  • 
Brennan RE and Valcic B. 2012. Shifting perspectives  - how the masks we wear can facilitate and inhibit channels of communication in the social-environmental policy context. Ocean & Coastal Management 62: 1-8
  • 
Brennan RE and Rodwell LD. 2008. Sustainable Management of wild Irish Atlantic salmon: Keys found through the looking-glass. Marine Policy 32: 1072-1079
  •  
Brennan R. 2007. The North Norfolk Coastline: A Complex Legacy. Coastal Management 35: 587-599

 


Reports

 

 

Teaching

Teaching

Current students

  • Stephanie Horner (MRes, SAMS, 2012)

Past research studets


  • Abi Sutton (MSc, University of Edinburgh, 2011, supervisor) Dissertation title: Policy dialogue mechanisms for successful implementation of co-management strategies in Scotland's inshore fishing sector

 

Teaching activities

 

External

External activities / measures of esteem

Facilitation skills

  • The Work that Reconnects Facilitator Training Course, UK (2010)

  • Facilitation Skills and Stakeholder Participation Training Course, Dialogue Matters, UK (2007)

 

External committees

  • Advisory Group member to the Small Isles and Mull Inshore Fisheries Group

 

Public engagement

  • Co-facilitator at public meetings run by Argyll and Bute Council to inform and develop a draft ICZM Plan for Loch Etive, North Argyll (2010).
  • Oban Festival of the Sea 2010: Marine Environment Workshops for Primary 3-5
  • Participation in SAMS Open Days 2009, 2010

 

Prizes, awards and bursaries

  • Butterworths Ireland Law Prize, Trinity College Dublin (1994)
  • Foundation Scholarship (1995)
  • Trinity College Dublin Julian Prize (1997)
  • University of Plymouth Masters Scholarship (2006)

 
 
My contact details

Ruth Brennan SAMS

Ruth Brennan

E: ruth.brennan@sams.ac.uk

T: +44 (0)1631 559 229

M: +44 (0)7922 237914

F: +44 (0)1631 559 001

Scottish Marine Institute

Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA, UK