Hannah Barnes – MSc Student, University of Portsmouth
We have awarded a research grant to Hannah Barnes, an MSc Student in Coastal and Marine Resource Management. Despite growing up within the East Midlands, Hannah has a strong affinity with the Solent coastline which developed during her time in Portsmouth studying her undergraduate degree, BSc Physical Geography. From a young age, Hannah frequently visited Swansea Bay, Wales and Great Yarmouth Beach, Norfolk during trips to see family. As she got older, she noticed the important relationship between coastal users and the coastline itself – often underappreciated and undervalued by the public despite many coastlines having environmental designations to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable practice of anthropogenic activity. Furthermore, she has developed an interest in marine planning, policy, governance and conservation whilst studying her Master’s Degree and wishes to pursue a career in this sector. During her time studying the Solent, she wishes to participate and make a difference to improve the awareness and understanding of the importance of protected marine areas, improving stakeholder participation in the planning process of marine management for years to come.