Green Gown Awards 2016 – Research and Development: Student – Will Barber – Finalist

Will Barber, Coventry University

Completed by Will Barber in the final year of a BSc in Geography, the project was pioneering in using fishers’ knowledge to help assess the implications of climate change upon fisheries, addressing an important research gap for both the industry and marine science.

Will continued to work on the project for two months with the Centre of Agroecology, Water and Resilience at the University, and has presented to multiple audiences of students and researchers. Will was particularly interested in how fishers’ observations compared with current scientific understanding, finding both similarities and contrasts. He identified four climate issues which influence the UK fishery industry: sea temperature changes, changes in storminess, ocean acidification and sea level rise.

Will is currently aiming to publish findings in the academic journal Global Environmental Change, and inspire other students to deliver innovative research projects that contribute towards sustainability goals.

Top 3 learnings

1 Listen to and understand the main issues affecting livelihoods and communities before discussing sustainability, so people are engaged and sustainability is explored in the context of the situation.

2 Carry out research which addresses knowledge gaps and then ensure the findings are communicated

3 Inspire others to work towards sustainability goals as much as possible.

Videos

• Will Barber, Coventry University (click to hide)