The University of Liverpool and the National Oceanography Centre have launched the Institute for Sustainable Coasts and Oceans (ISCO) as part of a new strategic partnership.
The new Institute is a collaborative venture that brings together marine scientists, social scientists, engineers and economists to meet the challenges of a changing ocean and a changing coastal population.
It will provide the improved connectivity between experts in these different fields and through world-class research will provide the knowledge needed to deliver sustainable management of the coast and our coastal seas.
Key challenges
Professor George Wolff, Head of the School of Environmental Sciences, said: “One third of the world’s population lives in the coastal zone. Coastal seas are vital for transportation, food and energy production, tourism and leisure.
“I envisage that this new Institute will become an important international centre for marine research, as well as a key player in helping find solutions for many of the key challenges that faces our society today.”
The NOC and the University have collaborated successfully for many years, particularly in the areas of ocean climate and sea level rise, observations and computer modelling of complex shelf sea systems, and marine renewable energy.
Internationally recognised
ISCO will further develop the partnership’s research base, building wider stakeholder collaborations to become an internationally recognised centre of excellence for joined-up research with an emphasis on societal impacts.
The NOC’s Kevin Horsburgh, who will head up the new centre, said: “The Institute for Sustainable Coasts and Oceans will build on our already strong partnership with the University to turn marine science into societal benefit, particularly at the coastline and in response to our changing climate.
“The wider collaboration will boost the quality of our science and will also strengthen both our relationships with industry and the blue economy.”
