Dr Michelle Devlin

ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE SCIENCE THEME LEAD

I have worked in exploring the interactions between the environment and people in coastal, marine and catchment habitats, including rivers, estuaries, coral reefs and temperate environments, with specialist skills in: assessing eutrophication risk and vulnerability, coral reef dynamics, policy analysis and advice, water quality, impact assessment and catchment management.

In recent years, my UK work has included leading on the work delivered in the Pacific under the Commonwealth Marine Economies Program and now leading on marine pollution under the UK Ocean Country Project Partnerships, working on solutions around marine pollution and coastal habitats and incorporating nature-based solutions. I have had many years of field program capability, working in remote areas, leading small and large teams across a myriad of different coastal habitats and coral reef systems.

My research has specialised in environmental monitoring of water quality, coral reefs and the provision of advice on coastal impacts to managers and policy makers, focusing on fate and consequence of pollutants in the freshwater, coastal and offshore marine waters, and establishing links between the freshwater zone and marine habitats and biodiversity. I have enjoyed working in the design, implementation and evaluation of monitoring programs to assess environmental impacts of human activity on the marine and coastal zone, including publishing over 200 research and policy papers on coral reefs, pollution issues, pollutant transport and impacts on coastal systems.

I have been lucky to work across the world, with a significant amount of time on the implementation of research outcomes into Australian and UK/European marine strategies. I have a keen interest in the development and delivery of programs which have contributed directly to policy development and government change.

Research publications: Google Scholar and ResearchGate

Contact Details:

michelle.devlin@cefas.gov.uk