Department: Data Team

My role is that of DASSH Officer on a part time basis, where I conduct digitisation and standardisation activities across a variety of Marine Biodiversity data sets. I am responsible for collating and reporting statistics, liasing with partners and also DASSH team’s social media udates.

I am continuing to study part time and am a second year FdSc Marine Conservation student at Newquay University Centre.  I am part of Newquay Marine Group and have just completed the Marine Mammal Surveyor course with ORCA so hope to volunteer with them later next year.

I joined the MBA at the start of 2023 as the Senior Data Officer for the DASSH (The UK Archive for Marine Species and Habitats Data) team, and am currently working as the Data Manager for DASSH. I hold an MSci (Hons) Biology degree, and developedd my data and technical skills through my previous role in biomedical data management software support. I am a keen SCUBA diver and enjoy putting my marine ID skills to the test when out on dives.

I work in the Data Team to assist with the smooth delivery of DASSH (the UK Archive for Marine Species and Habitats Data) by conducting digitisation, standardisation and quality assurance activities across a range of Marine Biodiversity data sets. Additionally i provide support in collating and reporting statistics, promotion via social media platforms, liaising with partners and stakeholders, recording one off species observations and assisting with contract deliverables.

Prior to this, I worked as a Research Coordinator collating and alalysing data on marine wildlife. I have worked in a variety of subject areas including seagrass restoration, marine litter distribution, marine mammal parasitology, and marine mammal spatiotemporal distribution.

In my spare time I will often be found running along the coast path in Cornwall. I am a member of Cornwall athletic club and regularly participate in races from 5k to 50 miles. I also enjoy swimming, cycling, and climbing.

I am responsible for the management of contracts and staff involved in MarLIN (Marine Life Information Network) since 1999. In particular, project manager on short and long-term contracts for Defra, Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, Crown Estates, and WWF-UK. MBA lead on tenders/contracts 2010-2017.
I developed the MarLIN sensitivity assessment for biotopes (1999-2010). I’m responsible for ongoing development as the Marine Evidence-based Sensitivity Assessment (MarESA) approach. I have written reports and papers on the application of sensitivity assessment and sensitivity mapping in conservation and marine spatial planning, together with reports on environmental impacts, in particular, of wind farms, coasteering, and recreational access to coastal habitats. Working on the use of Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) in sensitivity assessment. Authored, supervised, and/or edited sensitivity reviews of circa 140 marine benthic species and most (circa 400) of UK habitats (biotopes). Responsible for the design and content management of the MarLIN website, CMS, and database. I was the lead author on the EMODNET biological traits hierarchy. I designed a database of ‘environmental solutions’ and port contacts for the ‘ECO-Information in European Ports’ (ECO-INFO) project, and together with the team, the environmental review questionnaire.