Our People

Dr Katie Smyth is a marine biologist with over 13 years’ experience in assessing human impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Her research has focused on the effects of saline discharges on commercially important crustaceans and the development of welfare-focused transport systems for brown crab under the EU ACRUNET INTERREG project. Katie also contributed to the H2020 CERES project, evaluating climate change risks to fisheries, aquaculture and coastal communities. She provides scientific and technical advice to statutory bodies and industry, specialising in ecological assessments of shellfisheries, benthic habitats, lagoons and avifauna. Her work supports marine planning and risk modelling for activities such as dredging, pipeline installation and offshore wind development. With expertise in stakeholder engagement, policy analysis and statistical modelling, Katie plays a key role in shaping sustainable marine management strategies. Her interdisciplinary approach ensures that ecological insight informs practical decision-making across marine and coastal environments.

Dr Daryl Burdon is a marine scientist and ecological economist with over 20 years’ experience in research, teaching and consultancy. Formerly Senior Ecological Economist at the Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS), University of Hull, he has developed a reputation for bridging marine science and society through interdisciplinary approaches. His expertise spans estuarine biology, natural capital, ecosystem services, stakeholder engagement, marine law and policy. Daryl has led and contributed to major European research programmes (FP5–H2020), securing funding from public and private sectors including UK Government, research councils, NGOs and industry. He has published widely and presented internationally, with a focus on conservation and management challenges facing coastal and marine environments. Daryl is actively involved in marine policy networks, including the UK Marine Science Co-ordination Committee’s Marine Social Science Task Group, and serves as a JNCC Business Associate, Seafish Expert Panel member, and Chair of the Humber Nature Forum.

Dr Krysia Mazik is a marine ecologist and Senior Lecturer in Marine Biology at the University of Hull. With a background in environmental science and water resource management, her PhD explored how estuarine invertebrates influence their physico-chemical environment. Over the past two decades, Krysia has led and contributed to research on habitat restoration, contaminant impacts, and ecological change across UK and European coastal systems. Her work includes both field and laboratory studies, and she has delivered commissions for industry, statutory bodies and NGOs. Krysia has supervised postgraduate research on both contemporary and palaeoecological topics and teaches across a broad curriculum including renewable energy, environmental impact assessment and marine ecology. Her research continues to inform policy and practice, particularly in relation to habitat dynamics and the ecological consequences of human activity in estuarine and coastal environments.

Professor Jonathan Atkins is an environmental economist with expertise in applied microeconomics, particularly in relation to marine and terrestrial ecosystems and renewable energy. Based at Hull University Business School, he has contributed to over 30 multidisciplinary projects, collaborating with scientists and practitioners across disciplines. His work focuses on the economics of ecosystem services, valuation techniques and stakeholder engagement, and has been funded by the European Union, UK research councils and a range of governmental and non-governmental organisations. Jonathan has published widely in academic journals and contributed to book chapters and technical reports, with a Scopus h-index of 17. His research supports evidence-based decision-making in environmental management and policy, and he continues to play a key role in integrating economic perspectives into ecological and sustainability frameworks.

Steve Barnard is an environmental consultant and researcher with over 30 years’ experience in marine and freshwater conservation, fisheries management and stakeholder engagement. A graduate of the University of Wales, Cardiff, Steve has worked across government, academia, industry and the third sector in both the UK and Canada. His expertise includes marine protected area designation, ecological impact assessment, policy development and the facilitation of stakeholder workshops. Steve joined the former Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS) at the University of Hull following his work on the Net Gain MCZ Project. He has contributed to the development of decision-support tools and frameworks, applying expert judgement and data aggregation methods to assess biodiversity status. His work continues to support marine planning and conservation initiatives, with a focus on collaborative approaches and practical solutions for managing pressures on marine habitats.

Suzanne Boyes is a researcher specialising in marine, coastal and estuarine governance. With a background in physical geography and over 30 years’ experience, she has developed expertise in legislative mapping and administrative analysis for maritime spatial planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management. Sue is known for creating visual frameworks that clarify the complex relationships between statutory instruments and regulatory bodies. Her work has supported commissions for government agencies and regulatory authorities, and she has published widely on coastal and estuarine systems. Sue’s research continues to inform policy and planning, offering practical insights into the governance structures that shape marine and coastal management.

Professor Andrew Lawrence is a marine biologist with over 25 years’ academic experience, currently serving as Head of Biological Sciences and Associate Dean of Science and Engineering at the University of Chester. His research has focused on coral reef and mangrove ecosystems across the Caribbean and Red Sea, with fieldwork conducted in Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Belize, St Lucia, Jamaica and Barbados. Between 2008 and 2012, Andrew was Professor of Environmental Biology at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad, where he led regional biodiversity initiatives including an EU ACP Edulink project. He has co-led workshops on coastal zone management and ecosystem valuation, collaborating with the Institute of Marine Affairs and UNEP to support policy development across 16 Caribbean and Central American nations. Andrew’s work continues to bridge science, education and policy, with a focus on sustainable coastal management and biodiversity conservation.

Dr Shona Thomson is a geospatial scientist with extensive experience in spatial data analysis and environmental applications. Her expertise spans remote sensing, GIS, and fluvial modelling, with a strong technical foundation in interpreting aerial imagery, LiDAR-derived DEMs, and multispectral satellite data (Sentinel 2 and 3). Shona has designed and delivered field studies across diverse terrains—by plane, boat, hovercraft and on foot—and her PhD focused on hydrological modelling, flood estimation and river morphology. She is highly numerate, with advanced data handling and programming skills (C++), and applies these to evidence-based problem solving in marine, coastal and estuarine contexts. Shona has published scientific articles and delivered commissions for industry and statutory bodies. She is Director of Thomson Geospatial Ltd and has held roles at IECS (University of Hull), the Environment Agency, and Xerox. Her work continues to support spatially informed decision-making across environmental research and consultancy.

Gemma Smith is an early career researcher with a background in law and marine management. She holds a BA in Law and an MSc in Marine Assessment and Management, where her thesis explored stakeholder roles in Environmental Impact Assessment. Gemma is currently undertaking PhD research on socio-ecological systems in marine management, with a focus on indicators of change in estuarine, coastal and marine environments. She has experience in systems analysis and the integration of complex datasets to support evidence-based decision-making. Gemma contributes to HorizonEurope projects at IECS Ltd, where she applies her interdisciplinary skills to marine planning and policy development. Her work bridges legal, ecological and social dimensions of marine governance, supporting the advancement of sustainable management frameworks.

Dr Amanda Gregory is a systems analyst and Senior Lecturer at Hull University Business School, with a research focus on socio-ecological systems and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental management. She works closely with IECS Ltd, applying systems thinking to marine and coastal contexts. Amanda has published widely and advised industry and government bodies on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and sustainability. Her expertise lies in translating complex systems into actionable insights, supporting collaborative decision-making across sectors. Amanda’s work continues to inform policy and practice, particularly in the integration of ecological and social perspectives within marine management frameworks.

Nick Cutts is a researcher and consultant with over 30 years’ experience in estuarine and coastal ecology. Formerly Deputy Director of IECS at the University of Hull, he now leads CHEEM Ltd, delivering bespoke ecological consultancy services. Nick specialises in estuarine ornithology, particularly bird disturbance and mitigation, and the restoration of degraded systems to enhance connectivity, biodiversity and flood resilience. His expertise includes ecological assessments (PEI, EIA, EcIA, HRA) for infrastructure projects across sectors such as ports, energy, and renewables. Nick has advised government agencies including the Environment Agency on strategic flood risk and ecosystem management. His work combines scientific rigour with tailored client-focused solutions, supporting sustainable development in sensitive coastal environments.

Krystal Hemingway is a coastal ecologist and Director of CHEEM Ltd, with over 25 years’ experience in environmental consultancy and estuarine ecosystem management. She has worked with IECS at the University of Hull and the Cambridge Coastal Research Unit, contributing to European projects including the Interreg-funded TIDE initiative. Krystal’s expertise includes sustainable management strategies for ecosystem pressures, bird disturbance impacts, and habitat restoration. She has led assessments for EIA and HRA processes across a range of development types, including pipelines, ports and offshore wind farms. Her work supports planners and regulators with practical mitigation tools, and she has published widely on estuarine ecology and management. Krystal’s approach blends ecological insight with strategic planning, helping to shape resilient coastal systems.

Dr Roland Cormier is a marine environmental risk specialist with over 40 years’ experience in fisheries, seafood safety and ecosystem management. He holds a PhD from the University of Hull and has worked across Canada, Europe and internationally, including roles at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Roland’s expertise includes HACCP-based risk management, habitat protection, cumulative effects assessment and marine planning policy. He is a guest scientist at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Germany), co-chairs ICES Working Groups on cumulative effects and marine planning, and leads regulatory frameworks for UN SDG 14 within UNECE. Roland is also Associate Professor at Université de Moncton and lectures globally. His work focuses on the effectiveness of environmental measures, supporting science-based governance in marine and coastal systems.