Centre for Systems Thinking: Ocean, Land and Society
Defining problems, identifying solutions
The Centre for Systems Thinking: Ocean, Land and Society champions a whole-system transdisciplinary approach to solutions-oriented research. As ambassadors, we promote understanding and improving complex issues by viewing and addressing the whole of the problem, and train our students to be the next generation of system thinkers.
The centre brings together an unrivalled critical mass of catchment-coast-ocean expertise from across the University’s Strategic Research Institutes to improve planetary health. Typically scientists – natural and social – come together with health, arts and humanities researchers, government, industry and communities, to address 21st century challenges alongside national and international policy. Working in such an interconnected way we can facilitate, and lead, collaborations to co-create large-scale, lasting and nature-positive sustainable solutions that equally support better economic and societal outcomes alongside local to global priorities.
Ocean, land and society
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Connecting academia and stakeholders to maximise societal value in offshore energy: Supergen ORE
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Taking a systems approach to marine pollution: International Marine Litter Research Unit
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Care for the land project: 'Jali Ardhi'
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Marine Protected Areas: Monitoring the Lyme Bay exclusion zone
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South West Partnership for Environment and Economic Prosperity (SWEEP)
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Inclusive decision-making to conservation the oceans: One Ocean Hub
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Mining marine environments for novel biologics: Deep-sea discovery
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Decommissioning – Relative Effects of Alternative Management Strategies
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A science consensus on marine man-made structures: INSITE Synthesis
Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources (CDT SuMMeR)
Designed to deliver the next generation of innovative transdisciplinary engaged researchers, solution providers and practitioners needed to support governmental and non-governmental sectors to ensure sustainable management of our marine resources.
Find out about research and funded PhD scholarships with the
Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources (CDT SuMMeR)
Public Policy
Providing evidence to support policy-making processes
The University of Plymouth has a prestigious record of engaging with and influencing policy, from legislation on microplastics, to innovation in offshore renewable energy to the health of coastal communities. We work with local, regional, national and international partners across a range of complex policy issues including soil erosion, anti-microbial resistance and digital interventions for Parkinsons’ sufferers.
Centre leads
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![Professor Melanie Austen Professor of Ocean and Society]( "Professor Melanie Austen")
Professor Melanie Austen
Professor of Ocean and Society
Director of the Centre for Systems Thinking
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![Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS Director of the Marine Institute]( "Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS")
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS
Director of the Marine Institute
Professor of Marine Biology
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![Professor Mona Nasser Director Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR)]( "Professor Mona Nasser")
Professor Mona Nasser
Director Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR)
Professor in Clinical Epidemiology and Oral Health Research
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![Professor Will Blake Professor of Catchment Science]( "Professor Will Blake")
Professor Will Blake
Professor of Catchment Science
Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute
For further information about the Centre for Systems Thinking, or to collaborate with us, please contact
Mel Austen
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Research centres
Tackling global challenges using a systems thinking approach.
