MAF faculty, students, and colleagues present at NOAA’s Social Coast Forum 2018

February 27, 2018

Professors Dr. Tracey Dalton, Dr. David Bidwell, Dr. Amelia Moore and students Talya ten Brink (PhD ’20), Kaytee Cainfield (PhD ’20), Ivy Serwaa Gyimah Akuoko (MAMA ’18), Rennie Meyers (MAMA ’18), and Aislyne Calianos (BA ’18) traveled to Charleston, South Carolina to present their research in oral presentations.

At the session on “Planning for Offshore Energy,” Dr. Dalton and Aislyne presented ongoing research on marine recreational boaters’ response to the Block Island offshore wind farm (BIWF). Talya presented preliminary findings of the impacts of the BIWF on commercial and recreational fishers and on the ecology of the area in her presentation, “Impact of the Block Island on Marine Resource Users”.

Dr. Bidwell, Dr. Moore, and adjunct faculty member Dr. Tiffany Smythe presented their work on social science research priorities, methods and indicators for studying offshore wind energy in the US, and their work studying the effects of the BIWF on recreation and tourism.  Dr. Smythe was also a member of the conference’s Steering Committee.

Kaytee presented on stakeholder engagement in Catalina Island, California with her presentation, “An Island Oasis, but a Desert for Community Influence,” while Ivy presented her research on using social science data to enhance water quality management in coastal Ghana. Ivy also presented another two presentations for Elin Torell (URI CRC) and MAF Ph.D. Candidate Kristine Behran, one on policy implications for vulnerable populations in Ghana, and another on “Mainstreaming Gender in Fisheries Management.” Rennie presented a storytelling presentation on outreach and engagement in coral reef conservation.

All the participants enjoyed the conference, where they engaged with researchers from all over the world, learned about various coastal and marine social science projects and methods, and enjoyed the Southern food and palm tree-studded streets of Charleston.

Talya ten Brink presenting research on the impacts of the Block Island Wind Farm Talya ten Brink presenting research on the impacts of the Block Island Wind Farm

Ivy Serwaa Gyimah Akuoko with colleagues Don Robadue (URI CRC) and Brian Crawford (URI CRC) after her presentation Ivy Serwaa Gyimah Akuoko with colleagues Don Robadue (URI CRC) and Brian Crawford (URI CRC) after her presentation

Rennie Meyers presenting on coral reef conservation engagement Rennie Meyers presenting on coral reef conservation engagement

(Left to Right) Ivy, Dr. Smythe, Dr. Dalton, Dr. Crawford, and Dr. Bidwell talked after watching presentations (Left to Right) Ivy, Dr. Smythe, Dr. Dalton, Dr. Crawford, and Dr. Bidwell talked after watching presentations