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A student with a passion for ocean conservation has started a PhD at the ��������. 

Over the next three years, Leah Weatherup will analyse ocean pollution data from the GB Row Challenge, and other UK sources, creating one of the most comprehensive views yet of human impacts on marine environments.

The GB Row Challenge is a 2,000-mile event that circumnavigates Great Britain’s coastline. Using a range of sensors and equipment attached to their boats, rowers collect samples of microplastics, environmental DNA (eDNA), temperature, noise and salinity.

Originally from Basingstoke, Leah didn’t grow up by the sea, but she used to go on family holidays to Anglesey in Wales, which sparked her passion for diving at the age of 11. 

She studied marine biology for her undergraduate degree and after a placement in South Africa studying sharks and witnessing first-hand the prevalence of ocean pollution, she returned to the UK wanting to take action.

She said: “Every time I went diving, there would be some rubbish - a plastic bag, remnants of a tyre, there was always something. I got in the habit of taking down a bag every time I went, and it would be full by the time I’d come back up. After a beach clean one day, we filled up eight bin bags in 20 minutes. I returned to the UK really fired up about tackling ocean pollution.”

Now, Leah aims to make a difference on a broader scale, using data to build a compelling case for marine conservation policies. 

A particular focus of the PhD project will be to assess marine protected areas and areas hosting conservation projects to see how they are faring. Leah will also explore how noise pollution changes as free ports are introduced, particularly the impact of continuous underwater noise from shipping in general.

The findings of this research will culminate in a white paper showcasing how collaborative, low-carbon initiatives like GB Row Challenge can support environmental research and conservation. 

Leah added: “My end goal is to create a big picture to bring to policymakers - to show that pollution is a massive issue. I’ll also be working to inform the public about taking action toward sustainable oceans.  

“One of my first projects is to build a map of the UK that links marine protected areas with sewage outlets and spill data, so we can clearly see the impact of human activities on our marine environments.”

As part of the University’s Microplastics research group and the Revolution Plastics Institute, Leah will benefit from a robust research environment and gain access to international expertise in microplastics and environmental policy. 

She’ll work closely with experts from multiple disciplines, drawing from the Institute’s well-established partnerships, including those with the United Nations on plastics policy.