Exeter researcher receives prestigious Celebrating Impact Prize

A University of Exeter researcher has been named among the winners of the 2022 Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) prizes.

The ESRC prizes reward social scientists whose work has made a social and economic difference at a local, national and international level.

Now in its 10th year, 60 prizes were awarded to those in the following categories: Outstanding Impact in Business and Enterprise, Early Career, International, Public Policy, Society and the John Hills Impact Prize 2022.

Receiving an award in the ‘Early Career’ category, Dr Buchan’s main research explores the human-ocean relationship, including governance and decision making.

Her winning entry, titled ‘Prioritising Marine Citizenship for Ocean Recovery in Policy and Practice’, shows how her research findings about willingness to change how people manage and use the marine environment is changing policy and practice.

Her work has led to a range of initiatives by local authorities, conservation charities and marine organisations which are changing people’s relationship with the ocean, and includes the development of a template set of pledges to help local governments commit to ocean recovery.

In response to her award, Dr Buchan said: “To win this prize is a huge honour. For me, research is all about addressing complex societal problems, but for research to have impact in policy and practice it needs collaboration and often relies on individuals within organisations who are willing to champion our findings. As such, this is a win for everyone working to establish the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, for the Ocean Conservation Trust and the hundreds of thousands of visitors they connect with the ocean every year.

“I hope that the recognition of this prize will help me to connect with a wider range of organisations around the world and secure funding needed to fulfil the potential that marine identity and marine citizenship have for transforming the relationship humanity has with the ocean on a global scale.

“I’d also love this prize to enable more people to hear about the Motion for the Ocean and write to local councillors to ask their council to put the ocean into policy. The Motion is an evidence-based campaign recognising the power of coastal and inland communities and local government to change how we manage and use the ocean, in ways that have the most impact for the natural world.”

To learn more or find the full list of the ESRC 2022 prizes, click here.