The Centre for Coastal Conservation is currently developing accredited courses of direct relevance to coastal managers and marine industry personnel. The courses are drawing in experts from the fields of seabed mapping, scientific diving, environmental monitoring and data collection and GIS in order to give participants up to date information and the means to transfer cutting-edge research into practical solutions for coastal management issues and problems. Public Understanding of Science Staff within the Centre have a proven track record of delivering science throughout the community. The School of Conservation Sciences runs the University's Continuing Education Department which provides the community with a wide range of learning opportunities from short courses and conferences to evening lectures and dayschools. In recognition that 1998 is UN International Year of the Ocean a series of public lectures with a marine theme has been organised covering topics as diverse as wealth of the oceans, marine conservation initiatives from around the world and marine archaeology.
Staff regularly give talks and presentations to local interest groups on marine and coastal topics.
Staff in the Centre have received awards for public outreach. Research and Consultancy Centre staff have an international research profile. They regularly publish in professional journals and give presentations at international and national conferences. Research interests and expertise include coastal zone management, coastal and seabed geomorphology, cliff ecology, water quality, tourism, marine conservation, interpretation and education. Research carried out in the Centre aims to be highly applicable to coastal management and consequently staff work closely with practitioners and interest groups at local and national level.