Ocean-Focused Education and Research Thrives in Portsmouth

Located in the UK's only island city, Portsmouth has leveraged its natural deep-water harbour and rich maritime history to become a hub for ocean-focused education and research. The University of Portsmouth, a leading research institution, is at the forefront of this movement, offering students the opportunity to engage in groundbreaking research and contribute to policy-making and blue economy strategies worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

• The University of Portsmouth has developed a strong network with policymakers, working on initiatives such as the Blue Economy Strategy for Africa, covering 54 countries, and a separate strategy for 10 countries in Asia.
• The Centre for Blue Governance, led by Professor Pierre Failler, conducts research projects on the protection, restoration, and sustainable governance of aquatic environments, a critical area given that aquatic environments cover over 70% of the planet's surface.
• The Institute of Marine Sciences, situated near Langstone Harbour, allows researchers to monitor and test diverse marine environments and seawater, providing valuable insights into human impacts on ecosystems and marine life.
• The Solent Seascape Project, endorsed by the United Nations, and the Blue Marine Foundation's Solent Oyster Restoration Project aim to restore multiple habitats, including oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, and saltmarsh, to revive struggling coastal waters.
• Research at the University's Revolution Plastics Institute has found pollution levels around Britain's coastline are up to 100 times worse than previously recorded, with students discovering fibreglass contamination in oysters and mussels and undertaking noise pollution mapping.
• Portsmouth is a progressive and dynamic university with an outstanding reputation for innovative teaching, outstanding learning outcomes, and globally significant research and innovation, as evident in its ranking 5th in overall satisfaction for research degrees and 9th in England for learning resources.
• The university provides students with a high-quality education that prepares them for the future through actively incorporating research into the undergraduate learning experience.

Statistics:

• Aquatic environments cover over 70% of the planet's surface.
• The global value of oceans to the economy is substantial, highlighting the importance of understanding and protecting them.
• The University of Portsmouth's research power was ranked third among modern UK universities in the Times Higher Education REF rankings.
• The university was ranked 5th in overall satisfaction for research degrees in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES).
• Portsmouth ranked 9th in England for learning resources in the National Student Survey (NSS).
• Britain's coastline pollution levels are up to 100 times worse than previously recorded.
• The University of Portsmouth has a strong reputation for innovative teaching, outstanding learning outcomes, and globally significant research and innovation.

Sources:

• Byline: The Newsroom Portsmouth
• University of Portsmouth: University website
• Professor Pierre Failler: Director of the Centre for Blue Governance and UNESCO Chair in Ocean Governance
• Institute of Marine Sciences: University of Portsmouth research centre
• Revolution Plastics Institute: University of Portsmouth research centre
• National Student Survey (NSS): www.nss.ac.uk
• Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES): www.pres.ac.uk
• Times Higher Education REF rankings: www.timeshighereducation.com
• Blue Marine Foundation: bluemarinefoundation.com
• United Nations: un.org
• Clearing: www.port.ac.uk/Clearing
• University of Portsmouth: port.ac.uk