I specialise in coastal research and am a professional water safety practitioner. Improving the coastal environment and encouraging participation in water sport activity, through safe management is a key motivator for me. Key Projects Author and Manager of the National Water Safety Management Programme (HSE endorsed), the UK's primary water safety training programme. Project management for development of the new Beach Lifeguard and Beach Trainer Assessor programmes, E-learning first aid resource.Previous Positions• Vice Chair of the International Life Saving (Europe) Rescue Commission• Member of the UK National Water Safety Forum Beach Advisory Group (Vice Chair for 3 years)• Director of Vibe Creative, a specialist social enterprise company based in South Wales, providing multimedia services to all sectors of the communityPrevious RoleCoastal Manager for the Vale of Glamorgan Council for three years. Primary responsibilities included strategic development of a comprehensive coastal management plan for the county, management of 26 miles of coastline and 35 staff and lead advisor on all water safety issues. Additionally, I had responsibility for Managing Events and management of the Tall Ship Festival which attracted over 20 000 people each year.Academic BackgroundPersonal interest in coastal management research, completing a Masters Degree in Coastal Zone Management and a Ph.D. in Coastal Science. Held three post-doctoral coastal research positions at the University of Sydney (Australia), University of Algarve (Portugal) and Cardiff University (Wales), focused mainly on integrated coastal management.