![Emma McKinley](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1740?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Emma McKinley
Research Fellow
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
Dr Emma McKinley (@EmmaJMcKinley) is a Senior Research Fellow, and has been based at Cardiff University since 2016. Her research focuses on understanding the complex relationship between society and the sea, taking account of diverse types of perceptions, attitudes and values held by different communities and audiences, and considers how this insight can be used to support effective ocean governance.
- Expertise in marine social sciences, marine and coastal ecosystem services, ocean literacy and ocean governance.
- Expert in effective stakeholder and community engagement at local, regional, national and international scales.
- Founder and Chair of the Marine Social Science Network
- Net Zero Innovation Institute (NZII) Theme lead for Nature Based Solutions
Publication
2025
- McRuer, J., McKinley, E., Glithero, D., Christofoletti, R. and Payne, D. 2025. Human-ocean relationships: Exploring alignment and collaboration between ocean literacy research and marine conservation. Marine Policy 171, article number: 106418. (10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106418)
2024
- Wood, K. A. et al. 2024. A global systematic review of the cultural ecosystem services provided by wetlands. Ecosystem Services 70, article number: 101673. (10.1016/j.ecoser.2024.101673)
- McRuer, J., McKinley, E., Glithero, D. L. and Paiz-Domingo, M. 2024. Ocean literacy research community: co-identifying gaps and priorities to advance the UN Ocean Decade. Frontiers in Marine Science 11, article number: 1469451. (10.3389/fmars.2024.1469451)
- Shellock, R., Fullbrook, L., McKinley, E., Cvitanovic, C., Kelly, R. and Martin, V. 2024. The nature and use of Ocean Literacy in achieving sustainable ocean futures: A Systematic Map. Ocean & Coastal Management 257, article number: 107325. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107325)
- McKinley, E., Garcia, M. I., Palacios, M. M., Nichols, C. G., Bhattacharjee, A. and Macreadie, P. I. 2024. Immersive citizen science experiences and their role in changing perceptions of coastal wetlands. People and Nature (10.1002/pan3.10728)
- Buchan, P. M. et al. 2024. A transdisciplinary co‐conceptualisation of marine identity. People and Nature (10.1002/pan3.10715)
- McKinley, E., McElduff, L. and Ritchie, H. 2024. Putting people at the centre of marine governance across the UK and Ireland: 20 years of society and the sea. Ocean & Coastal Management 255, article number: 107235. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107235)
- Cavaleri Gerhardinger, L. et al. 2024. A call for a cultural shift in oceanography. Coastal Management (10.1080/08920753.2024.2370214)
- McKinley, E. 2024. Ocean literacy for an Ocean constitution. Global Constitutionalism 13(1), pp. 25-28. (10.1017/S204538172300014X)
- Germond-Duret, C., Germond, B., Katsanevakis, S., Kelly, M. R., Mazaris, A. D. and McKinley, E. 2024. Thinking outside the ocean-climate nexus: Towards systems-informed decision making in a rapidly changing world. Science of the Total Environment 910, article number: 168228. (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168228)
- McKinley, E. et al. 2024. The human dimensions of harmful algal blooms: An evolving research agenda. Ocean & Coastal Management 259, article number: 107432. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107432)
- McKinley, E., Hughes, E., Georgia, S., Bowyer, C., Fradera, K., Fairbrass, A. and Potts, J. 2024. Bringing the ocean to the stage: performing coastal values and marine management. Ocean and Society 1, article number: 8678. (10.17645/oas.8678)
2023
- Partelow, S. et al. 2023. Five social science intervention areas for ocean sustainability initiatives. npj Ocean Sustainability 2(1), article number: 24. (10.1038/s44183-023-00032-8)
- Pétillon, J. et al. 2023. Top ten priorities for global saltmarsh restoration, conservation and ecosystem service research. Science of the Total Environment 898, article number: 165544. (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165544)
- Kelly, M. R., Kasinak, J., McKinley, E., McLaughlin, C., Vaudrey, J. M. P. and Mattei, J. H. 2023. Conceptualizing the construct of ocean identity. npj Ocean Sustainability 2, article number: 17. (10.1038/s44183-023-00025-7)
- Popova, E. et al. 2023. Socio-oceanography: An opportunity to integrate marine social and natural sciences. Frontiers in Marine Science 10 (10.3389/fmars.2023.1209356)
- Watson, S. M. et al. 2023. Offshore decommissioning horizon scan: Research priorities to support decision-making activities for oil and gas infrastructure.. Science of the Total Environment 878, pp. 1-15., article number: 163015. (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163015)
- McKinley, E., Burdon, D. and Shellock, R. J. 2023. The evolution of ocean literacy: A new framework for the United Nations Ocean Decade and beyond. Marine Pollution Bulletin 186, article number: 114467. (10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114467)
- Francolini, E., Mann-Lang, J., McKinley, E., Mann, B. and Abrahams, M. 2023. Stakeholder perspectives on socio-economic challenges and recommendations for better management of the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area in South Africa.. Marine Policy 148, article number: 105470. (10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105470)
2022
- Herbert-Read, J. E. et al. 2022. A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation. Nature Ecology and Evolution 6, pp. 1262-1270. (10.1038/s41559-022-01812-0)
- McKinley, E., Harvey, R., Ballinger, R., Davidson, K., Griffin, J. and Skov, M. 2022. Coastal agricultural landscapes: Mapping and understanding grazing intensity on Welsh saltmarshes. Ocean & Coastal Management 222, article number: 106128. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106128)
2021
- McKinley, E. et al. 2021. 'Going digital' - Lessons for future coastal community engagement and climate change adaptation. Ocean & Coastal Management 208, article number: 105629. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105629)
2020
- Stafford, R. et al. 2020. Evaluating optimal solutions to environmental breakdown. Environmental Science and Policy 112, pp. 340-347. (10.1016/j.envsci.2020.07.008)
- McKinley, E., Acott, T. and Yates, K. L. 2020. Marine social sciences: looking towards a sustainable future. Environmental Science and Policy 108, pp. 85-92. (10.1016/j.envsci.2020.03.015)
- McKinley, E., Pagès, J. F., Ballinger, R. C. and Beaumont, N. 2020. Forgotten landscapes: public attitudes and perceptions of coastal saltmarshes. Ocean and Coastal Management 187, article number: 105117. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105117)
2019
- Rendón, O. R. et al. 2019. A framework linking ecosystem services and human well-being: Saltmarsh as a case study. People and Nature 1(4), pp. 486-496. (10.1002/pan3.10050)
- O'Leary, B. C. et al. 2019. What is the nature and extent of evidence on methodologies for monitoring and evaluating marine spatial management measures in UK and similar coastal waters? A systematic map protocol. Environmental Evidence 8(1), article number: 34. (10.1186/s13750-019-0178-y)
- Burdon, D. et al. 2019. Expanding the role of participatory mapping to assess ecosystem service provision in local coastal environments. Ecosystem Services 39, article number: 101009. (10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.101009)
- McKinley, E., Pagès, J. F., Wyles, K. J. and Beaumont, N. 2019. Ecosystem services: A bridge or barrier for UK marine stakeholders?. Ecosystem Services 37, pp. -., article number: 100922. (10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100922)
2018
- McKinley, E. and Ballinger, R. C. 2018. Welsh legislation in a new era: a stakeholder perspective for coastal management. Marine Policy 97, pp. 253-261. (10.1016/j.marpol.2018.06.005)
- McKinley, E., Ballinger, R. C. and Beaumont, N. J. 2018. Saltmarshes, ecosystem services, and an evolving policy landscape: a case study of Wales, UK. Marine Policy 91, pp. 1-10. (10.1016/j.marpol.2018.01.021)
- McKinley, E. et al. 2018. Charting the course for a blue economy in Peru: a research agenda. Environment, Development and Sustainability (10.1007/s10668-018-0133-z)
2017
- Verissimo, D. and McKinley, E. 2017. Understanding conservation marketing and focusing on the best available evidence: a reply to Hobson [Letter]. Oryx 51(1), pp. 22-22. (10.1017/S003060531600079X)
2015
- Verissimo, D. and McKinley, E. 2015. Introducing conservation marketing: why should the devil have all the best tunes? [Letter]. Oryx 50(1), pp. 14-14. (10.1017/S0030605315001180)
- Wright, A. J. et al. 2015. Competitive outreach in the 21st century: Why we need conservation marketing. Ocean & Coastal Management 115, pp. 41-48. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.06.029)
- Jefferson, R., McKinley, E., Capstick, S., Fletcher, S., Griffin, H. and Milanese, M. 2015. Understanding audiences: Making public perceptions research matter to marine conservation. Ocean & Coastal Management 115, pp. 61-70. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.06.014)
Articles
- McRuer, J., McKinley, E., Glithero, D., Christofoletti, R. and Payne, D. 2025. Human-ocean relationships: Exploring alignment and collaboration between ocean literacy research and marine conservation. Marine Policy 171, article number: 106418. (10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106418)
- Wood, K. A. et al. 2024. A global systematic review of the cultural ecosystem services provided by wetlands. Ecosystem Services 70, article number: 101673. (10.1016/j.ecoser.2024.101673)
- McRuer, J., McKinley, E., Glithero, D. L. and Paiz-Domingo, M. 2024. Ocean literacy research community: co-identifying gaps and priorities to advance the UN Ocean Decade. Frontiers in Marine Science 11, article number: 1469451. (10.3389/fmars.2024.1469451)
- Shellock, R., Fullbrook, L., McKinley, E., Cvitanovic, C., Kelly, R. and Martin, V. 2024. The nature and use of Ocean Literacy in achieving sustainable ocean futures: A Systematic Map. Ocean & Coastal Management 257, article number: 107325. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107325)
- McKinley, E., Garcia, M. I., Palacios, M. M., Nichols, C. G., Bhattacharjee, A. and Macreadie, P. I. 2024. Immersive citizen science experiences and their role in changing perceptions of coastal wetlands. People and Nature (10.1002/pan3.10728)
- Buchan, P. M. et al. 2024. A transdisciplinary co‐conceptualisation of marine identity. People and Nature (10.1002/pan3.10715)
- McKinley, E., McElduff, L. and Ritchie, H. 2024. Putting people at the centre of marine governance across the UK and Ireland: 20 years of society and the sea. Ocean & Coastal Management 255, article number: 107235. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107235)
- Cavaleri Gerhardinger, L. et al. 2024. A call for a cultural shift in oceanography. Coastal Management (10.1080/08920753.2024.2370214)
- McKinley, E. 2024. Ocean literacy for an Ocean constitution. Global Constitutionalism 13(1), pp. 25-28. (10.1017/S204538172300014X)
- Germond-Duret, C., Germond, B., Katsanevakis, S., Kelly, M. R., Mazaris, A. D. and McKinley, E. 2024. Thinking outside the ocean-climate nexus: Towards systems-informed decision making in a rapidly changing world. Science of the Total Environment 910, article number: 168228. (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168228)
- McKinley, E. et al. 2024. The human dimensions of harmful algal blooms: An evolving research agenda. Ocean & Coastal Management 259, article number: 107432. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107432)
- McKinley, E., Hughes, E., Georgia, S., Bowyer, C., Fradera, K., Fairbrass, A. and Potts, J. 2024. Bringing the ocean to the stage: performing coastal values and marine management. Ocean and Society 1, article number: 8678. (10.17645/oas.8678)
- Partelow, S. et al. 2023. Five social science intervention areas for ocean sustainability initiatives. npj Ocean Sustainability 2(1), article number: 24. (10.1038/s44183-023-00032-8)
- Pétillon, J. et al. 2023. Top ten priorities for global saltmarsh restoration, conservation and ecosystem service research. Science of the Total Environment 898, article number: 165544. (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165544)
- Kelly, M. R., Kasinak, J., McKinley, E., McLaughlin, C., Vaudrey, J. M. P. and Mattei, J. H. 2023. Conceptualizing the construct of ocean identity. npj Ocean Sustainability 2, article number: 17. (10.1038/s44183-023-00025-7)
- Popova, E. et al. 2023. Socio-oceanography: An opportunity to integrate marine social and natural sciences. Frontiers in Marine Science 10 (10.3389/fmars.2023.1209356)
- Watson, S. M. et al. 2023. Offshore decommissioning horizon scan: Research priorities to support decision-making activities for oil and gas infrastructure.. Science of the Total Environment 878, pp. 1-15., article number: 163015. (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163015)
- McKinley, E., Burdon, D. and Shellock, R. J. 2023. The evolution of ocean literacy: A new framework for the United Nations Ocean Decade and beyond. Marine Pollution Bulletin 186, article number: 114467. (10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114467)
- Francolini, E., Mann-Lang, J., McKinley, E., Mann, B. and Abrahams, M. 2023. Stakeholder perspectives on socio-economic challenges and recommendations for better management of the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area in South Africa.. Marine Policy 148, article number: 105470. (10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105470)
- Herbert-Read, J. E. et al. 2022. A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation. Nature Ecology and Evolution 6, pp. 1262-1270. (10.1038/s41559-022-01812-0)
- McKinley, E., Harvey, R., Ballinger, R., Davidson, K., Griffin, J. and Skov, M. 2022. Coastal agricultural landscapes: Mapping and understanding grazing intensity on Welsh saltmarshes. Ocean & Coastal Management 222, article number: 106128. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106128)
- McKinley, E. et al. 2021. 'Going digital' - Lessons for future coastal community engagement and climate change adaptation. Ocean & Coastal Management 208, article number: 105629. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105629)
- Stafford, R. et al. 2020. Evaluating optimal solutions to environmental breakdown. Environmental Science and Policy 112, pp. 340-347. (10.1016/j.envsci.2020.07.008)
- McKinley, E., Acott, T. and Yates, K. L. 2020. Marine social sciences: looking towards a sustainable future. Environmental Science and Policy 108, pp. 85-92. (10.1016/j.envsci.2020.03.015)
- McKinley, E., Pagès, J. F., Ballinger, R. C. and Beaumont, N. 2020. Forgotten landscapes: public attitudes and perceptions of coastal saltmarshes. Ocean and Coastal Management 187, article number: 105117. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105117)
- Rendón, O. R. et al. 2019. A framework linking ecosystem services and human well-being: Saltmarsh as a case study. People and Nature 1(4), pp. 486-496. (10.1002/pan3.10050)
- O'Leary, B. C. et al. 2019. What is the nature and extent of evidence on methodologies for monitoring and evaluating marine spatial management measures in UK and similar coastal waters? A systematic map protocol. Environmental Evidence 8(1), article number: 34. (10.1186/s13750-019-0178-y)
- Burdon, D. et al. 2019. Expanding the role of participatory mapping to assess ecosystem service provision in local coastal environments. Ecosystem Services 39, article number: 101009. (10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.101009)
- McKinley, E., Pagès, J. F., Wyles, K. J. and Beaumont, N. 2019. Ecosystem services: A bridge or barrier for UK marine stakeholders?. Ecosystem Services 37, pp. -., article number: 100922. (10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100922)
- McKinley, E. and Ballinger, R. C. 2018. Welsh legislation in a new era: a stakeholder perspective for coastal management. Marine Policy 97, pp. 253-261. (10.1016/j.marpol.2018.06.005)
- McKinley, E., Ballinger, R. C. and Beaumont, N. J. 2018. Saltmarshes, ecosystem services, and an evolving policy landscape: a case study of Wales, UK. Marine Policy 91, pp. 1-10. (10.1016/j.marpol.2018.01.021)
- McKinley, E. et al. 2018. Charting the course for a blue economy in Peru: a research agenda. Environment, Development and Sustainability (10.1007/s10668-018-0133-z)
- Verissimo, D. and McKinley, E. 2017. Understanding conservation marketing and focusing on the best available evidence: a reply to Hobson [Letter]. Oryx 51(1), pp. 22-22. (10.1017/S003060531600079X)
- Verissimo, D. and McKinley, E. 2015. Introducing conservation marketing: why should the devil have all the best tunes? [Letter]. Oryx 50(1), pp. 14-14. (10.1017/S0030605315001180)
- Wright, A. J. et al. 2015. Competitive outreach in the 21st century: Why we need conservation marketing. Ocean & Coastal Management 115, pp. 41-48. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.06.029)
- Jefferson, R., McKinley, E., Capstick, S., Fletcher, S., Griffin, H. and Milanese, M. 2015. Understanding audiences: Making public perceptions research matter to marine conservation. Ocean & Coastal Management 115, pp. 61-70. (10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.06.014)
Research
My research interests cover a range of topics related to societal relationships with marine and coastal environments, including areas such as:
- Public perceptions of marine and coastal environments
- Ocean literacy, marine citizenship and behaviour change
- Ocean governance, including marine planning
- Sustainbility of coastal communuities
- Community and Stakeholder engagement in marine and coastal issues
- Blue growth
Teaching
- Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, 2015
- Experience in delivering both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
Biography
Dr Emma McKinley (@EmmaJMcKinley) has been a Research Fellow at Cardiff University since 2016. Her research focuses on understanding the complex relationship between society and the sea, taking account of diverse types of perceptions, attitudes and values held by different communities and audiences, and considers how this insight can be used to support effective ocean governance.
Emma has an interdisciplinary background, with an initial grounding in natural sciences having completed a BSc in Marine Biology (University of Stirling), MSc in Marine Environmental Protection (University of Wales, Bangor) followed by a PhD examining the role of marine citizenship in contemporary UK marine and coastal management and policy development (University of Bournemouth). A mixed experienced methods researcher, I apply a range of techniques within my research, and have worked on a diverse spectrum of topics including; marine spatial planning, ecosystem services, public perceptions and attitudes towards marine issues, coastal community resilience and sustainability and the Blue Growth agenda, focusing on supporting a sustainable 'blue' economy. Through numerous collaborations, I have developed strong working relationships with numerous partners including local and regional government bodies, the United Nations Environment Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), NGOs including the RSPB and the Marine Conservation Society, as well as partners across Northern Europe.
My research interests cover a range of topics, with a particular interest in marine and coastal issues. Key areas of interest include: the ongoing application of marine spatial planning as a marine and coastal management tool, ecosystem management and the understanding of the value of ecosystem services across society and industry, understanding public connections with our seas and the role of PPR in marine policy, coastal community sustainability and regeneration, Blue growth, and the application of marketing tools to support more effective communication of conservation messages and overall sustainability.
In September 2018, I founded the Marine Social Science Network, a global, interdisciplinary community of researchers and practitioners working across marine social sciences, which she chairs. I am also the Chair of the Royal Geographic Society's Coastal and Marine Research Group and sit on the Marine Social Science Task Force of the UK's Marine Science Coordinating Committee working closely with relevant authorities to advocate for the inclusion of marine social sciences within decision making for the UK's marine and coastal environment.
Professional memberships
- Chair and Founder of the Marine Social Science Network
Supervisions
I am interested in supervising students on a range of topics across marine social sciences and related topics, including:
- Public perceptions of marine and coastal environments
- Ocean literacy, marine citizenship and behaviour change
- Ocean governance, including marine planning
- Sustainbility of coastal communuities
- Community and Stakeholder engagement in marine and coastal issues
- Blue growth
Impact
Roles in relevant groups and organisations:
- Founder and Chair of the Marine Social Science Network (www.marsocsci.net)
- Chair of the Royal Geographical Society's Coastal and Marine Research Group (https://coastalmarineresearchgroup.wordpress.com/)
- Member of the UK's Marine Science Coordinating Committee's Social Science Task Group
- Member of UK's Marine Science Coordinating Committee's Working Group on Ocean Literacy and Communication
- Sit on a range of Welsh Government groups, including the Wales Marine Advisory and Action Group, and the Marine Planning Stakeholder Reference Group
Public outreach and community/ stakeholder engagement:
- Interim manager of the Severn Estuary Partnership (SEP), supporting a wide range of community and stakeholder engagement and outreach activities, including the recent Natural Resources Wales funded Discover the Severn project.
- Participation in a range of public outreach events including:
- NERC funded 'UnEarthed' Event in Edinburgh, November 2017.
- Soapbox Science Cardiff in 2017
- Pint of Science, Cardiff, 2018
- Eistedfodd in 2017 and 2018
