UKIRSC 2026-2027 Committee
Mia Hurst
Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews
Email: [email protected] | Bluesky: @miahurst.bsky.social
I’m a PhD student at the University of St Andrews, studying how climate change affects marine ecosystems in the Amundsen Sea, one of Antarctica’s most biologically productive regions. My work focuses on polynyas, open-water areas within sea ice, that provide vital habitat for species like phytoplankton, seals, and penguins. By combining oceanographic and ecological data, I explore how these ecosystems have changed over time and may respond to future climate shifts. My research supports ecosystem-based conservation and management in polar marine regions, which is especially crucial in our rapidly changing climate.
I am looking forward to being a part of the committee this year and meeting you all at the next conference!
Katie Rapson
University of Plymouth
Email: [email protected] | Bluesky: @katie-rapson.bsky.social
Hello! I’m a PhD student based at the University of Plymouth. My research centres on the use of drones, acoustics, and Artificial Intelligence techniques to monitor bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This work is in collaboration with researchers at the University of Aberdeen’s Lighthouse Field station, who have conducted long-term monitoring of these animals for several decades using photo-ID mark recapture methods. Over the next few years I hope to improve our understanding of bottlenose dolphin ecology & behaviour, and inform the management of the UK east-coast population.
I also work as a Doctoral Teaching Assistant, so when I’m not doing my own research, I’m helping to deliver the Plymouth undergraduate courses in marine science and biology – something that I really enjoy. I’m excited to be part of the committee, organise a (hopefully!) great event and get to meet lots of other marine mammal students.
Ellen Hayward
Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews
Email: [email protected] | Bluesky: @ellenlhayward.bsky.social
I’m a PhD student based at the University of St Andrews, within the Sea Mammal Research Unit. My PhD aims to develop a method to estimate the feeding rates of North Atlantic herring-eating killer whales from acoustic, video, kinematic and depth data recorded by animal-attached suction-cup tags. This method can be applied to investigate potential variations in feeding rates linked to prey behaviour, changes in prey abundance or anthropogenic disturbances (eg. naval sonar).
I am very excited to be part of the committee this year, and am looking forward to meeting you all and learning about the interesting work you are doing in January!
Beth Harvey
University of Plymouth
Email: [email protected] | Bluesky: beth-harvey.bsky.social
I’m a PhD student in the Marine Vertebrates Conservation Research group at the University of Plymouth, working in collaboration with the Cefas Noise team. I am researching trends in the abundance and distribution of cetaceans along the south coast of England through visual and passive acoustic surveys, and using passive acoustics to assess exposure to anthropogenic noise. I’ve now attended two UKIRSC conferences which I really enjoyed, and am looking forward to helping run the conference and connecting with more UK marine mammal students!
Myriam Widmann
Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews
Email: [email protected] | Bluesky: @myriam-widmann.bsky.social
I am a PhD student based at the University of St Andrews as part of the Sea Mammal Research Unit. My research focuses on the acoustic communication and behaviour of North Atlantic herring-eating killer whales, using data from animal-attached suction-cup tags. I aim to enhance our understanding of how killer whales adapt their vocal behaviour across various contexts, with a focus on different feeding strategies, as well as responses to anthropogenic noise (naval sonar).
I am very excited to join the committee this year and look forward to meeting you all at the next conference and learning more about the work of fellow marine mammal researchers.
Thomas Stone
University of Oxford
Email: [email protected] | Bluesky: @ecostone1.bsky.social
Hi! I’m a PhD student at the University of Oxford. My research aims to develop and apply novel methods and technologies such as machine learning and drone imagery to help improve our ability to monitor pinniped (seal, sea lion, walrus) populations. Applying these techniques in the field can help us better understand pinniped population trends and responses to potential population threats like climate change or fisheries interactions.
I’m really excited to be a part of the UKIRSC committee and looking forward to next year’s conference!
Duncan MacDougall
Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews
Email: [email protected] | Bluesky: @dmacdougall.bsky.social
I am a PhD student at the Sea Mammal Research Unit (University of St Andrews). My main research interests are in the spatial ecology and movements of marine mammals and the associated challenges for marine spatial planning. I focus on the spatial and temporal dynamics of minke whale distribution and population biology in a Scottish marine protected area, and their broad-scale migrations. Through combining various data sources such as cetacean surveys, photo-ID databases, longitudinal stable isotope records and satellite telemetry, I aim to improve conservation planning for this poorly understood baleen whale.
I am excited to contribute to this great conference alongside other like-minded individuals and to hear about all the research happening throughout these beautiful isles!
Leah Weatherup
University of Portsmouth
Email: [email protected]
I’m a PhD student at the University of Portsmouth, researching how citizen science and distributed monitoring data can improve our understanding of pollution and biodiversity in UK coastal waters. My work is primarily focused on marine acoustics, using data from the GB Row Challenge alongside F-PODs and the COMPASS programme to investigate patterns in underwater noise and marine life. I also draw on a wide range of additional citizen science datasets to complement this, including biodiversity and pollution records. I’m particularly interested in how integrating these data can reveal ecological patterns and gaps in monitoring, and how this evidence can support more effective management of Marine Protected Areas.
I am very excited to be part of the committee this year and can’t wait to meet you all at the next conference!