Researchers at work on the SSRP project 'Documenting the recovery of the Sussex inshore ecosystem'

SSRP celebrates the completion of five exceptional projects, part of our 8th seed funding round.

SSRP researchers working in Sussex, Indonesia, Brazil and Ecuador have been finalising their innovative and hugely important sustainability projects.

We will be running a series of 'spotlight' blog articles showcasing this research throughout August. The following projects have been completed and will be featured in the series:

'Documenting the recovery of the Sussex inshore ecosystem'. Principal investigators: Dr Valentina Scarponi, Professor Mika Peck, PhD student Alice Clarke. 

This project examined ecosystem and biodiversity recovery on a stretch of the Sussex coast since the establishment of a 2021 law prohibiting trawling in the area, evaluating the potential effectiveness of further trawling bans. 

'Ripple Effect: advancing waterway resilience'. Principal investigator: Dr Lucila Newell. Co-investigators: Dr Ellen Rotheray, Professor Mika Peck.

This project trained volunteers to assess water pollution and biodiversity levels in the Upper River Medway. The volunteers were also interviewed about their relationship to and attitudes towards the river and local nature, to determine how connection with nature can be a pathway to sustainability.

'Understanding place-based knowledge and its boundaries for sustainability transitions'. Principal investigators: Dr Shova Thapa Karki, Dr Bradley Parrish. Co-investigators: Professor Nicholas Nisbett, Dr Bonnie Holligan. 

Through case studies in Sussex and Java, Indonesia, this project examined ways in which local, place-based, 'bottom up' knowledge can factor into sustainability transitions in food systems and supply chains. The researchers held focus groups with various stakeholders in both locations to foreground local knowledge. 

'Revisioning territorial rights in Brazil in the face of resource extraction'. Principle investigator: Dr Bonnie Holligan. Co-investigators: Dr Alex Shankland, Dr Anabel Marin.  

Focusing on the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, this project identified legal solutions to support local traditional communities in the face of resource extraction by mining companies and big agribusiness. 

'Enhancing equitable and sustainable forest restoration in the Ecuadorian Andes'. Principle investigator: Professor Fiona Mathews. Co-investigators: Dr Evan Killick, Dr Joanna Smallwood, Dr Maria-Clara Castellanos.

This project built on previous SSRP-funded work around 'rights of nature' law in Ecuador to mitigate socio-economic disparities and enhance forest conservation in the country. 

A hearty congratulations to all researchers involved in these projects, and we wish them all the best with their future research.