MVLS Engagement Awards 2022
Published: 7 March 2023
Congratulations to our SBOHVM researchers who have been shortlisted across all 3 categories for this year's awards
MVLS Engagement Awards 2022 - Shortlist
Public Engagement Project(s) Award
Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme Volunteer Network
The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) provides a systematic and coordinated approach to the surveillance of marine species stranded on the Scottish coastline. Central to this work is the citizen science network of 300 trained volunteers that help with data collection, recovery, and transport of stranded marine animals. During 2022, MVLS staff significantly developed both this volunteer network and supporting events, including the ‘Marine Forum’. Hosted at the ARC in Glasgow in November 2022, this event provided an opportunity for the exchange of ideas between researchers, SMASS volunteers, policymakers, and other parties interested in marine science and conservation.
Project Leads: Andrew Brownlow (director and veterinary pathologist), Nick Davison (strandings coordinator) and Mariel ten Doeschate (data manager). All share a role in the SMASS volunteer network with Mariel project lead on the Marine Forum.
Engaged Researcher of the year
Oskar Brattstrom
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, but its natural habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate. Since 2020 Oskar has been coordinating a growing team of engaged young Nigerian 'citizen scientists' who are using butterflies as focal organisms for environmental monitoring. He has produced free digital identification materials, administrated social media channels, and promoted lasting interactions. He has developed a core team that has gradually become more autonomous and are now acting as ambassadors for the project, constantly involving more participants. With Oskar's encouragement one of the Nigerian participants will join the University of Glasgow as a PhD student working within this project.
Download free copies of Nigerian Butterflies – Electronic Field Guides
Engaged Early Career Researcher of the Year – in association with NERDS
Mariel ten Doeschate
Mariel routinely and successfully has been involved in a number of engagement activities for the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) programme, but this past year she has made two exceptional efforts - her input to our volunteer network citizen science initiative and her lead in organising the 2022 annual SMASS Forum.
First published: 7 March 2023
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