Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Expertise
Rebecca is an interdisciplinary researcher, with experience in the fields of marine ecology and non-native species, marine governance and policy, and marine spatial planning. She is also interested in community involvement in data production and the role of knowledge transfer, science communication and data management in developing effective marine management.
In her role at UHI Shetland within the Marine Spatial Planning team, she works on the development and implementation of the Shetland Islands Regional Marine Plan (SIRMP). Rebecca coordinates the marine non-native species monitoring work carried out under the SIRMP and Shetland Biosecurity Plan. She also leads on a SMEEF funded project mapping Shetland's seagrass beds using drone surveys and citizen-science.
Rebecca is a member of the Scottish Government Working Group on Non-native Species and contributed to the 2023 horizon scanning report on the Spread of invasive species into Scotland. She also sits on the British Ecological Society Special Interest Group on invasive species. She has organised a number of outreach events at UHI Shetland through the work of the Shetland Community Wildlife Group.
Background
Rebecca graduated with a BA (Hons) Oxon in Biological Sciences at the University of Oxford in 2012. She then studied for a MRes in Ecosystem-based Management of Marine Systems at the University of St Andrews and the Scottish Association for Marine Sciences (SAMS), where she worked on a research project investigating the distribution of marine invasive species around the Isle of Man. In 2014, she started a PhD at the University of Edinburgh and SAMS in Oban looking at the impact of salinity as a management measure on marine invasive species. Her research used rapid assessment surveys and settlement panels to investigate the distribution of marine invasive species around mainland Scotland.
During her PhD, Rebecca spent three months at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology working with the House of Commons Library, which furthered her interest in environmental legislation and policy. She has also worked as a policy officer at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT).
Prior to joining UHI Shetland, Rebecca worked as a researcher in the Earth Institute, University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland. She supported an expert group preparing a report on expanding Marine Protected Areas in Ireland. Her post-doctoral project investigated the use of modelling to support management of marine non-native species in Ireland.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Science, Marine Invasive Species, School of GeoSciences University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FE United Kingdom
1 Aug 2014 → 30 Jan 2019
Award Date: 1 Nov 2019
Master of Research, Ecosystem-based Management of Marine Systems, University of St Andrews
1 Sept 2012 → 31 Aug 2013
Bachelor of Arts, Biological Sciences, University of Oxford
1 Oct 2009 → 1 Jul 2012
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Collaborations from the last five years
Projects
- 5 Active
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Restoring Shetland's Marlie Meadows
Giesler, R. (PI), Allan, K. (Researcher) & Harlow, L. (Researcher)
1/04/25 → 31/03/28
Project: Research
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MREAP: Marine Restoration and Enhancement Action Plan for the Shetland Islands
Riley, T. (PI), Shucksmith, R. (CoPI), Giesler, R. (Researcher) & Allan, K. (Researcher)
1/08/24 → …
Project: Research
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Non-native species and biosecurity
Shucksmith, R. (PI), Giesler, R. (PI) & Allan, K. (PI)
1/10/12 → …
Project: Research
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SIMSP: Shetland Islands' Marine Spatial Plan
Shucksmith, R. (PI), Allan, K. (Researcher) & Giesler, R. (CoI)
31/05/06 → …
Project: Research
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Guiding Principles for Marine Restoration and Enhancement in the Shetland Islands: Insights from Community Feedback
Riley, T., Giesler, R., Allan, K. & Shucksmith, R., 25 Apr 2025, UHI Shetland. 28 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Open AccessFile6 Downloads (Pure) -
Shetland Marine Planning Partnership Response to the Scottish Government consultation on the National Marine Plan 2 Planning Position Statement
Shucksmith, R., Giesler, R. & Pallant, S., 7 Feb 2025, (Unpublished) 26 p..Research output: Policy briefing or response › Consultation Response
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Citizen-science monitoring of Harbour Porpoises in Shetland
Allan, K., Giesler, R., Smith, S., Wilson, B., McWhinnie, L., Hall, K. & Shucksmith, R., 10 Jan 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
File16 Downloads (Pure) -
Gathering Community Voices: Initial Findings on Marine Restoration Challenges and Opportunities in Shetland
Riley, T., Giesler, R., Allan, K. & Shucksmith, R., 18 Dec 2024, 15 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Open AccessFile71 Downloads (Pure) -
Lessons from a decade of surveillance in Shetland can improve future strategic monitoring
Giesler, R. J. & Shucksmith, R., 16 May 2023.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
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Predicting the export of retention-oriented larvae from their natal population using coastal features: a modelling study on the Pacific oyster
Clavel-Henry, M., Dabrowski, T., Giesler, R., Crowe, T. & Yearsley, J., 7 Dec 2023, In: MEPS. 724, p. 81-95 14 p., 14456.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Mapping Ireland's Marine Invasive Species: Applying modelling approaches to assess the spread and management of marine non-indigenous species
Giesler, R., Clavel-Henry, M., Crowe, T. & Yearsley, J., 2022, 146 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open AccessFile89 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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UN Ocean Decade Endorsement - Marine Restoration and Enhancement Action Plan
Riley, T. (Recipient), Giesler, R. (Recipient), Allan, K. (Recipient) & Shucksmith, R. (Recipient), 7 Apr 2025
Prize: National/international honour
Activities
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Scottish Regional Marine Planning Forum 2025
Giesler, R. (Participant), Shucksmith, R. (Participant) & Allan, K. (Participant)
28 Mar 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Searching for Shetland's Lost Seagrass
Giesler, R. (Speaker)
24 Feb 2025Activity: Talk / Presentation / Podcast / Webinar › Invited talk
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Exploring Shetland’s Hidden Marine World
Shucksmith, R. (Speaker), Allan, K. (Speaker), Giesler, R. (Speaker), Hague, E. L. (Speaker) & Riley, T. (Speaker)
7 Feb 2025Activity: Talk / Presentation / Podcast / Webinar › Oral presentation
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Shetland Climate Yarns: Sea Temperatures
Giesler, R. (Member)
18 Feb 2025Activity: KE and Outreach activities › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation
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INTENSIVE SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDIES (ISAGS) “Assessment of fouling alien species in ports with the SERC protocol and experimental applications”
Giesler, R. (Participant)
8 Jan 2024 → 12 Jan 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Scottish Regional Marine Planning Forum 2024
Giesler, R. (Participant) & Shucksmith, R. (Participant)
12 Nov 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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ICMB International Conference of Marine Bioinvasions
Giesler, R. J. (Participant)
15 May 2023 → 19 May 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
Press/Media
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BBC Radio Shetland 'Beyond the Briggistanes' - new non-native sea-squirt in Shetland
21/03/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research