!!Projects per year
Perfil personal
Research Expertise
Rachel manages the Marine Spatial Planning section within the Shetland UHI department, Marine Science and Technology. The section undertakes applied research and consultancy projects relating or informing marine management and decision making and is also responsible for delivering the Shetland Islands Regional Marine Plan.
Over the last 15 years Rachel has developed an international reputation in linking interdisciplinary marine science with real-life management opportunities and challenges, including marine planning. Rachel is a regularly invited speaker to conferences and workshops to provide keynotes in the area of marine planning, ecosystem-based management, and integration of local values in marine planning. Rachel’s research sections achievements include:
- development of decision support tools to guide commercial decision making (e.g. offshore renewables, oil and gas, harbour management)
- development of one of Europe’s first and most advanced marine plans in Shetland
- integration of cultural ecosystem services into decision making
- marine value mapping
- inclusion of local knowledge in decision making
Rachel is particularly interested in how different data types can be used as an evidence base to inform effective decision making, and how stakeholder engagement can improve data quality and acceptance.
Rachel is currently accepting PhD students.
Current and recent projects include:
- Shetland Islands regional Marine Plan
- Shetland Community Wildlife Group – Heritage Lottery Funding
- Using marine planning to balance competing demands on the marine environment: International comparisons. MAST-S report to ECCLR committee, Scottish Parliament
- Identification of suitable locations for marine renewables in Scotland
- Participatory mapping of inshore fishing grounds around Shetland
- Fisheries management in the context of shared seas – Fisheries Innovation Scotland
- Invasive Non-Native Species monitoring at key locations around Shetland
Industry and Knowledge Exchange
Rachel regularly works with a range of commercial users including aquaculture, oil and gas, marine renewables, and fisheries and stakeholders, including NGOs, government agencies, and regulators.
Policy and Knowledge Transfer
Rachel is an invited expert and speaker at multiple international workshops developing marine planning, Co-Chair of the MASTS Marine Planning and Governance Forum, member of ICES Marine planning and coastal zone management working group, lead researcher Shetland Marine Planning Partnership, and was invited to provide evidence to Scottish Parliament ECCLR committee.
Cuantificación de educación / académica
Master of Science, The Open University
Fecha de beca: 1 ene 2008
Bachelor of Science, University College of North Wales
Fecha de beca: 1 ene 2003
Posiciones externas
Marine Spatial Planning and Governance Steering Group, MASTS Scotland
1 may 2015 → …
Working Group Member, ICES Working Group Marine Planning and Coastal Zone Management
1 ene 2013 → …
Keywords
- GA Mathematical geography. Cartography
- GE Environmental Sciences
- Marine Renewable Energy
Experiencia relacionada con los ODS de las Naciones Unidas
En 2015, los estados miembros de las Naciones Unidas acordaron 17 Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) para erradicar la pobreza, proteger el planeta y garantizar la prosperidad para todos. El trabajo de esta persona contribuye al logro de los siguientes ODS:
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Affordable and clean energy
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Decent work and economic growth
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Industry innovation and infrastructure
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Sustainable cities and communities
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Responsible consumption and production
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Climate action
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Life below water
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Life on land
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Peace justice and strong institutions
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Partnerships
Huella digital
- 1 Perfiles similares
Colaboraciones y áreas de investigación principales de los últimos cinco años
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Non-native species and biosecurity
Shucksmith, R. (PI), Giesler, R. (PI) & Allan, K. (PI)
1/10/12 → …
Proyecto: Research
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SIMSP: Shetland Islands' Marine Spatial Plan
Shucksmith, R. (PI), Allan, K. (Researcher) & Giesler, R. (CoI)
31/05/06 → …
Proyecto
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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 → 31/03/26
Proyecto: Research
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Shetland Community Wildlife Group
Allan, K. (CoI) & Shucksmith, R. (PI)
6/01/20 → 30/12/22
Proyecto: Outreach
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Beyond Digitalisation in Marine Spatial Planning: Integrating local and Indigenous knowledge in the North Atlantic
Eriksson, R., Shucksmith, R., Bly Joyce, K., Chilvers, M., Kvanneid, A. J., Fradera, K., Wilke, M., Ellefsen, H., Goldsborough, D., Grundvig, K., Kennelly, R. & Jacob, T., 26 may 2026, 519 ed. 10 p.Producción científica: Other report
Acceso abierto -
Community-Led Fisheries Management: Local data delivering regional sustainability & nature conservation
Mouat, B., Harlow, L., Riley, T. & Shucksmith, R., 15 may 2026.Producción científica: Poster
Acceso abiertoArchivo1 Descargas (Pure) -
Integrating local knowledge and data in marine spatial planning and management - Challenges and opportunities in the North Atlantic Region.
Eriksson, R., Shucksmith, R., Bly Joyce, K., Chivers, M., Jacob, T. & Kokorsch, M., 3 ene 2026, 1 ed. 28 p. (University Centre of the Westfjords Publication Series; vol. 1, n.º 1)Producción científica: Other report
Acceso abierto -
Shetland Islands Dominant Marine Biotope Map (2025 update)
Riley, T., Gillanders, S. & Shucksmith, R., 15 jul 2026, 31 p.Producción científica: Other report
Acceso abiertoArchivo5 Descargas (Pure) -
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Footage of Sexual Interactions and Atypical Group Sizes Within Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena) Around Archipelago of Shetland, UK
Smith, S., Giesler, R., Hague, E. L., Hall, K., Allan, K., McCaffrey, N., Shucksmith, R., McWhinnie, L., Wilson, B., Onoufriou, J. & Shucksmith, R., 30 ene 2026, En: J MAR BIOL ASSOC UK. 106, e14, 11 p., e14.Producción científica: Article › revisión exhaustiva
Acceso abiertoArchivo6 Descargas (Pure) -
Benthic habitat distribution within the Fair Isle Demonstration and Research Marine Protected Area
Riley, T. & Shucksmith, R., 1 jul 2025, Shetland UHI: UHI Shetland. 37 p.Producción científica: Commissioned report
Acceso abiertoArchivo57 Descargas (Pure) -
Creating marine restoration and enhancement guidance: key considerations from a Shetland Islands case study
Allan, K., Giesler, R., Riley, T. & Shucksmith, R., 25 ago 2025Producción científica: Policy Briefing
Acceso abiertoArchivo17 Descargas (Pure)
Premios
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UN Ocean Decade Activity Endorsement
Riley, T. (Recipient), Shucksmith, R. (Recipient) & Moncrieff, H. (Recipient), 7 may 2025
Premio: National/international honour
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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 abr 2025
Premio: National/international honour
Actividades
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Opportunities and challenges in locally led marine biosecurity planning and monitoring
Giesler, R. (Speaker) & Shucksmith, R. (Speaker)
29 may 2026Actividad: Oral presentation
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Scottish Regional Marine Planning Forum 2025
Giesler, R. (Participant), Shucksmith, R. (Participant) & Allan, K. (Participant)
28 mar 2025Actividad: Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Shetland's Sustainable Seas
Riley, T. (Organiser), Shucksmith, R. (Organiser), Moncrieff, H. (Organiser), Giesler, R. (Organiser), Allan, K. (Organiser) & Hague, E. L. (Organiser)
2025Actividad: Organising a conference
Archivo -
Exploring Shetland’s Hidden Marine World
Shucksmith, R. (Speaker), Allan, K. (Speaker), Giesler, R. (Speaker), Hague, E. L. (Speaker) & Riley, T. (Speaker)
7 feb 2025Actividad: Oral presentation
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Through the Water Column: Exploring Shetland’s Marine Biodiversity
Shucksmith, R. (Speaker), Riley, T. (Speaker), Giesler, R. (Speaker), Harlow, L. (Speaker), Brigden, K. (Speaker), Hague, E. L. (Speaker) & Moncrieff, H. (Speaker)
10 jun 2025Actividad: Oral presentation
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Restoring Shetland’s Seas: Community Identification of Challenges and Opportunities for Marine Restoration and Enhancement
Riley, T. (Speaker), Giesler, R. (Speaker), Allan, K. (Speaker) & Shucksmith, R. (Speaker)
9 jul 2025Actividad: Oral presentation
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Community identification of challenges and opportunities for marine restoration and enhancement in the Shetland Islands
Giesler, R. (Speaker), Riley, T. (Speaker), Allan, K. (Speaker) & Shucksmith, R. (Speaker)
18 nov 2025Actividad: Oral presentation
Prensa/Medios de comunicación
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Large groups of porpoises surprise observers off the coast of Shetland (United Kingdom)
7/03/26
1 elemento de Cobertura del medio de comunicación
Prensa/medios de comunicación: Research
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Drones capture rare harbour porpoise mating behaviour off Shetland
5/03/26
3 elementos de Cobertura del medio de comunicación
Prensa/medios de comunicación: Research
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Rare Mating Behavior of Harbour Porpoises Documented by Drones off Shetland
5/03/26
1 elemento de Cobertura del medio de comunicación
Prensa/medios de comunicación: Research
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UN Ocean Decade - Shetland’s Sublittoral Blue Carbon Habitats
19/12/25
2 Contribuciones del medio de comunicación
Prensa/medios de comunicación: Research
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Marine plan for shetland
4/12/25 → 5/12/25
7 elementos de Cobertura del medio de comunicación
Prensa/medios de comunicación: Research
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Scotland’s first regional marine plan adopted in Shetland after four year wait
4/12/25
1 elemento de Cobertura del medio de comunicación
Prensa/medios de comunicación: Research
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Marine planning guide launched for Shetland
4/12/25
1 elemento de Cobertura del medio de comunicación
Prensa/medios de comunicación: Research
Conjuntos de datos
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Shetland Islands Marine Spatial Plan
Shucksmith, R. (Creator), UHI Research Repository, 1 abr 2016
https://www.nafc.uhi.ac.uk/research/msp/simsp/simsp
Dataset
Repercusiones
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Marine Spatial Planning and the Preparation of Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs)
Shucksmith, R. (Participant)
Repercusión: Impact › Public policy Impacts
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Shetland Islands' Marine Spatial Plan
Shucksmith, R. (Participant) & Slater, C. (Participant)
Repercusión: Impact › Public policy Impacts, Cultural Impacts, Economic or commercial Impacts, Other Impacts, Quality of life Impacts, Social Impacts, REF2021 case study development