Call for Participants: Research on Co-Existence and Co-Location in Marine Spatial Planning Around Ireland

Queen’s University Belfast PhD researcher Rebecca Kavanagh is inviting experts and stakeholders in marine governance and marine sectors to participate in a research study exploring marine spatial planning (MSP) on the island of Ireland.

The project, titled “The Role of Maritime Spatial Planning in Resolving Demands for Space on the Island of Ireland: Competition, Conflict and Co-Existence”, forms part of the EU-funded CoCoMar initiative, a collaborative project between University College Cork and Queen’s University Belfast, with support from the Marine Institute.

The study focuses on understanding the concepts of co-existence and co-location in the marine environment, particularly regarding offshore renewable energy and aquaculture. By engaging with participants through semi-structured interviews, the research aims to gather insights on how these concepts are understood in practice and how they interact with existing marine governance frameworks.

Participants will discuss current marine planning approaches, challenges, and potential solutions for improving shared use of marine spaces. All responses will be anonymised, and interviews will inform policy guidance, academic publications, and stakeholder workshops.

Experts, policymakers, industry representatives, and NGO professionals with experience in marine governance are encouraged to participate.

Consent is required for participation, and the process includes the option to take part in part or all aspects of the study. For more information or to take part in the research, interested stakeholders can use this booking link to schedule a Teams interview at a convenient time. This research contributes to the CoCoMar project’s wider goal of promoting transnational collaboration and sustainable management of marine resources around the island of Ireland.