Alina McGregor

Governing Coastal Realignment in Wales: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Hybrid Governance, Socio-Economic Impacts, and Scenario Modelling

Completion: 01 SEP 2027

Background

BA Sociology / Anthropology. MSC Global Sustainability Solutions

PhD

Governing Coastal Realignment in Wales: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Hybrid Governance, Socio-Economic Impacts, and Scenario Modelling

This PhD project explores how Wales can respond to rising sea levels and coastal erosion through a strategy known as managed realignment, relocating infrastructure and, in some cases, communities inland to restore natural coastal processes. It focuses particularly on the role of public-private partnerships, community engagement, and scenario-based planning within Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs). A mixed-methods approach is used, combining policy analysis, semi-structured interviews, participatory mapping, geospatial modelling, and climate scenario tools. The project also uses tools such as Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways (DAPP) to explore how coastal strategies might shift over time in response to new climate, funding, or political conditions.

In Simple Terms...

I use scenario-based tools and geospatial modeling to help understand how Wales can adapt to coastal changes over time, considering climate, funding, and community needs.

Supervisors

Lead Supervisor
Prof Duncan Russel
Co-Supervisor
Dr Nick Kirsop Taylor
Co-Supervisor
Dr Ricardo Safra de Campos

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