Dr Sue Hull

Sue Hull is an intertidal marine ecologist trying to understand the dynamics of the communities inhabiting rocky coasts, especially those on man-made structures and how we can use ecological engineering to enhance biodiversity. Recently her work on ecological enhancement of sea defences alongside Alice Hall at Bournemouth University won the CIRIA Award for Innovation in 2019. She is also interested in how climate change may impact such systems and how we can try to mitigate against some of the effects by creating new habitat. Sue led the University of Hull hub for the national 'Capturing the Coast' team training citizen science volunteers to survey rocky shores alongside marine biologists to answer key science questions. This successful project has led to a better understanding of our marine environment and engaged people from all walks of life in surveying and understanding our coastal areas.

In addition to a life-long fascination with rocky shores, Sue is an avid bird watcher who works with industry and local wildlife groups to understand habitat use by wading birds. She is part of a research cluster looking at the ecology of birds in the Humber estuary and is particularly interested in how the birds use man-made areas and understanding their activities both diurnally and nocturnally.