MISS MEGAN SQUIRE

Biography

I am a PhD researcher at the University of Aberdeen and the National Decommissioning Centre, focusing on marine growth communities at offshore energy structures in the North Sea. My overarching research aim is to better understand offshore communities and assess their value to the environment and society, along with improving the accessibility of this knowledge to a wider audience.

I have a bachelor’s in marine biology from Bangor University and a master’s in marine ecosystem management from the University of St Andrews. Although my background is marine biology, my PhD incorporates computer science, engineering and social science methods to produce impactful research relevant to the energy transition. I am interested in improving stakeholder understanding of the energy transition, through the application of 3D visualisations of marine growth on offshore structures. 

Prizes and Awards

Moncrieff Travel Scholarship - Scientific Diving (University of St Andrews)

Research Overview

My PhD research focuses on better understanding the communities associated with offshore oil, gas and wind structures in the North Sea. 

Within my project, 3D models of marine growth have been created, to engage a range of stakeholders with the decommisioning debate in an accessible way. Stakeholders from a range of backgrounds have been included, from industry, academia, school groups, general public, and non-profit organisations.

From previous experience at St Andrews university, I have also gained an appreciation for how marine policy is structured to inform our use of the marine environment, as well as the current gaps in knowledge that may prevent this policy from comprehensively protecting marine life. 

Current Research

My PhD research focuses on the creation and utilisation of 3D models of marine growth on offshore structures for stakeholder engagement. 

Chapter 1: Review of ecosystems services associated with offshore energy structures: Understanding the role of offshore energy structures in ecosystem service delivery: Applying global findings to the North Sea – ScienceDirect

Chapter 2: Review of industry footage for multiple energy platforms

Chapter 3: Calculation of marine growth biomass on North Sea structures, linking to ecosystem service delivery

Chapter 4: 3D Simulation of Marine Growth across different decommissioning scenarios. View the models on Sketchfab: squireM - Sketchfab

Chapter 5: Application of 3D simulations for Stakeholder Engagement

Outputs of my PhD project will be utilised by the INSITE funded READ-ME project and UKRI funded ValMAS project, where applicable. 

Past Research

BSc dissertation: "Influence of artificial reef structure on fish diversity and coral polyp recruitment"

The role of surface texture, material type and structural complexity in assessing artificial reef success was investigated. The recruitment of coral polyps and associated fish biomass and diversity were used as measures of "success". Surface rugosity was a contributing factor in coral polyp recruitment. The presence of small shelters in artificial reefs was the most important factor in attracting smaller prey fish to the area, due to additional shelter and foraging opportunities. 

MSc Dissertation: "Impact of Offshore Wind Farms on fish biological and functional diversity within the North Sea"

With the need to invest in renewable projects heightened by the current climate crisis, along with global initiatives such as the UN goals and Net Zero 2050 (2045 Scotland), it is more important than ever to also understand how these structures impact the marine environment.

Whilst completing a postgraduate degree at St Andrews University, I sought to understand how the presence of wind farms impacted fish populations in the North Sea. Through the use of taxonomic and functional metrics (e.g. species richness, functional richness), I built up a picture of how fish community composition had been effected by the construction of a wind farm. 

Knowledge Exchange

Expanding public and cross-sector awareness of marine growth communities using visualisation techniques is a core focus of this project. 

Completed Outreach:

VR demo and stall - Discovery Zone Tall Ships Festival 2025

Lunchtime Talk and VR demo - Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Interdisciplinary Institute Symposium 2024/25

Talk - ICES conference 

Talk - Porcupine Conference

VR Demonstration - OEUK conference and Exhibition

Outreach Materials: 

- Virtual Reality Headset

- 3D printed display of marine growth models

- Interactive online map of museum specimens

- Projection of models into National Decommissioning Centre's Marine Simulator

- Colouring in sheet of Marine Growth on Offshore Structures

Collaborations

This project is funded by the Interdisciplinary Institute at the University of Aberdeen, and incorporates individuals and learnings from Marine Biology, Geosciences, Engineering and Social Science disciplines. This project includes collaborations with the Scottish Association for Marine Science and Industry, along with public organisations, such as Aberdeen Zoology Museum, National Museum of Scotland, Natural History Museum, and Aberdeen Maritime Museum.