The Marine Knowledge Exchange Network (MKEN) is a rapidly growing network of cross-sector marine stakeholders.
We have the mutually beneficial aims of:
- increasing capacity in stakeholder relevant marine and coastal research
- ensuring marine and coastal research is delivering collaborative impact and application
- helping to realise the social, economic and environmental potential of our seas and oceans.
How to get involved
Our network comprises over 1,100 stakeholders, all with a vested interest in the marine environment. We run and facilitate networking events, and targeted workshops throughout the year.
Members of the network are added to our mailing list and are the first to receive notifications of upcoming events along with our regular newsletter. Membership and almost all events are free. Whether your interest is business-related, policy related or research related we're keen to hear from you.
What we can offer
Access to our network of world-leading marine science researchers
MKEN is based in the internationally renowned School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA), and is run in partnership with the Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).
The School of Environmental Sciences at UEA is one of the best interdisciplinary departments in its field internationally.
Cefas is a world leader in marine science and technology, providing innovative solutions for the aquatic environment, biodiversity and food security. Through the Marine Knowledge Exchange Network you can connect with the large network of expert marine scientists working in these institutions, and their globally connected networks. If your business or institution has a specific problem to address or an idea to realise, we can put you in touch with experts in the relevant field, and help facilitate collaborative research, undertake specific research to meet your requirements, mutually develop research funding proposals to help you access UK government research or EU funds, or offer you bespoke consultancy services.
MKEN is based within the internationally renowned School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA), and is run in partnership with the Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).The School of Environmental Sciences at UEA is one of the best interdisciplinary departments in its field internationally, and was rated 1st for impact of its research in the recent UK Research Excellence Framework. Cefas is a world leader in marine science and technology, providing innovative solutions for the aquatic environment, biodiversity and food security.
Through the Marine Knowledge Exchange Network you can connect with the large network of expert marine scientists working in these institutions, and their globally connected networks. If your business or institution has a specific problem to address or an idea to realise, we can put you in touch with experts in the relevant field, and help facilitate collaborative research, undertake specific research to meet your requirements, mutually develop research funding proposals to help you access UK government research or EU funds, or offer you bespoke consultancy services.
Access to cutting edge marine monitoring technology
UEA is the only UK University to own a fleet of underwater seagliders, state-of-the-art autonomous vehicles for oceanographic research capable of physical and biogeochemical observations.
We currently have a fleet of 5 seagliders in deployment worldwide. Cefas designs and develops bespoke scientific equipment for the marine and freshwater environment which is user-specific, and is not available from anyone else.
Technology developed at Cefas is based on in-depth scientific knowledge and understanding of the marine environment, and includes among others Data Storage Tags for marine animals, Smartbuoys, Water Samplers and ESMx loggers, providing cutting edge technology solutions to your marine monitoring requirements. If you have a need to access any marine technology or have specific data requirements please do get in touch.
Connect with our creative industry partners
In its inaugural year the Marine Knowledge Exchange Network, partnered with local creative industries to overcome the language and technical barriers in marine research communication.
The philosophy behind this approach was to start to build capacity within the creative industries sector to understand the language of marine science to be able to better assist the communications essential for the realisation of long term impact around research outputs.
This successful and mutually beneficial collaboration has resulted in the production of a series of infographics spanning various research, technology and local policy projects, such as the impacts of the 2013 Storm Surge on the Norfolk and Suffolk coastlines, carbon storage in the coastal and offshore marine environment, and a graphic illustration of the Cefas Smartbuoy technology. With our invaluable experience and strong relationship with the creative industries, MKEN can assist you with your research communication goals, and indeed can strengthen your funding bids via pathways to impact at an early stage.
Access to expert technical staff and state-of-the-art laboratories
UEA houses a wide range of state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment which can be accessed for problem solving, sponsored research, consultancy, or research and development.
These laboratories are staffed by highly trained technical staff who work closely with specialist academic staff for analysis and interpretation of results. We offer a vast array of equipment and techniques including gas and liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-Ray fluorescence services, isotope ratio mass spectrometers and a sedimentary fluid dynamics laboratory. In addition Cefas offer state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in Lowestoft and Weymouth, providing support, analysis and research for commercial purposes, including aquatic testing, ecotoxicology, shellfish testing and plankton monitoring and stock assessment.
MKEN would be happy to discuss your specific needs and direct you to the most appropriate facility and technical team.
Access to our network: information, communication and networking
With a growing network of over 900 marine stakeholders representing all sectors, we are well placed to communicate any relevant news, blogs/discussions or events via our regular newsletter and/or website.
We can offer tailored mailings to specific stakeholder groups, relevant event listings on our website or in our newsletter, or even put you in touch with specific stakeholders matched to your professional needs e.g. consortium building, business solutions, policy advice. We can also host a limited number of stakeholder blogs on our website at any one time, enabling you to communicate any exciting news/developments directly to our network.
In line with GDPR regulations we have updated our Privacy Policy. Please note that you can request to be added or removed from our mailing list at any time.
Updated July 2018
This notice reflects the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR),
which came into effect in the UK on 25 May 2018. Please ensure that you read it carefully so
that you understand how we will use your personal data.
The Marine Knowledge Exchange Network (M-KEN) is committed to being transparent about
how it collects and uses these data and to meeting its data protection obligations.
M-KEN is a network which is open to individuals and organisations. M-KEN is managed and
run by the University of East Anglia (UEA). The UEA is a registered data controller and will
collect and use your information in accordance with current UK data protection legislation.
Who this policy applies to
Members of the Marine Knowledge Exchange Network, both individual and corporate.
What information does M-KEN collect?
M-KEN collects name, address and contact details, including email address, mobile and
office numbers.
How we use these data
M-KEN uses the data provided by you in your application to join the network, to share
information which we think may be of interest; this may be directly or for example via our
newsletter. We also use your information to invite you to relevant meetings and events.
Where information may be held
Information may be held at the UEA offices in electronic or hard copy.
How does M-KEN protect data?
M-KEN takes the security of your data seriously. Following UEA internal policies, controls
are in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused or
disclosed, and is not accessed except by UEA data administrators in the proper performance
of their duties.
We may also use third party organisations, known as data processors, to provide certain
services on our behalf, such as events management. In order to deliver these services,
these organisations may have access to M-KEN members’ data. We are required to have
contracts in place with each of these data processors. This means that they cannot do
anything with your personal information unless we have instructed them to do it. They will
hold it securely and retain it for the period we instruct.
For how long does M-KEN keep data?
M-KEN will keep your data in a secure manner for as long as is necessary for the purpose(s)
for which it was collected. If at any stage you wish to remove your contact details from the
database, please send a short message to mken@uea.ac.uk
Updating and review
We will keep this Privacy Notice under regular review and update it as appropriate.
Access to students
We are based at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK. UEA is home to almost 14,000 high calibre students, including undergraduates (e.g. BSc/BA), taught postgraduates (e.g. MSc/MA), and postgraduate research students (e.g. PhD).
M-KEN are able to help facilitate work placements for the mutual benefit of our stakeholders and students.
There are various options available if you are seeking a student or graduate employee, either long- or short-term. If you have a specific project to undertake, you may wish to discuss working with a current student on one of their compulsory research projects under the expert supervision of a member of academic staff, or how the UEA Internship Team can facilitate other project-based internships. Internships can be full-time or part-time, short-term or longer-term and aimed at students at all levels of study or recent graduates.
Alternatively, you may want to consider either hosting an undergraduate Year in Industry student, or advertising a vacancy (student or graduate) for free via our Careers Service. Working with us to fill your vacancies or address specific project requirements is of great mutual benefit.
Working with our students can be a cost-effective way to fill your vacancies and meet your project needs, as well as offering our students much sought after relevant work experience and therefore improving employability. If you're interested, please get in touch and we can discuss your specific requirements and what option would be most suitable for your needs.
Research impact
UEA is home to almost 14,000 high calibre students, including undergraduates (e.g. BSc/BA), taught postgraduates (e.g. MSc/MA), and postgraduate research students (e.g. PhD).
MKEN are able to help facilitate work placements for the mutual benefit of our stakeholders and students. There are various options available if you are seeking a student or graduate employee, either long- or short-term.
If you have a specific project to undertake, you may wish to discuss working with a current student on one of their compulsory research projects under the expert supervision of a member of academic staff, or how the UEA Internship Team can facilitate other project-based internships.
Internships can be full-time or part-time, short-term or longer-term and aimed at students at all levels of study or recent graduates. Alternatively you may want to consider either hosting an undergraduate Year in Industry student, or advertising a vacancy (student or graduate) for free via our Careers Service.
Working with us to fill your vacancies or address specific project requirements is of great mutual benefit. Working with our students can be a cost-effective way to fill your vacancies and meet your project needs, as well as offering our students much sought after relevant work experience and therefore improving employability. If you are interested then please get in touch and we can discuss your specific requirements and what option would be most suitable for your needs.
Our projects
Blue futures
'Blue Futures’ is a collaborative, UEA-led project that connects academics, commercial organisations, practitioners and decision makers to explore potential future opportunities for New Anglia’s ‘blue’ economy.
We work in partnership with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, the Environment Agency, Orbis Energy, the RSPB, Coastal Partnership East, Cefas and Blue Ltd., and funded by a Natural Environment Research Council Innovation grant.
The Blue Futures project ended in 2018. We thank everybody who was involved in their study and invite you to share this publication widely.
Our partners
| Research team | Partners |
| Dr Trevor Tolhurst, UEA Dr Martin Johnson, UEA/Cefas Dr Sophie Day, UEA Dr Irene Lorenzoni, UEA
| Blue Ltd CEFAS Coastal Partnership East Environment Agency New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Orbis Energy RSPB |
Activities to date
The Blue Futures project combines a suite of innovative methods, specifically developed to help the team and our valued participants open our minds to potential long-term areas of sustainable ‘blue’ economic opportunity, linking terrestrial, coastal and off-shore activity:
- Hind- and fore-casting: Looking 100 years back to learn how events and planned activities have influenced the present. Looking 100 years forward to anticipate potential future change and the legacy of present decisions (2016).
- Scenario development and visioning: opening our minds to a range of possible futures and identifying how we would like the future to look and how this may be achieved (2016).
- Card-sorting exercise: enabling the prioritisation of long-term sustainability targets and pathway opportunities for their delivery (2017-2018) in the context of specific locational transects (spanning land, coast and sea) of distinctive character.
Some key findings
New Anglia is unique, distinctive and has huge value socially, environmentally and economically
We should celebrate this and actively pave the way toward positive sustainability outcomes. New Anglia’s unique selling points in the future will be central in driving a stronger tourist economy and will come from recognising, protecting and nurturing our key assets – natural and habitat assets, renewable energy, regional food, local economic diversity and so on.
‘True’ sustainability
There is a need to genuinely embed sustainability into decision making (especially around economic investment) and practice more holistic planning across sectors. This will involve more robust valuation and accounting of environmental and social costs and benefits in economic assessments (recognising the fundamental and underpinning value of natural capital and ecosystem services on all sectors; including moving away from conventional measures of wealth to include health, wellbeing and so on).
Technology and innovation are fundamentally important and cut across traditional sectors and our aspirations for the future
Identifying regionally relevant key opportunity areas for research and development (e.g. renewable on- and off-shore energy, food security comprising agri-aquaculture and fisheries, engineering and skills development, etc.) and creating enabling mechanisms for the uptake of new technology will encourage innovation and enable the region to be a recognised leader in many aspects.
Heralding sustainability good practice
Investment in test-cases and good practice examples which can be learnt from and promoted is key, e.g. examples of adaptive coastal management in practice, partnerships successfully delivering change, sustainable business initiatives, new models of land management, and more.
Adapting to change
Adaptive and anticipatory practices will be a key feature of a sustainable future; preparing for and embracing change, and being ready to seize opportunities arising from system shifts.
Infrastructure is a critical cross-cutting constraint and opportunity
A key issue in visioning a future which more robustly connects on- and off-shore activity, with a view to generating greater economic opportunity in the future. Infrastructure relates to transport, energy systems, natural habitat, communications and more.
Acknowledgements
NERC is the funder of this project. We acknowledge the crucial input of our project partners and workshop participants, and are grateful to UEA and the Marine Knowledge Exchange Network for supporting Blue Futures.
Blogs and members-only content are temporarily unavailable while we redevelop our website content.