Governance for Sustainable Development

This interdisciplinary research programme explores how sustainable development is understood, governed and translated into policy and practice across global and local contexts. Through collaborative research spanning governance, communities, landscapes and coastal environments, the programme examines how international sustainability agendas are interpreted and implemented by organisations, policymakers and communities, generating practical insights that support resilient places and positive environmental, social and economic outcomes. 

This interdisciplinary research programme explores the governance of sustainable development, examining how environmental, social and economic challenges can be addressed through collaborative decision-making, institutional innovation and environmental stewardship. 

Building on research into sustainable development, reflexive governance and risk, the programme brings together empirical studies relating to local governance, community resilience and coastal environments to understand how organisations, communities and policymakers respond to complex sustainability challenges. Working closely with public, private and third-sector partners, the research generates practical insights that inform policy, support decision-making and promote sustainable futures. 

The programme combines academic excellence with applied research and knowledge exchange to deliver positive outcomes for people, places and the natural environment. 

Collaboration is a defining characteristic of this research programme. Over more than two decades, the programme has developed through partnerships with universities, local government, environmental organisations, professional bodies, businesses, charities and community organisations. Rather than viewing external organisations simply as beneficiaries of research, the programme adopts a co-constructed approach in which partners contribute to the development of research questions, project design, methodological approaches, and the interpretation and dissemination of findings. This collaborative model has strengthened both the academic quality and practical relevance of the research while supporting meaningful knowledge exchange and long-term partnerships. 

The programme has also established collaborative research platforms that bring together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to address complex sustainability challenges. Through initiatives such as the Plymouth Sustainability and Surfing Research Group, alongside collaborations with organisations including Cornwall National Landscapes, the North Devon World Surfing Reserve, Sustainable Surf, Surfers Against Sewage, Seatrees, local government and professional bodies, the programme has fostered interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange across the public, private and third sectors. 

These collaborations continue to support new research, doctoral opportunities, publications, stakeholder engagement and the co-production of research with the potential to inform policy, professional practice and environmental stewardship. 

The research programme has been developed over more than two decades through academic appointments, institutional research support and collaborative partnerships. Rather than being driven by a single externally funded project, the programme has evolved through a series of interconnected research initiatives, collaborative projects, knowledge exchange activities and professional engagement across multiple organisations and universities. 

External media:

• BBC documentary Surfing's Dirty Secrets
• BBC Breakfast and other media interviews relating to sustainability and surfing
• Plymouth Sustainability and Surfing Research Group (PSSRG) website