The Maritime Foundation, in conjunction with the Marine Institute at Plymouth University, has organised a groundbreaking conference exploring the UK’s dependence upon the sea to be hosted by Plymouth University on 11/12 September 2014.
The conference will also mark the launch of the Dartmouth Centre for Seapower and Strategy, a pioneering venture aimed at raising knowledge, awareness and understanding of strategic and defence issues as they relate to maritime affairs and informing and shaping security policy decision–making through education, training and research.
Conference organiser and Master Mariner Paul Wright, who has just retired as Associate Director of the Marine Institute at Plymouth University after a career spanning 35 years in maritime education and training, commented:
“The conference is set to be challenging, addressing topics at the forefront of the maritime agenda, and I’m delighted we have attracted as contributors a formidable selection of experts from across the marine and maritime sector.”
The conference focus will be on three key themes:
- Seapower in an Age of Uncertainty
- Maritime Human Resource Challenge
- Marine Environment Matters
Maritime Foundation Chairman Julian Parker OBE added:
“The programme is breaking new ground because it brings together the Royal Navy, academic and civilian maritime interests in pursuit of sustainable maritime activity. We are hoping to demonstrate new opportunities for Britain as a maritime nation.”
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Notes for editors
- The ‘Britain and the Sea 3’ Conference, takes place on September 11 and 12 at Plymouth University’s Post Graduate School of Management, Mast House, Plymouth University
- This will be the third successive year that the Maritime Foundation and Plymouth University have collaborated to produce a conference in the Britain and the Sea series, more details of which are available at www.britainandthesea.org
- Contributors to the conference programme include: Rear Admiral Ben Key RN, Flag Officer Plymouth; Professor Graeme Herd, Director Centre for Seapower & Strategy; Professor Steve Haines, Professor of Public & International Law at Greenwich University; Professor Gwythian Prins, Member of the Strategy Advisory Panel of Chief of Defence Staff and Royal Marines Advisory Group; Mark Grove, Lecturer in Maritime Warfare at University of Plymouth & Britannia Royal Naval College; Glenys Jackson, Head of the Merchant Navy Training Board; Cdre Barry Bryant, Director General at Seafarers UK; Mary Cox, Principal at Plymouth University Technical College; Dr Richard Thain, Director at Hydrographic Academy; Richard Gaslake of the Sea Fish Industrial Association; Lars Carlson, Director Windship Technology
- There will be an early evening reception hosted by Seafarers UK on the first day of the conference which will be attended by civic dignitaries and leaders of maritime charities and professional bodies to be followed by a conference dinner
- For more details about attending the conference visit www.britainandthesea.org or email events@plymouth.ac.uk
- Advocating and supporting the case for British maritime capability, the Maritime Foundation promotes Britain’s interests across the entire maritime sector. Its purpose is to inform and raise public and parliamentary awareness of the importance of Britain’s maritime industries, our dependence upon the sea and seafarers, commerce and defence
- Photos available on request, including high–res version of conference logo