ÌÇÐÄVlog

People

Professor Leanne Hepburn

Professor
School of Life Sciences
Professor Leanne Hepburn

Profile

Biography

I am a creative educator and researcher who is passionate about innovative education, reefs, fisheries, sustainable solutions, equity, diversity and inclusion. Research interests Applied marine conservation - restoration and protection of habitats Coral reefs: ecology, carbonate processes, ecosystem function Community ecology and ecosystem function of oysters Mesophotic coralligenous reefs of the Mediterranean Sponge ecology Fisheries ecology Sustainability and solutions Innovative pedagogy Contemplative Pedagogy Equity, diversity and inclusion in environmental science Science -policy interface Public and Community engagement Communication of science through art I am always happy to discuss ideas and collaborations in relation to these topics as well as new avenues for creative ideas. 2022 -- Professor (ÌÇÐÄVlog) 2017 - 2022 - Senior Lecturer (ÌÇÐÄVlog) 2010 - 2016 - Lecturer (ÌÇÐÄVlog) 2006 -2010 - Lecturer (ÌÇÐÄVlog) 2002 - 2006 - Ph.D. Coral reef geoscience (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK) 2000 - 2001 - M.Sc. Marine and Fisheries Sciences (University of Aberdeen, Scotland) 1994 - 1998 - B.Sc. Zoology with Honours in Marine Biology (University of Aberdeen, Scotland)

Appointments

ÌÇÐÄVlog

  • Director of Education, ÌÇÐÄVlog (2019 - 2022)

  • Employability Director, ÌÇÐÄVlog (2017 - 2019)

  • Course Director (Marine Biology), ÌÇÐÄVlog (2015 - 2017)

  • Coral Reef Research Unit, ÌÇÐÄVlog (2013 - present)

Research and professional activities

Research interests

Marine Science

Open to supervise

Teaching and supervision

Current teaching responsibilities

  • Introduction to Global Sustainability Challenges (BS106)

  • Marine Ecology (BS112)

  • Transferable Skills in Life Sciences (BS143)

  • Applied Wildlife Sciences (BS243)

  • Marine Vertebrates (BS254)

  • Coral Reef Biology (BS255)

  • Tropical Marine Field Research Skills (BS256)

  • Professional skills for Ecological and Marine Scientists (BS257)

  • Addressing Global Sustainability Challenges (BS259)

  • Applied Marine Conservation (BS307)

  • Fisheries Ecology (BS354)

  • Professional Skills in Tropical Marine Biology (BS708)

  • Coral Reef Biodiversity and Management Field Trip (BS710)

  • Research Project in Life Sciences (BS832)

  • Research Project in Global Sustainability (BS838)

  • Global Challenges in Interdisciplinary Perspective: Water Conflicts, Water Cultures (CS315)

Previous supervision

Reem Khalifa Salman Jasim Almealla
Reem Khalifa Salman Jasim Almealla
Thesis title: Reef Carbonate Budgets & Symbiodiniaceae Diversity in the Persian-Arabian Gulf, Western Indian Ocean & Central Indo-Pacific
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/11/2020
Fiona Mary Watson
Fiona Mary Watson
Thesis title: Advances in Modelling the Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (Mpas) to Enhance Conservation Management of Mobile Fish Stocks
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 31/3/2020
Alice Elizabeth Lown
Alice Elizabeth Lown
Thesis title: Community Ecology and Population Dynamics of the European Native Oyster (Ostrea Edulis) in ÌÇÐÄVlog, Uk: A Baseline for the Management of the Blackwater, Crouch, Roach and Colne Estuaries Marine Conservation Zone
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 18/11/2019
Leslie James Cousins
Leslie James Cousins
Thesis title: Biodiversity Assessment: Moving Towards an Evidence-Based Index for Biodiversity Offsetting
Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 16/5/2016
Chiara Franco
Chiara Franco
Thesis title: Modelling the Dynamics of Caco3 Budgets in Changing Environments Using a Bayesian Belief Network Approach.
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 8/9/2014

Publications

Journal articles (23)

Hepburn, LJ., Beard, LH. and Etsebeth, K-L., Pandemic pedagogy in Life Sciences. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research. 10 (9), 1-11

Alsam, S., Beard, L. and Hepburn, L., Enhancing employability through hospital placements for Biomedical Science students. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research. 11 (3), 64-77

Pretty, J., Garrity, D., Badola, HK., Barrett, M., Flora, CB., Cameron, C., Grist, N., HEPBURN, L., Hilburn, H., Isham, A., Jacobi, E., Lal, R., Lyster, S., Magnason, AS., McGlade, J., Middendorf, BJ., Milner-Gulland, EJ., Orr, DW., Peck, L., Reij, C., Rockström, J., Ronesh, Y., Saito, O., Smith, J., Smith, P., Thorne, P., Watabe, A., Waters, S. and Wells, G., (2025). . Sustainability. 17 (3), 849-849

Al Mealla, RK., Edullantes, B. and Hepburn, LJ., (2024). . Marine Biology. 171 (1)

Freeman, HA., Hepburn, LJ., Taylor, MI., Hunter, E., Dumbrell, AJ., Gregson, BH., Smith, AJ., Lamphierre, A. and Cameron, TC., (2024). . Journal of Fish Biology. 105 (2), 539-556

Lown, A., Hepburn, L., Heywood, J. and Cameron, T., (2021). . Conservation Science and Practice. 3 (5)

Thomas, GE., Cameron, TC., Campo, P., Clark, DR., Coulon, F., Gregson, BH., Hepburn, LJ., McGenity, TJ., Miliou, A., Whitby, C. and McKew, BA., (2020). . Frontiers in Microbiology. 11, 1706-

Lown, AE., Hepburn, LJ., Dyer, R. and Cameron, TC., (2020). . Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 30 (11), 2191-2206

Watson, FM., Hepburn, LJ., Cameron, T., Le Quesne, WJF. and Codling, EA., (2019). . Fisheries Research. 219, 105334-105334

Franco, C., Hepburn, LA., Smith, DJ., Nimrod, S. and Tucker, A., (2016). . Environmental Modelling and Software. 80, 132-142

Hepburn, LJ., Blanchon, P., Murphy, G., Cousins, L. and Perry, CT., (2015). . Coral Reefs. 34 (1), 189-200

Powell, A., Smith, DJ., Hepburn, LJ., Jones, T., Berman, J., Jompa, J. and Bell, JJ., (2014). . PLoS ONE. 9 (1), e85253-e85253

Cousins, LJ., McMellor, S., Underwood, GJC. and Hepburn, LJ., (2014). . In Practice. 83, 24-27

Pronzato, R., Powell, A., Smith, DJ., Hepburn, LJ., Jones, T., Berman, J., Jompa, J. and Bell, JJ., (2014). Reduced Diversity and High Sponge Abundance on a Sedimented Indo-Pacific Reef System: Implications for Future Changes in Environmental Quality. PLoS ONE. 9 (1), creators-Hepburn=3ALeanne_J=3A=3A

McKew, BA., Dumbrell, AJ., Daud, SD., Hepburn, L., Thorpe, E., Mogensen, L. and Whitby, C., (2012). . Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 78 (15), 5229-5237

Kerrison, P., Suggett, DJ., Hepburn, LJ. and Steinke, M., (2012). . Biogeochemistry. 110 (1-3), 5-16

Kerrison, P., Hall-Spencer, JM., Suggett, DJ., Hepburn, LJ. and Steinke, M., (2011). . Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 94 (2), 129-137

Powell, AL., Hepburn, LJ., Smith, DJ. and Bell, JJ., (2010). . The Open Marine Biology Journal. 4 (1), 31-38

Bell, JJ., Berman, J., Jones, T. and Hepburn, LJ., (2010). . Marine Biology. 157 (11), 2503-2509

Green, BC., Smith, DJ., Earley, SE., Hepburn, LJ. and Underwood, GJC., (2009). . Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 85 (2), 247-256

Perry, CT. and Hepburn, LJ., (2008). Syn-depositional alteration of coral reef framework through bioerosion, encrustation and cementation: Taphonomic signatures of reef accretion and reef depositional events. Earth-Science Reviews. 86 (1-4), 106-144

Carballo, JL., Hepburn, L., Nava, HH., Cruz-Barraza, JA. and Bautista-Guerrero, E., (2007). Coral boring Aka-species (Porifera: Phloeodictyidae) from Mexico with description of Aka cryptica sp. nov.. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 87 (6), 1477-1484

Peck, LS., Ansell, AD., Webb, KE., Hepburn, L. and Burrows, M., (2004). Movements and burrowing activity in the Antarctic bivalve molluscs Laternula elliptica and Yoldia eightsi. Polar Biology. 27 (6), 357-367

Book chapters (3)

AlMealla, R. and Hepburn, L., (2024). Coral reefs in the pearl of the Gulf – Bahrain. In: Coral Reefs and Associated Marine Fauna around the Arabian Peninsula. CRC Press. 77- 90

Hennige, SJ., Suggett, DJ., Hepburn, LJ., Pugsley, A., Crabbe, J. and Smith, DJ., (2013). Coral reefs of the Wakatobi: Processes of reef growth and loss. In: Marine Research and Conservation in the Coral Triangle. 27- 44

Bell, JJ., Berman, J., Powell, A. and Hepburn, LJ., (2013). The ecology of sponges in the Wakatobi National Park. In: Marine Research and Conservation in the Coral Triangle. 85- 110

Grants and funding

2021

Local Government Association Net Zero Innovation Programme - partnership with CBC to work with local schools to create a Climate Emergency Action Plan

Colchester Borough Council (CBC)

Local Government Association Net Zero Innovation Programme - partnership with CBC to work with local schools to create a Climate Emergency Action Plan

Colchester Borough Council (CBC)

Increasing diversity in environmental science

Natural Environment Research Council

2017

Quantifying a marine ecosystem's response to a catastrophic oil spill

Natural Environment Research Council

2011

Valuing Biodiversity: CASE Studentship Amy Sutcliffe

Natural England, DFSSD

Valuing Biodiversity for Offset

ÌÇÐÄVlog Wildlife Trust

Contact

l.hepburn@essex.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1206 872752

Location:

3SW.6.17, Colchester Campus

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