Research spotlight: Lancashire's seaside towns through the eyes of local youth with Dr Celine Germond-Duret

Dr Celine Germond-Duret (Lancaster University) leads the British Academy and Leverhulme Trust-funded project “SeaSights: Deprived Seaside Towns and the Blue Economy”, which investigates how oceans, coastal communities, and young people’s voices are often neglected in decision-making. Through photography and workshops, the project empowers young people from England’s Northwest coast to share their perspectives on local economic developments. By amplifying these voices, Dr Germond-Duret’s research raises crucial questions about how our coastal areas are perceived and how sustainable development can only be sustainable if it benefits all generations within society.

The concept of a “blue economy” is central to your research. Could you explain what this term means and how it originated?

The blue economy idea emerged after the 2012 United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable Development. UN agencies sought to integrate oceans and coastal environments into the “green economy”, which is an economic model designed to reduce environmental harm while still promoting economic growth and social inclusion. Small island nations advocated for this more inclusive approach to sustainable development, because the idea of a green economy didn’t fit into their lived experience – their livelihoods rely intensely on oceans and marine resources. I’ve defined the blue economy as “the sustainable pursuit of economic activities resulting from the exploitation of coastal and marine resources”.

Has the concept gained traction in recent years?

Yes. Scotland has embraced the blue economy in its policy framework, in 2022 publishing a Blue Economy Vision outlining its environmental, social, and economic ambitions through to 2045. However, England and the wider UK have yet to develop a dedicated blue economy policy, despite our significant reliance on coastal and marine resources as an island nation.

Your research suggests that the social dimension of sustainable development is sometimes overlooked. Is that the case?

Sustainable development is often framed as a balance between economic and environmental concerns, but the social dimension—how people feel about changes to their communities—is frequently overlooked. A linguistic study I conducted in this area examined UK government policy documents to see how the sea and coastal environments are represented. The findings showed that they are predominantly viewed through an economic lens, with little attention paid to the social consequences of marine or coastal policies. My work seeks to address this gap by shedding light on the aspirations of young people who live in these areas, so we can ensure policies more accurately reflect their needs and priorities.

Your Academy-funded research examines young people and the blue economy in the Northwest of England. What led you to focus on that area?

Young people are often excluded from the processes, even though they are the future beneficiaries of sustainable development. I wanted to understand whether they feel represented in policymaking and what they expect from policymakers moving forward. To create policies that are both effective and equitable, it's essential to amplify their voices; after all, true sustainability means balancing the needs of both current and future generations.

This issue is particularly urgent in areas like Blackpool and Morecambe Bay, where higher levels of deprivation mean that policy decisions have an especially profound impact on local communities. I wanted to explore how young people engage with their coastal environment and perceive economic and social developments.

What methods did you use to ensure young people’s voices were heard in your research?

I used photovoice, a participatory research method that empowers people to express themselves through photography. Rather than relying on formal interviews, I briefed thirty participants aged 13–19 on my research focus and asked them to photograph what matter to them in their local coastal environment. These images then became the basis for a workshop, sparking discussions about their feelings, values, and perspectives on the marine environment.

How does this method compare to traditional interviews?

Using photovoice allowed the young participants to engage with their environment in a reflective, creative way, prompting a deeper consideration of what their environment means to them – an opportunity they might not have in their day-to-day life. This approach proved especially effective for younger participants who may have found it challenging to articulate their views in a formal interview setting. The age range of participants also highlighted differences in how people of various ages relate to the coast and envision its future.

What insights emerged from these discussions?

The young people I spoke to expressed a strong connection to the coast, valuing its natural beauty, leisure opportunities, and the sense of proximity to nature. Many couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, feeling that coastal life was integral to their sense of place. Across the board, they agreed that a major drawback of their local area was a lack of opportunities and activities available, and they believed that investing in the local economy would significantly boost their wellbeing.

However, they had mixed feelings about planned economic development projects. One example that came up was the Eden Project North in Morecambe - a sister site to the original in Cornwall – which received £50m of public investment after a successful submission to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2022. While young people recognise the huge potential upsides of projects like the Eden Project North—including job creation and increased tourism—they were concerned about rising house prices and the risk of being excluded from the places they love.

Looking ahead, how would you like to see your research evolve, and what future directions interest you?

I’m particularly enthusiastic about the potential of creative methods to engage the public in policymaking. While photography proved highly effective for this project, there are countless other forms of artistic expression—such as painting, music, or dance—that can make participation more inclusive, relatable, and impactful.

I’m also working on a Leverhulme-funded project using creative methods to explore how coastal communities in Indonesia, Scotland, and the Seychelles understand ocean justice. That work focuses on the social dimensions of sustainable development, asking communities what a just blue economy means to them and how they define fair and equitable use of marine resources.