Dr Lucy McMahon
Dr Lucy McMahon BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, AFHEA
Third Century Research Fellow in Coastal Ecology
My profile
Biography
I am a Third Century Research Fellow in Coastal Ecology based in the Department of Natural Sciences at MMU. I previously held the post of Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Blue carbon with the Coastal Ecosystems Research Group at MMU. Prior to my time at MMU, I completed my PhD at the University of York in Marine Environmental Science in 2023. My background is in marine science and I have broad research interests in the following areas:
- Coastal wetland ecology
- Nature-based solutions
- Blue carbon
- Ecosystem services
- Ocean Literacy
I primarily work on coastal wetlands (notably saltmarsh and seagrass habitats in the UK) with a view to inform marine management, conservation and restoration. I am interested in transdisciplinary approaches to research and collaborate with marine social scientists. My current research looks to measure the success of coastal restoration through the application of a multi-dimensional assessment tool. The tool itself will combine knowledge from the natural and social sciences, alongside insights from local communities and research/ practitioner communities involved in coastal restoration.
I hold several professional memberships, including Member of the UK Blue Carbon Forum, Member of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association, Member of the UK Saltmarsh Expert Group, Member of the Morecambe Bay Seascape Restoration Working Group and Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
In addition to my research, I work as a marine consultant delivering projects related to any aspect of the marine environment. I am also committed to science communication across a range of audiences and mediums including school outreach events, media outlets (e.g. ITV and International Yachting Radio), and webinars. I currently deliver seagrass restoration workshops at Universities in collaboration with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. I am passionate about widening participation in marine education and engage with Women in STEM initiatives.
Projects
In addition to my fellowship research, I am a member of the Coastal Ecosystems Research Group in the Natural Sciences Department. We investigate the ecology, development and ecosystem services provided by coastal habitats in order to provide an evidence base for their restoration and creation. Our projects are currently focused on the ‘blue’ carbon storage potential and biodiversity value of restored coastal habitats. We also provide advice and guidance on local seascape restoration schemes.
Our research is applied and we have many collaborators across government agencies, consultancies, and environment charities. These include the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Jacobs and the Environment Agency.
Teaching
Teaching
I am an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). I teach mostly on marine and coastal ecology as part of undergraduate programmes within the Biological Sciences. My teaching uses a combination of traditional-style lectures, practical workshops and fieldtrips. I am a strong advocate of active learning and try to incorporate industry connections into courses where possible. Previous teaching has covered marine and coastal science, oceanography, conservation and marine protected areas.
I currently lecture on the final year undergraduate unit ‘Coastal Ecology and Ecosystem Services’ in the Spring term.
I am passionate about widening participation and equal learning opportunities for all. I have previously taught on a programme that promotes fair access and social mobility for students from groups underrepresented in higher education, and I have acted as a mentor for people accessing our free online course (Tackling Environmental Challenges for a Sustainable Future - University of York).
Supervision
I supervise undergraduate and masters dissertation project students on aspects relating to coastal ecology (saltmarsh and seagrass habitats), blue carbon and ocean literacy. If you are interested in completing your project with our research group, please contact me.
Research outputs
Journal Articles
McMahon, L., Ladd, C., Burden, A., Garrett, E., Redeker, K.R., Lawrence, P. and Gehrels, R. 2023. Maximising Blue Carbon Stocks through Saltmarsh Restoration. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, p.557. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1106607.
Smeaton, C., Burden, A., Ruranska, P., Ladd, C.J., Garbutt, A., Jones, L., McMahon, L., Miller, L.C., Skov, M.W. and Austin, W.E. 2022. Using citizen science to estimate surficial soil Blue Carbon stocks in Great British saltmarshes. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, p.1461. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.959459.
Chapters in Books
Austin, W.E.N., Smeaton, C., Ruranska, P., Paterson, D. M., Skov, M. W., Ladd, C. J. T., McMahon, L., Havelock, G. M., Gehrels, R., Mills, R., Barlow, N. L. M., Burden, A., Jones, L., and Garbutt, A. 2022. “Carbon Storage in UK Intertidal Environments” in: Challenges in Estuarine and Coastal Science, ed. J. Humphreys and S. Little (Pelagic Publishing). doi: 10.53061/STPP2268.
Reports
McMahon, L., Mossman, H.L., Dunk, R.M, Sparkes, R., Rae, S., Born, K., Tempest, J., and Pontee, N. 2023. Saltmarsh Blue Carbon Summary Report: A summary of the carbon accumulation results from two studies. Report produced by Jacobs and MMU on behalf of Defra and the Environment Agency. Version P02/ C20379. October 2023.
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), 2022. Ocean Literacy in England: Headline Findings Report. Defra Evidence Report. Report No: 15631, 64 pp.
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Chapters in books
Austin, W.E.N., Smeaton, C., Ruranska, P., Paterson, D.M., Skov, M.W., Ladd, C.J.T., McMahon, L., Havelock, G.M., Gehrels, R., Mills, R., Barlow, N.L.M., Burden, A., Jones, L., Garbutt, A. (2022) 'Carbon Storage in UK Intertidal Environments.' Challenges in Estuarine and Coastal Science. Pelagic Publishing,
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Reports
McMahon, L., Mossman, H., Dunk, R., Rae, S., Sparkes, R., Born, K., Tempest, J., Pontee, N. (2023) Saltmarsh Blue Carbon Summary Report: a summary of the carbon accumulation results from two studies. Bristol: Environment Agency.
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Journal articles
Smeaton, C., Garrett, E., Koot, M.B., Ladd, C.J.T., Miller, L.C., McMahon, L., Foster, B., Barlow, N.L.M., Blake, W., Gehrels, W.R., Skov, M.W., Austin, W.E.N. (2024) 'Organic carbon accumulation in British saltmarshes.' Science of the Total Environment, 926
Gore, C., Gehrels, W.R., Smeaton, C., Andrews, L., McMahon, L., Hibbert, F., Austin, W.E.N., Nolte, S., Garrett, E. (2024) 'Saltmarsh blue carbon accumulation rates and their relationship with sea-level rise on a multi-decadal timescale in northern England.' Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 299
Smeaton, C., Ladd, C.J.T., Miller, L.C., McMahon, L., Garrett, E., Barlow, N.L.M., Gehrels, W.R., Skov, M.W., Austin, W.E.N. (2023) 'Organic carbon stocks of Great British saltmarshes.' Frontiers in Marine Science, 10
McMahon, L., Ladd, C.J.T., Burden, A., Garrett, E., Redeker, K.R., Lawrence, P., Gehrels, R. (2023) 'Maximizing blue carbon stocks through saltmarsh restoration.' Frontiers in Marine Science, 10
Smeaton, C., Burden, A., Ruranska, P., Ladd, C.J.T., Garbutt, A., Jones, L., McMahon, L., Miller, L.C., Skov, M.W., Austin, W.E.N. (2022) 'Using citizen science to estimate surficial soil Blue Carbon stocks in Great British saltmarshes.' Frontiers in Marine Science, 9
Career history
November 2024 - Present
Third Century Research Fellow in Coastal Ecology
Manchester Metropolitan University
July 2023 - Present
Marine Consultant
Self-employed
August 2023 - November 2024
Postdoctoral Research Associate (Blue Carbon)
Manchester Metropolitan University
January 2023 - May 2023
Associate Lecturer and MSc Module Leader
University of York
October 2018 - March 2023
PhD “Drivers of Blue Carbon Dynamics in Saltmarsh Ecosystems”
Funded by the ACCE DTP (Natural Environment Research Council) with a placement at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
University of York
October 2016 - October 2017
MSc Marine Environmental Management with a placement at the School of Ocean Sciences (Bangor University)
University of York
October 2012 - October 2015
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology
University of Liverpool