Solent Forum Student Bursary
One of the aims of the Solent Forum is to further our understanding of the natural and human environment of the Solent. To assist this aim the Forum has a bursary scheme where funding is available to help support dissertation projects undertaken by both undergraduate and graduate students.
Eligibility
All students, irrespective of institution, may apply for a bursary as long as they meet the application form criteria. The geographical area covered by the dissertation must coincide, either totally or partially, with the Solent Forum study area (Hurst Spit to Selsey Bill and the North coast of the Isle of Wight). The project must also be on a coastal topic or theme.
Funding provided
The fund will help meet essential travel and research expenses. There will be a limit of £200 per project. It is likely that successful projects will also receive advice and support from relevant local stakeholders where possible.
Requirements
Students who are interested will be asked to fill in the relevant application form, which will help provide information on their project and the likely costs involved. A group of academics and Solent Forum members will then meet to discuss the proposals and decide which ones should be granted funding.
Conditions
For those who are successfully granted funding, a condition of the funding will be that the Solent Forum is to receive copy of the finished dissertation. A certificate will be awarded at the graduation ceremony of the student and they will be invited to present their findings at a Solent Forum members meeting but at their own cost.
Timetable
Proposals must be in by the end of May. A decision will be made shortly after that with regards to which projects have been successful and the students will be informed before their summer break.
Submission
You can download an application form from this website.
All forms to be submitted to the Solent Forum, c/o Hampshire County Council, Environment Department, Castle Avenue, Winchester, SO23 8UD or email to info@solentforum.org.
Those awarded funding in 2009, were as follows:
Amy Bowditch - Investigate underlying motives behind participants becoming involved in the sport of kayaking
This research project has been set up in order to investigate what motivates male and females to participate within the sport of kayaking and assess any differences. It will aim to evaluate male dominance within kayaking and whether this affects the female’s decision to take part in the sport. Analysis will take place of the provisions of kayaking in the Solent are and whether it affects the levels of participation. Club locations across the Solent will also be highlighted with an audit of club facilities, coaches, equipment and general provisions for kayak clubs.
Maike Paul - Investigate the way seagrass attenuates wave energy at the shoreline
The overall aim of the research is to understand the way Seagrass attenuates wave energy at the shoreline. It is planned to determine the influence of specific vegetation characteristics (e.g. canopy height, shoot density) on wave attenuation and describe it with an attenuance coefficient that can be integrated in existing models. Additionally the influence of the seagrass meadow will be investigated. Furthermore, the influence of water depth on wave attenuation by Seagrass will be evaluated and faille, the impact of Seagrass on the velocity and turbulence distribution within the boundary layer and bed shear stress within the canopy will be quantified. It was decided to focus on one seagrass species for this project to reduce complexity. The species Zostera Noltii was chosen as it is native to Great Britain and highly abundant within the Solent area. The site Ryde, east of the pier, was chosen because of it easy accessibility.
Saira Evans - Explore at what proximity kite-surfers are causing disturbance to bird species in the Mount Lake area of the Lymington Keyhavent NNR
The aim of the research project is to explore at what proximity kite-surfers are causing disturbance to bird species in the Mount Lake area of the Lymington-Keyhaven NNR. This information will then be analysed to try and determine to what extent Flight Initiation Distance (FID) is species specific
Katie Hill - Investigate the environmental management of antifoulant contamination from boat wash down stations in the Solent
The project investigates the environmental management of antifoulant contamination from boat wash down stations in the Solent. Levels of antifoulant products (AFPs) (primarily copper biocides) found in sediments from Hamble point, Cowes Yacht Club and Hamble Yacht Services, Port Hamble will be compared. Hamble Point is the only sample site to have a run-off management system in place, and its effectiveness will be evaluated. A social survey will be conducted to identify whether the presences of environmental management methods affect a boat owner’s choice of marinas.
