Rodney Forster is a Professor at the University of Hull, where he leads the Hull Marine Laboratory within the School of Environmental and Life Sciences. He teaches the “Coastal Seas” and “Oceanography” modules at level 5 (second year undergraduate) and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate research projects. His research work spans from basic marine ecology to applied issues such as the environmental impact of renewable energy infrastructure, with contributions to conservation and habitat restoration. His main focus is on primary production in coastal seas — especially phytoplankton, macroalgae, and microphytobenthos. He has substantial expertise in both in situ measurements and remote-sensing techniques, often combining underwater surveys with satellite data to study marine ecosystems. At Hull, Prof. Forster leads initiatives such as: - The Great Yorkshire Kelp Project, which uses SCUBA diving, underwater video, and satellite remote sensing to map the extent of kelp forests off the east coast of the UK. - Restoration-oriented efforts under the REWRITE project, collaborating with EU partners to restore coastal habitats, including tidal flats and seagrass meadows. - Research into how offshore wind farms affect the marine environment, including effects on water movement, sediment distribution, phytoplankton production, seabirds, fish and shellfish populations.