Climate Change and the Coastal Challenge: Innovative Means of Stakeholder Involvement

A major research theme at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, UK, is concerned with 'Sustaining the Coastal Zone'. Research projects within this theme are focussed on examining the effects of different sea-level rise and adaptation scenarios on coastal habitats and communities in East Anglia. A key aspect of this work is to involve stakeholders throughout the research process - by encouraging local citizens to help participate in shaping the future of coastal communities and habitats. Part of this research has involved a series of agenda setting workshops entitled, 'Redesigning the Coast' which has led to some very fruitful discussions about new forms of institutional governance in the coastal zone and innovative means of stakeholder dialogue. The series has progressed from engaging with scientists, government and non-government organisations, to the residents of Norwich and, lastly, to include 67 representatives from local parishes along the coast of East Anglia. This paper details how the 'Redesigning the coast' workshops have been used to improve the dialogue between scientists and stakeholders, by raising local awareness of coastal responses to climate change and helping feed local knowledge into research projects