Over my career as a marine scientist in Scotland I have studied many aspects of the oceanography of Scottish waters, including sea lochs on the west coast, the circulation of the North Sea, and the hydrography of the deep waters north of Scotland. I have applied my knowledge to improve the understanding and management of the environmental impact of the aquaculture, offshore oil and gas and fishing industries. I have been interested in how science interacts with policy, and in shaping the direction of Scottish and UK marine science. More recently I have been undertaking research into marine litter and plastics, its sources and fate, research into the future requirements of an offshore Scottish carbon capture and storage industry, and aspects of Scottish blue carbon. I am also involved in the PrePARED project which aims to improve the models underpinning the consenting of offshore wind farm developments.