12:00–13:30pm, Thurs 30 October 2025, online
Join us for this interactive online event bringing together students, recent graduates, early career researchers, and professionals to explore career pathways across the coastal, marine and environmental sectors.
Through a panel discussion featuring speakers from across consultancy, local government, and professional bodies, you’ll hear how each panellist built their career — what their day-to-day looks like, the routes they took, and their advice for getting into the industry.
After the introductions, you’ll join a breakout room with your chosen panellist for direct Q&A and networking.
The event will conclude with a careers workshop led by the University of Glasgow Careers Service, focusing on how to transition from education into the job market – including practical guidance on CV development and psychometric testing.
Registered attendees will receive details on breakout room selection and suggested questions ahead of the session.
This event was developed by the Coast-R Network+ team in collaboration with practitioners keen to connect with the next generation of professionals. It aims to highlight career opportunities in local government, the charitable sector, and other smaller organisations that play a vital role in advancing coastal, marine and environmental work.
This webinar has already taken place online but you can view a recording of the panel discussion below.
Session Schedule
- 12:00–12:30 – Welcome and panel introductions
- 12:30–13:00 – Breakout sessions with panellists for direct Q&A
- 13:00–13:30 – Careers Service workshop: Transitioning from education to employment
Meet the Panellists
Doug Pender – Technical Director, JBA Consulting
Doug is an engineer with over 10 years of experience in applied fluvial and coastal hydraulic and sediment transport modelling. At JBA Consulting, he works within the Marine and Coastal Risk Management group, where his technical expertise spans hydrology, hydraulics, and flood management design. His work includes flood risk assessments, hydraulic model development and application, coastal processes and erosion assessments, flood alleviation optioneering, and economic appraisals of fluvial and coastal extremes.
Ece Ozdemiroglu – Environmental Economist, EFTEC
Ece is an environmental economist who enjoys making the invisible value of nature visible in economic decision-making. She leads work on natural capital accounting and is now expanding her expertise into the growing field of nature finance. Ece’s work bridges economics and the environment, helping organisations integrate the value of natural assets into sustainable policy and practice.
Lauren Burt – Coastal Project Engineer, Coastal Partners
Lauren is a Coastal Project Engineer with Coastal Partners, a collaboration of five local authorities working together to deliver flood and coastal erosion risk management along the south coast of England. Her work focuses on developing and implementing projects that protect coastal communities, enhance resilience, and support sustainable shoreline management.
Rick Haynes – Flooding Manager, Perth & Kinross Council; Chair, CIWEM Scotland
Rick is a Fellow of CIWEM, a Chartered Water & Environmental Manager, and a Chartered Environmentalist with over 18 years of experience leading flood risk, resilience, and environmental infrastructure strategies across Scotland. As Flooding Manager at Perth & Kinross Council, he oversees strategic delivery and resilience planning across a diverse landscape. Rick also holds national leadership roles as Chair of CIWEM Scotland and Co-Chair of the Scottish Flood Resilience Strategy Implementation Group, helping to shape the future of flood resilience policy and practice across the country.
Susan Veitch – Senior Engineer, The Highland Council
Susan is a Senior Engineer in the Flood Risk Management team at The Highland Council, with over 20 years of experience in the field. Her career has covered all aspects of flood risk management, including emergency response, spatial planning, surface water management, policy and legislation, and the delivery of flood and coastal erosion risk alleviation works. Based in the Highlands, Susan plays a key role in strengthening local and regional resilience to flooding and coastal erosion.
