SCARF (Shetland Community Acoustic Research Forum) is an interdisciplinary EPSRC-funded Ecological Citizen[s] project which brings together academics, marine industry groups, citizen scientists and artists to co-design a community-driven underwater sound monitoring programme in Shetland’s coastal waters. The project is led by conservation biologist Volker Deecke (University of Cumbria), with co-investigators Emily Doolittle (RCS), Saana Isojunno (St Andrews), Rachel Shucksmith (UHI), Jenny Sturgeon and Andrew Whitehouse (University of Aberdeen), in partnership with a variety of Shetland community groups and businesses. SCARF will be collecting data for 12 months and running a number of engagement events over the winter in schools in Yell and the Shetland mainland, as well as public workshops for members of the community. 

Photo caption: Left to right - Dr. Saana Isojunno, Dr. Emily Doolittle, University of Cumbria Conservation students Melissa McKenzie and Lucy Hall, Prof. Volker Deecke, and Dr Andrew Whitehouse.