Dr Carol Sparling
Carol Sparling is a marine mammal ecologist known for her research on the energetics and behaviour of seals. She earned her PhD from the University of St Andrews, where she has advanced our understanding of marine mammal physiology and interactions with human activities.
In her doctoral research, Dr. Sparling conducted pioneering studies on the energy requirements of grey seals. Utilizing the unique outdoor pool at the Gatty Marine Laboratory this work provided critical insights into the seals' role in marine ecosystems and informed conservation strategies. Beyond her doctoral research, Carol has focused on understanding the interactions between marine mammals and human activities, such as tidal turbines and offshore wind farms. Her work aims to inform conservation strategies and mitigate potential impacts on marine ecosystems. She has contributed to over fifty publications, including studies on animal displacement due to marine energy development and the development of new technology for monitoring fine scale marine mammal interactions with tidal turbines.
As Director of the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at the University of St Andrews, Carol oversees the UK wide programme of seal population monitoring and provides scientific advice to the UK Governments on matters relating to the management and conservation of marine mammals. Carol also actively supervises PhD students, fostering the next generation of marine scientists. Her work integrating scientific research with practical conservation efforts underscores her commitment to preserving marine biodiversity in the face of increasing human impacts on the marine environment.
