Dr Tara Hooper is an environmental economist with a background in marine ecology, whose work focuses on interpreting ecological information in ecosystem service terms and in exploring ecosystem service approaches to impact assessment. She has a particular interest in the environmental and social impacts of marine renewable energy. Her NERC-funded PhD considered the costs and benefits of tidal range energy generation, from which she has published both a review of the literature on the impacts of tidal barrages and a methodology for scoping the environmental and social costs and benefits of a tidal barrage development. Her wider research includes evaluating the impacts of offshore wind farms (considering in particular the artificial reef effects of energy infrastructure and its potential to support benthic communities and fish stocks), as well as investigating recreational use of coastal areas. She has also carried out monetary valuations of the benefits from marine ecosystem services (applying contingent valuation, choice experiment and travel cost methods). Her work requires engagement with the marine renewable energy industry, regulators and planning authorities, and with wider stakeholders and the general public, and she has regularly led and supported the implementation of workshops, focus groups, surveys and interviews.

Evaluating the impacts of offshore wind farms (considering in particular the artificial reef effects of energy infrastructure and its potential to support benthic communities and fish stocks).