Research, Education, Conservation
Anita is an award-winning itinerant artist, curator and educator and researcher. She is motivated towards co-designing values-based leadership through education and community processes working at the intersection of art, equitable placemaking and technology: Open Source Culture and Technology (ethical and ecological implications) and STEAM education, across a range of interdisciplinary
Sustainable Christmas, Sneem Christmas Market and Project outreach stand, 2018
Irish Country Womens' Association workshop and presentation stand, 2018
Net Re Use Project
Funded by BIM, Completed in July 2019
SS Net Re-use was an exciting project, supported by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). Throughout a 10-month program, we worked with local communities to re-imagine a new story for offcuts of manufactured nets and life cycle analysis of nets.
The Net Re Use project was run by a multi-disciplinary team including marine biologists, Engineers, Artists and Designers, fishermen, and sailors.
As fishing nets are manufactured there are offcuts that are not used and often end up in the landfill. What is possible for these offcuts? Synthetic fishing nets deteriorate but don’t rot. When accidentally lost as part of fishing operations they can cause a real problem for fishermen and the ocean and its residents alike. Disposing of these nets responsibly by traditional methods such as landfill is costly and not without its environmental impact. While these nets may no longer be fit for the purpose of catching fish they may have many alternative uses.
This research used a circular economy approach and a community co-design methodology to explore the opportunities for net re use in the areas of artisan craft work.
For more info you can download the final project report below or email the team via the get in touch button.
Project Actions
Commuity Co-design
Using a community co-design approach the project worked within the coastal villages of the Iveragh Peninsula within the FLAG South west region.
Outreach at local festivals
Showcasing product samples
Systems Research
Life cycle analysis
Community Design workshops
Working with local groups
TY Design Challenge week
"Problem - to -Pitch
Meet the Team
A multi-disciplinary approach
Lucy Hunt
Project Management and Outreach
Lucy is marine biologist with a Masters in Marine Environmental Protection. She is founder of Sea Synergy Marine Awareness, Research & Activity Centre and has been running multi-generational marine awareness and education workshops for over 15 years. Lucy has initiated many marine and environmental awareness and research programmes locally and nationally including a Blue Way feasibility study to for the Iveragh Peninsula with support of EU FLAG funding to help promote marine tourism in the area. She is a director on the Integrated Regional Development board of Waterville, has held directorships on the Skellig Coast Tourism Network and been an advisory board member to initiatives such as Imagining Iveragh and Kerry County Council Adventure Tourism strategy.
In 2017, Lucy was appointed as the Volvo Ocean Race Education Programme manager to create a global ocean education programme on ocean health, plastic pollution and human solutions. Lucy is inspired by the ocean to engage and activate communities to help protect the environment and our planet's blue heart.
Eleanor Turner
Project Management and Outreach
Eleanor Turner is a Marine Biologist and educator, with several years experience in management and financial services.
As Manager of Sea Synergy Marine Awareness and Activity Centre, she is responsible for running several marine education and outreach programmes, including the Marine Institute-funded Marine Explorers in primary schools’ programme in Kerry.
She is also a member of the Heritage in Schools heritage experts panel and provides hands-on classes in marine, freshwater and biodiversity-based topics.
Anita Mckeown
Artist and Designer
Dr. Anita McKeown is an artist, scholar, and educator with extensive experience within resilient and ethical community development, open source technology and culture (including 25 years of co-operative development and management), and STEAM education.
She has been recognised internationally with awards for her artistic practice and published in broad ranging texts with Routledge, Springer, and IGI Global, as well as international conference proceedings.
Colin Keogh
Engineer
Colin is an award-winning and highly driven and innovative engineer with qualifications and expertise in innovative technologies in the Mechanical and Energy engineering sectors, such as Biomass Energy, 3-D Printing, Additive Manufacturing, Biomedical Engineering, and Innovative Design.
He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's Degree Energy Systems Engineering from UCD. He is currently undertaking a PhD in Engineering at UCD, with a focus on improving innovation methodologies using disruptive technologies.
Damian Foxall
Advisory and Outreach
Damian Foxall has competed in ten round-the-world races which include four 1st places. He was subsequently described as a national hero and Ireland's top international sailor and was greeted at a reception at the Presidential Residence in Ireland.
Damian’s extensive sailing experience brings a depth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the team, including potential health and safety avenues, sailing equipment, and wearables for product development. Damian has always been an advocate for sustainability and environmental awareness. He has worked with the Canadian Wildlife Federation as their
recereational education manager connecting people with nature through sports.
Alex Crowley
Advisory
Alex is an Inshore Fishermen with sustainability at heart. He currently owns and operates the Small Scale Coastal Fishing Vessel the MFV Emma Lou T450.
Alex learned skills in both net making and rope work at the BIM deckhand course at the National Fisheries Colleague in Greencastle. He was awarded a merit for coming first in the class, and continued his studies in Greencastle before qualifying as a Fishing Vessel Engineer (Class 3).
Alex fishes a range of inshore species, including: potting for brown crab, lobster, and spider crab; gill netting, trammel netting, and tangle netting for crayfish.
