As summer heatwaves intensify along the coasts of the Northern Hemisphere, Future Earth Coasts (FEC), a global research network of Future Earth dedicated to fostering healthy coasts and oceans for a just and sustainable future, enters a dynamic new chapter.
FEC is thrilled to announce the appointment of three distinguished Co-Chairs: Charles Lemckert, Weiguo Zhang, and Emma McKinley, as well as Salom Gnana Thanga Vincent as the new Vice Chair. Together with the incumbent Vice Chair, Mike Elliott, they will help shape the network’s strategic direction, support scientific collaboration, and strengthen global partnerships.
We also extend our sincere thanks to outgoing Co-Chairs, Tim Smith and Purvaja Ramachandran, who have served since 2020. Over the years, they have dedicated their time, expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing FEC’s mission and goals. We are deeply grateful for their wisdom, vision, and leadership, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
Meet the New Co-Chairs and Vice Chair
Charles Lemckert
Southern Cross University, Australia
Charles is currently the Chair of Engineering and Information Technology, Faculty of Science and Engineering at the Southern Cross University, Australia and a Fellow of Engineers Australia, with CPEng in Civil, Environmental, and Leadership and Management. Charles has a strong interest and expertise in coastal science, water and coastal engineering, along with coastal zone management approaches. He also has over 25 years of active involvement and leadership in the higher education sector and specialized in developing new engineering and building construction management approaches to improve our society, with a special emphasis on tertiary education enhancement.
Weiguo Zhang
East China Normal University, China
Professor Weiguo Zhang is a coastal geoscientist with expertise in geomorphology, sedimentology, and coastal environmental change. His research explores human–nature interactions in coastal zones over a range of timescales, aiming to support sustainable coastal management. His recent work addresses delta evolution, coastal pollution, and shifts in ecosystem services. Professor Zhang utilizes diverse methodologies including environmental magnetism, geochemistry, radionuclide and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, as well as remote sensing. He has authored over 170 peer-reviewed publications, co-edited one academic book, and led three special issues in Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science and Geomorphology.
Emma McKinley
Cardiff University, UK
Dr Emma McKinley is a Senior Research Fellow at Cardiff University, leading work on ocean literacy and human-ocean relationships. Emma is the Academic Lead of the Severn Estuary Partnership and is the founder of the Marine Social Science Network. She sits on the UK’s National Decade Committee for the UN Ocean Decade, the International Science Advisory Group for MEOPAR and the IOC-UNESCO’s Global Group of Expert on Ocean Literacy.
Salom Gnana Thanga Vincent (Vice Chair)
University of Kerala, India
Dr. Salom Gnana Thanga Vincent is a Professor at the University of Kerala whose research focuses on benthic ecology and microbial diversity in coastal environments, particularly in relation to human-induced impacts like plastic pollution. She has held leadership roles within the university, including Director of the School of Earth System Sciences, and contributes actively to curriculum development and academic governance. Dr. Vincent serves as the Indian ambassador for the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association and is an Associate Editor of Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Her work on marine plastic pollution and coastal sustainability has received international recognition and support through fellowships and collaborative programs.
A Shared Commitment to Coastal Futures
The incoming Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs will work closely with the Co-Executive Directors and International Project Offices to advance FEC’s mission, strengthen its collaborative work, and amplify the network’s impact worldwide.
“We are excited to welcome Charles, Weiguo, Emma, and Salom to the FEC Executive Committee,” said Anja and Xiaoyu, Co-Executive Directors of FEC, “Their wide-ranging expertise and shared values will help accelerate our efforts to build resilient coastal futures for people and the planet.”
Marking a New Phase for FEC
With this new team in place, FEC is poised to deepen its impact on coastal resilience, interdisciplinary research, and actionable science that supports communities around the globe. These appointments reaffirm FEC’s commitment to inclusive, science-driven approaches to today’s most pressing coastal challenges.
Stay up to date with FEC’s ongoing work by following Future Earth Coasts on LinkedIn and Facebook, or visiting our website for news and initiatives.