Current Research Projects

Through the emerging field of ecoacoustics, UVA’s Coastal Futures Conservatory develops environmental sound and listening as a platform for collaboration between the humanities and sciences. By “listening for coastal futures” and “sounding science” the Conservatory advances UVA’s connection with the Eastern Shore and with the communities that face increased health, economic and environmental threats as a result of climate-driven coastal change. This ERI CoLab project primarily addresses the Resilience and Adaptation area focus, developing ecoacoustic methods to promote the restoration of seagrass meadows and oyster reefs, habitats that mitigate the effects of sea level rise, filter and condition the water, absorb carbon. We pursue experimental methods using sound that could support ongoing science projects such as using sound to measure seagrass respiration listen to the health of oyster reefs. We also develop public programs to bring this research to the local and national community. These public facing outcomes communicate aesthetics and ethics as part of a convergent research plan.