Elizabeth Cottier-Cook

Elizabeth Cottier-Cook is a Senior Lecturer in Marine Biology and Head of the UNU-SAMS Associate Institute at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). She specializes in marine invasive species and leads the Erasmus Plus Joint Master's Degree program in Aquaculture, Environment, and Society (ACES). Her research focuses on biosecurity, seaweed aquaculture, and environmental impacts of marine renewables. She has supervised 12 postgraduate students and contributed to global projects like GlobalSeaweedSTAR, which supports developing nations' seaweed industries. She holds a PhD from Edinburgh Napier University and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Her roles include Programme Leader for ACES, member of Scottish Government non-native species working groups, and handling editor for Aquatic Invasions and BioInvasion Records. She has authored over 65 peer-reviewed articles and led projects funded by RCUK, EU, and NERC.

Key awards include her HEF Fellowship and contributions to policy frameworks like the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011. Current PhD students include Rebecca Giesler, Claire Canning, and Ian Campbell. She collaborates internationally on biosecurity and marine conservation initiatives.