Phillip Cowie

Phillip Cowie is a Lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), based in the School of Health and Life Sciences. His research focuses on microplastic impacts on marine organisms, particularly in Firth of Clyde intertidal and sublittoral habitats. He collaborates with the Natural History Museum and Royal Holloway, University of London on microplastic distribution studies and leads an innovation voucher project on artificial reefs to enhance biodiversity. He holds an Honorary Lecturer position at the University of Glasgow (2015–2020).

Teaching responsibilities include coordinating modules like ‘Biosphere and Man’ and ‘Animal Diversity’, contributing to ‘Diversity of Life’ and ‘Field Biology’. He supervises up to 10 undergraduate research students annually, covering terrestrial, freshwater, and marine topics. Cowie organizes the Glasgow Science Festival events at UWS campuses and engages in outreach, including public workshops on environmental science.

Expertise spans marine conservation, environmental impact assessments, whale/seabird surveys, and benthic survey design. He runs an Anti-fouling/Biofouling consultancy, collaborating with engineers and chemists on applied solutions.