Marine Scotland Science: directory

Dr Julie Miller

Renewables and Energy Programme
Renewable Energy and Environmental Advice Group
Senior Marine Ornithologist

Email: julie.miller@gov.scot

Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, UK

Pronouns: she/her

Details of specialism

Working within REEA, my main role is the provision of advice regarding the assessment of seabirds in the context of offshore renewables impacts. Central to this role is the identification of research that can reduce uncertainty in our knowledge of how seabird species may interact with offshore developments and further, facilitate the quantification of population-level impacts, allowing us to both preserve Scotland’s seabird populations and inform sustainable marine planning for green energy and beyond. 

Population dynamics are a lynchpin of conservation assessments and practical actions to preserve wildlife from extinctions. For many reasons, biologists and decision makers are often confronted with a lack of data or empirical estimates of population processes, adding noise and uncertainty to analyses and potentially misleading results. My current research interests focus on the quantification of seabird demographic processes, the underlying drivers of population regulation and the potential for management intervention to preserve vulnerable species and populations. Previously I have worked on the impact of disturbance to seabirds on remote islands; the distribution, behaviour and condition of seabirds foraging in the Mid-Atlantic; and the foraging and breeding behaviour of large gulls.

Key aspects of my role at Marine Scotland Science include:

• review and update ScotMER ornithology evidence map
• Research Advisory Groups (RAGs) - Forth and Tay, Moray Firth
• commissioning of priority research to facilitate decision makers
• project management and steering group participation in priority research projects
• pursuing funding opportunities in collaboration with key organisations to facilitate priority research
• provide internship and project opportunities for students
• represent Scotland’s expertise in the assessment of offshore renewables internationally

Main policy links

• marine renewables licensing (scientific advice)
• marine planning (scientific advice)

External committees and responsibilities

• council member of the British Ornithologists Union
• research affiliate of the University of Glasgow
• State of the Science, Bird Working Group

Papers of relevance

Miller JAO, Furness RW, Trinder M and Matthiopoulos J (2019) The sensitivity of seabird populations to density-dependence, environmental stochasticity and anthropogenic mortality. Journal of Applied Ecology 56, 2118-2130. Selected for Editor’s Choice: 56:9