Coastal Adaptation Pathways Student Panel
Are you studying Environmental Sciences, Engineering or Geography at GCSE or A Level?
Future Coast North Swanage are looking to select GCSE or A Level Environmental Sciences, Engineering or Geography students from the local area to join our unique Coastal Adaptation Pathways Student panel in February 2026.
Applications are invited from anyone looking to enhance their knowledge and experience and help establish their own career pathway.
What is an Coastal Adaptation Pathway?
A Coastal Adaptation Pathway is a strategic approach used in coastal management to plan for long-term change, especially in response to climate impacts like sea-level rise, erosion, and flooding. Instead of committing to one fixed solution, it lays out a sequence of actions over time, allowing flexibility as conditions evolve. Here’s what it involves:
- Step-by-step planning: Actions are staged over decades, starting with low-cost or reversible measures and moving toward more significant interventions if needed.
- Trigger points: Decisions are linked to indicators (e.g., rate of erosion, sea-level rise thresholds) so that adaptation happens when it’s necessary.
- Multiple options: It considers different scenarios and pathways, so communities can adapt without locking into one expensive solution too early.
- Community and stakeholder input: Ensures that social, economic, and environmental priorities are integrated.
In short, it’s about planning for uncertainty and keeping options open, rather than trying to “fix” the coast permanently.
Why should you be on our student panel?
- Young voices ensure plans reflect the needs of future generations, not just today’s priorities.
- Adaptation pathways influence how we safeguard beaches, wildlife, and cultural sites. Your input helps balance environmental protection with community use.
- Participating gives experience in planning, sustainability, and climate resilience—skills that are valuable for careers and leadership roles.
- Young people often see issues differently—like affordability, accessibility, and social spaces. Your perspective helps make plans fair for everyone.
- This is a chance to take real action on climate change locally, not just talk about it. You’ll help create practical solutions for rising seas and erosion.
What do I need to do?
- Complete this form by 16th January 2026: tell us more about you, what you are studying, what you plan to do in the future, what participation in the panel means for you. Spaces are limited so if we are over-subscribed we will choose the top 12 applicants.
- Successful applicants: if you make it onto the panel you will be expected to attend an online student panel meeting at least every 4 months with the opportunity to attend in person adaptation planning events with the Future Coast North Swanage team.
- Find out more about the project on the dedicated webpage: www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk/futurecoast-swanage
- Stakeholder input: as a valued stakeholder you will be expected to share your opinions as the plan is created so we are looking for critical thinkers able to share their ideas and present to a wider audience either in their own educational setting or externally.
