ICE Coastal Management 2025

Abstract submission - deadline 30 September 2024

The ICE invites applications from potential speakers for its 10th Coastal Management conference. Submit your abstracts by 30 September 2024.

If you are working on a coastal project or perhaps you’re an academic involved in cutting-edge research and would like to be considered for selection as a speaker, the organising committee is accepting abstracts for review.

Submission milestones	Deadline
Submission deadline	30 September 2024
Submission reviews	October and November 2024
Author notification	December 2024
Final papers due	May 2025
Conference	16-18 September 2025

In this mini-podcast about the conference, committee member Jonathan Hird, vice president at Moffatt & Nichol, explains the qualities that he and his colleagues are seeking in a successful submission.

We are inviting abstracts based on the following themes and topics:

1. Drivers of change – what is the reality we are facing and why is a different approach needed?

• Technical (natural change)
• Environment
• Social pressures, capacity, and the need and justification for change

2. Review and examples of approaches to change: what progress has been made?

• Incorporating change
• Adapting to change
• Resisting change

3. What needs to change? 

• Policy: how we can ingrain sustainability and resilience into political decisions
• Legislation: whether any new laws are needed
• Barriers and inertia
• Moving from risk to broader systems thinking

4. What are the economics of change?

• Need for alternative economic rationale and new approaches to prioritisation
• Alternative funding and partnerships
• Adaptive definition of success and measurement of success (human and natural) beyond the infrastructure(s) protected

5. Inspiration and aspiration: how do we create a new climate for this? 

• How change is being delivered where it is needed
• Generating different attitudes
• Communication and better understanding
• Innovative technologies

Maximum length: 500 words

Abstract submissions should be made via this platform.

You can refer to these abstract submission guidelines for some best-practice hints and tips. Please include no more than six authors and one proposed presenting author.

The deadline for submissions is midnight on 30 September 2024. Abstracts shall be reviewed and considered by committee members. Authors will be informed of the outcome in December 2024.

Please note: accepted abstracts will be published in the Conference Proceedings.

Speaker tickets: Please note that all presenters at the conference will be required to purchase tickets to attend. We are currently in the process of finalising the ticket pricing but expect speaker early bird tickets to be approximately GBP 450.00 excluding VAT. Prices are subject to change and we will advise of the final ticket prices in due course.

For any queries regarding your submission please contact: [email protected]. 

Overview

Creating a climate for change: challenging our attitudes, aspirations and achievements

The 10th event in the ICE’s renowned Coastal Management conference series will gather delegates from around the world to discuss the challenges we all face in adapting to the growing impact of climate change on our coastal systems. Is sustainable coastal management still a realistic goal, or must we alter our definitions of success?

Growing uncertainty will require practitioners to design adaptive approaches into coastal management systems, account for impacts further inland and shape a common vision with politicians and local communities.

This conference will look at the drivers of this change, how we’ve risen to the challenge so far and what progress needs to be made by the time delegates convene for Coastal Management 2029. 

An important networking opportunity too, the event will feature plenary sessions and presentations putting a spotlight on the latest research and innovative practice. These will be delivered by leading engineers and academics in the field. Together, they are transforming thousands of miles of coastline worldwide, helping to shape the blue economy and, ultimately, creating a climate for change.

The full programme will be announced next spring, but the conference has five main themes:

• Exploring how climate change requires a new approach to coastal management
• Sharing best practice and progress from innovative projects around the globe
• Defining how the sector will develop to meet the future needs of communities
• Utilising finance to achieve better outcomes
• Inspiring the next generation and establishing a climate for change

Organising committee

The committee comprises experienced specialists from across the marine and coastal engineering sector, including delivery experts, consultants and academics.

• Tara-Leigh McVey, AECOM (chair of the committee)
• Heidi Burgess, University of Brighton
• Kevin Burgess, Jacobs
• Nick Cooper, Royal HaskoningDHV
• Alan Frampton, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
• Carl Green, Wyre Borough Council
• Greg Guthrie, Royal HaskoningDHV
• Nick Hardiman, Environment Agency
• Jonathan Hird, Moffatt & Nichol
• Jim Hutchison, Balfour Beatty
• Richard Nunn, Environment Agency

Delegate registration

Registration will open in the spring of 2025. If you’d like to be kept up to date about the conference, join our growing community of coastal engineers on LinkedIn.

Location

The conference will take place at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre, Bristol, on 16-18 September 2025.

Bristol has been at the heart of the UK’s maritime industry for centuries, owing to its location on the lower River Avon, which flows into the Bristol Channel. The city’s port includes Avonmouth Docks, which continue to serve as a key import gateway. Bristol is also well known for its creative media, aerospace and electronics industries.

Public transport services to the city include direct rail links from London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester. Bristol’s airport serves a wide range of European cities.