Chancellor Philip Rogers on ECU’s role in studying, conserving and protecting our coast

When people think of eastern North Carolina, some think of small towns and flat farmland, while others think of the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast. The coastline and the land, water and communities that make up the coastal plain are a complex system. We talked with Chancellor Philip Rogers about some ways ECU is working to conserve and protect the region.

Describe ECU’s commitment to coastal research and conservation.
We’re not unlike the Tar River that flows through Greenville. We’re inland, but we’re undeniably connected to the coast. So we’re invested in how the coast and coastal plain interact. Our Department of Coastal Studies offers students the opportunity to participate in an experiential Semester at the Coast program, where they take courses and conduct research on our Outer Banks Campus. In addition, we lead the multi-institutional UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, where we study coastal systems from an interdisciplinary perspective. We’re Pirates, so of course we’re committed to our coast.

Major storms are part of living on the coastal plain. How does the university contribute to resilience strategies for coastal communities?
You might think coastal research is done by geologists and marine biologists, but the great thing about ECU is the work is so multidisciplinary. For example, Meghan Millea, a professor of economics, is part of a nationwide $16 million grant studying the increased intensity of hurricanes as well as addressing the economic prosperity and resiliency of affected communities. Other faculty members and administrators are in constant contact with communities and agencies, advising them as they create policies to respond to changing conditions across the region.

What are some collaborations between ECU and local or state agencies and organizations working on coastal conservation?
Hannah Sirianni, assistant professor of geography, is leading a team studying erosion at Sugarloaf Island off Morehead City’s coast. The island is crucial for storm protection, and it’s lost significant shoreline in recent years. Sirianni’s team has graduate students, scientists and engineers from ECU as well as community leaders. They’re using GPS, drones and other technologies to find the best ways to mitigate erosion on the island, such as wave-attenuation devices and living shoreline oyster reefs.

How does ECU engage local communities in coastal conservation initiatives?
Outreach events, workshops and educational programs. One example is our STEAM summer day camps for students 10-15 years old that we’ve been doing since 2013 at the Coastal Studies Institute. The camps provide a fun way to learn science firsthand with field and lab experiences. Another is our Science on the Sound lecture series, hosted by the CSI. These events occur throughout the year, and they’re streamed live and recorded so you can watch online at any time. We want to help the public understand the challenges as well as the opportunities along our coast.