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The Effective Crew Project research team

headshote of Kate PikeDr Kate Pike
Kate is an associate professor and senior research fellow at Solent University in the Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering. Kate is an experienced maritime researcher focusing on the human side of shipping, particularly seafarers' welfare, management and leadership, gender issues, sustainability and safety culture. She has recently led the Gender, Empowerment and Multicultural Crews (GEM) project, sponsored by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust with teams in the UK, China and Nigeria. Kate’s research is predominantly industry linked and fundamentally aligns itself with the unique expertise niche at Solent University, where seafarers' welfare and safety are prominent and vital to the success of the cadets trained at Warsash Maritime Academy (which is part of the University). Kate also heads up the Women in International Shipping and Trade Associations (WISTA) UK Southampton group, a regional support network predominantly for women in senior roles within the maritime industry.

Headshot of Emma BroadhurstEmma Broadhurst
Emma is a research officer at Solent University with over two years' experience working on international maritime research projects. Emma’s work focuses largely on the human aspect of shipping, exploring areas such as welfare and safety at sea.  The Gender, Empowerment and Multicultural Crews (GEM) project is an example of a research project Emma has assisted with. This project was carried out in the UK, China and Nigeria and examined potential barriers and issues that can be faced by both female seafarers and multicultural crews whilst operating on board. Emma has additionally assisted with the completion of a consultancy research project for HELM operations exploring safety culture on board, as well as assisting with the pilot study conducted as part of this Effective Crew Project. She was awarded a BSc in Geography with Environmental Studies at Solent University.

Headshot of Karen PassmanKaren Passman
Karen has in excess of 15 years’ experience developing managers, leaders and professionals through facilitation, training, 1:1 coaching and assessment. She has a passion for developing people which is evident in her positive, enthusiastic and supportive style of delivery. She has extensive experience of consulting across a wide range of industry sectors, both in the UK and abroad.

Karen’s expertise traverses the maritime industry and corporate world, where she provides management and leadership development as well as team building and coaching to a wide range of clients. Karen has consulted on a wide range of projects including interviewing for data collection, employee surveys and in 2015 undertook research into identifying the causes of high crew turnover within the superyacht industry. Impact Crew, founded by Karen, is regularly invited to speak at conferences and Captain’s forums. Determined to provide professional leadership development for the maritime industry, Karen has become involved in the design and delivery of the MCA HELM (human element, leadership and management) courses.

Headshote of Chris WincottChris Wincott
Chris Wincott is the founder-director of NJC Associates Ltd. Specialising in working with clients to design and implement programmes developing the performance of individual managers and management teams. Significant experience in management and leadership development projects in the shipping and marine industry with both sea and shore based personnel. Chris has UK and international experience delivering events for clients in Europe, Singapore, India, Philippines, Middle East and Russia.

Headshot of Nickie ButtNickie Butt MPhil, FHEA
Nickie is course leader for the Maritime Business and Management postgraduate programme and a senior lecturer in maritime transport and operations.

She joined the merchant navy at 16, sailing with BP Tankers, and qualified as a navigation officer. After leaving the sea she lived overseas in Papua New Guinea and Oman, working in a variety of shore-based shipping roles. Her research interests include protection of the marine environment from the impact of shipping, sustainability of the shipping industry, and vessel operations and management. This entails straddling the wet and dry sides of the shipping world and accounting for the interests and views of the many stakeholders involved.

Headshot of Richard NealeRichard Neale
Richard is a doctoral researcher at Solent University. He has over five years’ experience within the maritime industry; previously serving as a navigational officer on bulk and general cargo vessels worldwide. He recently completed his BSc in Marine Operations Management at Southampton Solent University, and specialised in the hypothetical utilisation of aquatic invasive species as biological weapons within the shipping industry. Previously he has done research at Newcastle in environmental conservation, renewable energy utilisation, and youth work.

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