WHO WE ARE
The UK Seaweed Network is a network championing the growth of the UK's seaweed sector.
We bring together industry (growers, harvesters, processors, retailers, consumer goods companies), researchers, policymakers, and environmental groups to share knowledge, provide resources, and drive sustainable development across the entire seaweed value chain. With a strong commitment to responsible practices, we support our members with targeted insights and connections that build resilience in a fast-evolving marketplace.
The network
The Network has been developed in partnership with Seaweed Scotland, WWF-UK, UK Agri-Tech Centre, the Fishmongers' Company, and University College London, bringing together expertise in sustainability, innovation, industry development, and marine science.
This has been strengthened by significant funding support from WWF-UK through their ‘Unlocking the Power of Seaweed’ Project, funded by The National Lottery Climate Action Fund, and supported by an EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) award to UCL (Grant Reference EP/X525649/1) held in UCL Innovation & Enterprise.
The UK Seaweed Network is hosted by Seaweed Scotland (formerly the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association), a membership organisation that has supported Scotland's seaweed sector for over a decade.
The goal of our Network is to sustainably accelerate seaweed sector growth across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
With an established industry, a strong network of members spanning cultivation, wild harvest, processing, and research, and close ties to government and academia, Seaweed Scotland has built the foundations for a thriving sector north of the border.
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The UK Seaweed Network has launched to enable the sector to grow faster and stronger through collaboration across all four nations of the United Kingdom. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own rich seaweed heritage, emerging businesses, and research strengths. By sharing what has been learnt in Scotland (and learning from others in return) progress can be accelerated for everyone: avoiding duplication, connecting supply chains, and presenting a united voice to policymakers and investors.
Strategic priorities
To define the UK Seaweed Network’s strategic priorities and catalyse its long-term development, University College London's Policy Impact Unit and Biochemical Engineering Department are delivering a series of strategically themed regional workshops. These workshops aim to identify the network's vision and strategic objectives, and the key challenges currently hindering the scale-up of the UK Seaweed sector. Please see the 'Workshops' section for further details.
The team
We provide insights and support in relation to all aspects of seaweed cultivation in the UK. We are committed to ensuring the safe and sustainable harvesting of seaweed for generations to come.
Programme Manager,
UK Seaweed Network
Sophie Wood
Sophie has worked in sustainable blue food supply chains and ocean conservation for several years. Most recently she has supported seascape restoration and low trophic aquaculture in the UK. She previously established and led the Nourishing Billions pillar of Friends of Ocean Action (co-led by World Resources Institute and the World Economic Forum).
Key projects included co-creating the Blue Food Partnership and establishing a project to support the work of seafood stakeholders in sustainably maximising seafood by-product utilisation (reducing seafood waste!). The latter project has subsequently become part of the 100% Fish movement as the Namibian Ocean Cluster. Sophie is a member of the British Phycological Society and a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society.
Advisor
Dr Emily Kostas
Dr Emily Kostas is a Lecturer in Sustainable Biorefining & Bioprocessing, and a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at University College London. With over 15 years of experience in applied phycology, she is committed to advancing the sustainable use of seaweeds through innovative bioprocessing strategies that unlock their potential for high-value products, and to establish seaweed as a strategic UK feedstock.
Her research spans seaweed biorefinery design and bio-upcycling of seaweed and waste streams, bridging bioscience and engineering to deliver practical solutions for industry. She also contributes to policy development by working closely with UCL’s Policy Impact Unit, shaping evidence-based strategies to support the growth of the seaweed sector. Emily is an Affiliate Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, a Member of the Royal Society of Biology and the British Phycological Society, and serves as Associate Editor for the European Journal of Phycology, Applied Phycology, and BioEnergy Research.
Advisor
Policy Impact Unit
The Policy Impact Unit (PIU) collaborates with researchers in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences (FES) at University College London (UCL) to design bespoke policy engagement strategies that have real impact. The PIU is a team of professional intermediaries, who collaborate with research teams to translate research for policy audiences and to deliver effective engagement between the two communities. Using innovative and adaptive approaches, the PIU makes policy engagement accessible for researchers and increases the use of FES research in the policymaking process.
Policy Impact Unit
The Policy Impact Unit (PIU) collaborates with researchers in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences (FES) at University College London (UCL) to design bespoke policy engagement strategies that have real impact. The PIU is a team of professional intermediaries, who collaborate with research teams to translate research for policy audiences and to deliver effective engagement between the two communities. Using innovative and adaptive approaches, the PIU makes policy engagement accessible for researchers and increases the use of FES research in the policymaking process.
Mission and Values
The mission and values of the UK Seaweed Network are currently being developed in collaboration with cross-sector stakeholders, including producers, processors, researchers and policymakers.
The aim of the UK Seaweed Network is to help the seaweed industry in the UK to grow sustainably and realise its potential as an innovative and nature positive industry with significant environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Workshops
The five strategically themed workshops led by UCL’s Policy Impact Unit will underpin the basis of the network’s activities, focused on:
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1. Supply Chains
2. Policy and Regulations
3. Manufacturing and Technology
4. Sustainability
5. Products and Markets
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More information will be available as the Network develops. If you are interested in joining any working groups arising from these workshops, please email contact@ukseaweed.org
Supply Chains
You can find the Supply Chain workshop summary report here.
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Policy and Regulations
You can find the Policy and Regulations workshop summary report here.
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Manufacturing and Technology
You can find the Manufacturing and Technology workshop summary report here.
3
Sustainability
The workshop on Sustainability will be held on 23rd April 2026. More information to follow.
4
Products and Markets
The workshop on Products and Markets will be held on 25th June 2026. More information to follow.
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