Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Practitioners: Training Coastal Zone Managers.

Abstract

This article describes how a Masters Coastal Zone Management (CZM) course has been designed to ensure the gap between academia and practitioners has been bridged to develop students who are well-equipped for the workplace. The course has a robust underpinning of science, but it is strongly vocational to ensure students develop a wide range of knowledge and skills. The MSc CZM in Bournemouth has been guided by practitioners in the field, including placement hosts and employers, to ensure that skills development is embedded into the curriculum. Existing best practice is discussed and evaluated with a view to providing recommendations for postgraduate level courses requiring a fine balance of academic content and vocational relevance.