About the lecture
Professor Lepper’s Inaugural Lecture will explore the challenge of offshore renewable energy developments in areas that still contain unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the First and Second World Wars – examining why these munitions remain a concern, more than 80 years on, particularly during offshore construction.
He will highlight the significance of underwater sound and vibration as well as their potential impacts on marine life, particularly protected species, as well as environmental regulations.
Supported by trial results and case studies, he will discuss traditional high-order bomb disposal techniques and the environmental problems they can cause. He will also introduce newer low-order disposal methods that could potentially reduce underwater noise and ecological disturbance while maintaining safety.
In addition, he will discuss recent legislative changes and current research into seabed vibration and particle velocity.
He will conclude his lecture by considering how industry, regulators and researchers can balance the expansion of net-zero renewable energy infrastructure with the need to protect marine ecosystems, ensuring sustainable development and a healthier future for our oceans.
About the lecturer
Professor Paul Lepper is a physicist and engineer who has specialised in underwater acoustics and bioacoustics for more than three decades.
His research spans the measurement and characterisation of underwater noise sources arising from offshore operations including marine renewables (wind, wave and tidal), oil and gas (exploration and production), shipping, aquaculture, UXO clearance and defence. He also studies the hearing and behavioural response of marine mammals and fish, focusing on the impact of human noise on marine fauna.
He has published over 60 journal articles and book chapters as well as in excess of 250 conference papers and technical reports, including multiple industry leading best-practice guides.
Since spring 2026, he has held a joint appointment with Loughborough University and the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington. He was Vice-President (International) and a Member of Council for the Institute of Acoustics (UK) for six years (2018-24), and served as General Secretary of the European Acoustics Association (EAA) from 2019-22.
He leads a multi-disciplinary research group in the areas of acoustics and vibration measurement as well as marine system and marine UAV (drone) operations. He also leads the technical operation of the University’s underwater tank facility.
For further information on this lecture, please contact the Events team.
