The three-year project, called COZONE, has three specialist areas of interest: beach processes (led by Andrew Chadwick, University of Plymouth), coastal structures (led by Tom Bruce, University of Edinburgh) and coastal waters (led by Graham Copeland, University of Strathclyde).

COZONE aims to encourage new, multi-disciplinary research collaborations amongst interested professionals across the country - bringing together academics, government organisations and businesses.

Andrew Chadwick, Professor of Coastal Engineering, at the University of Plymouth's Department of Civil and Structural Engineering is the COZONE co-ordinator and principal investigator for beach processes. He said: "The project is supported by the Environment Agency and DEFRA, so we hope to see academic research supporting and contributing to government initiatives. COZONE is a unique channel for bringing together experts from all over the country - and anyone with a professional interest in coastal zone problems is welcome to join us, whether they are consulting engineers, council or government employees, or academic researchers. We will explore and agree key issues for research and then work collaboratively to address those issues."

COZONE has launched a dedicated website - cozone.org.uk. The website, which is still under development, provides a networking channel for members, and gives details of forthcoming meetings. When members register they are asked to fill in a short proforma giving details of their areas of interest and expertise. So far, about 80 people have already joined the network, representing a wide variety of organisations including leading academics in the field, research organisations, local and national government officers and consulting civil engineering companies.

COZONE's first general meeting is due to be held on 25 June at King's College, London - details available from http://cozone.org.uk.