After obtaining a MSc in Biology (Belgium – Norway) and MRes in Marine Mammal Science (Scotland), Helena Voet obtained her PhD candidate at Ghent University (Belgium). She was involved in the BELSPO project PERSUADE (ExPERimental approaches towards Future Sustainable Use of North Sea Artificial HarD SubstratEs), studying the combined effects of offshore wind farms, climate change and aquaculture on the marine ecosystem functioning.