Gathering forces for Science-policy nexus, Innovation, and Funding marked the fourth event that the ECOP Programme co-hosted during Ocean Decade Week 2024. This official off-site satellite event was held on Tuesday 9 April at Barcelona Capital Nautica and was co-organized with partners: Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), Nippon Foundation-University of Edinburgh Ocean Voices Programme, Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and International Maine Centre (IMC).
The format of the session provided a dynamic and interactive platform for participants to learn from leading experts across the fields of scientific research, policy, and industry, and was an opportunity to gather multifaceted insights on the key topics of science-policy nexus, innovation and funding. The aim was to illustrate some barriers found for Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) with regards to entry-points into the science-to-policy interface, and through dialogue and exchange, foster collaborative and innovative solutions for positive change. After a short introduction by Maila Guilhon (DOSI, Ocean Voices and Research Institute for Sustainability) and Evgeniia Kostianaia (ECOP Programme), the panels took to the floor.
Panel 1 on Science-policy Interface, featured guest speakers:
Dr Amelia Bridges
Dr Amelia Bridges is a postdoctoral research fellow based at the University of Plymouth in the UK. Her research interests broadly fall into two fields: spatial ecology in the deep sea, and the use of science to inform policy and marine spatial planning. After completing her PhD in ecological studies of the South Atlantic deep sea to inform sustainable management, Amelia worked on several projects including further habitat mapping work in the South Atlantic, capacity development initiatives in small islands developing states, population connectivity assessments in the Pacific and the application of artificial intelligence in image analysis.
Ana Hilário
Ana Hilário is a deep-sea biologist at the Centre for Environment and Marine Studies of the University of Aveiro (Portugal). She holds a BSc in Aquatic Sciences from University of Porto (Portugal) and a PhD in Ocean and Earth Science from Southampton University (UK). In the last 15 years Ana has led several projects and participated in more than 20 oceanographic cruises dedicated to the study of deep-sea ecosystems. Currently she co-leads Challenger 150 (www.challenger150.world), a 10-year programme of deep-sea biological science endorsed by UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Ana’s research focuses on 3 topics in deep-sea biology: 1) biodiversity and biogeography of chemosynthetic ecosystems, 2) life-history traits and 3) population connectivity and its implications for conservation.
Mariana Andrade
Mariana Andrade is an oceanographer engaged in the science-policy interface of ocean governance. She holds a Master’s degree in marine conservation and is a former United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellow and an All-Atlantic Ocean Youth Ambassador. Currently member of the National Decade Committee for the Ocean Decade in Brazil, she is also committed to the UNESCO Ocean Decade Strategic Communications Group and the Brazilian Node for the Early Career Ocean Professionals Programme. Mariana is co-founder of Bloom Ocean and the Women’s League for the Ocean.
Panel 1 was moderated by Mariana Caldeira.
Mariana is a biologist from Brazil who holds an MSc degree in Applied Marine Biology from the University of Aveiro, Portugal. She is passionate about how ocean governance can promote the conservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystems beyond national borders and has been focused on how the new Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement can support effective actions for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. As a member of the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) working group, Mariana is dedicated to fostering opportunities for Early Career Researchers from developing countries. As an OV fellow, she is dedicated to exploring how traditional and cultural knowledge can contribute to fair discussions and decisions for the BBNJ Agreement, driving toward a more sustainable ocean.
During the first panel, the panelists shared insights about the challenges faced by early career professionals, including from from the deep-sea scientists, and showcased opportunities for ECOPs to be more engaged in the science to policy interface. They provided information on possible initiatives and programmes to enhance the participation of ECOPs in international negotiations, which included the Ocean Voices Programme from Nippon Foundation and the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI). A survey questionnaire was shared, which is being used to directly assess the aspirations, challenges, and needs of Early Career Ocean Professionals, in engaging in policy-making at all levels; and help evaluate DOSI’s current support for ECOPs in these processes. Take the survey here: https://deepseaecops.org/survey-english/
All panel participants and the great majority of the audience revealed experience of some sort of challenge to engage into the science-to-policy interface. The three main challenges raised by participants included: 1) not knowing who to approach to engage; 2) lack of financial resources and 3) not being able to identify their role in decision-making spaces. Perspectives regarding main opportunities to contribute to enhancing the participation of ECOPs in decision-making were shared and according to participants; funds, opportunities to engage with delegations and more information on how to engage with policy processes are the main ways forward to further engage ECOPs in decision-making processes.
For Panel 2, on Funding and Innovation, featured guest speakers:
Leandro Angelo Pereira
Professor Leandro works at the Federal Institute of Paraná interdisciplinary in the areas of Environmental Management, Sustainable Development, and Technology. His journey began in aquaculture, in oyster and shrimp production, a topic he worked on during his undergraduate studies in biology and continued with studies in trophic ecology and integrated management during his master’s degree. In his doctoral studies, he did an exchange program in Canada and Cuba, focused on Sustainability Indicators. Since then, he has applied sustainability concepts in technological development projects. His internationally recognized work as an entrepreneurial biologist in the field of technology and innovation has been marked by collaboration with other institutions and research and extension projects. His current interests include technology in environmental management, climate change, innovation with socio-environmental impact, and nature-based solutions.
Adriana Kyvik
Adriana Kyvik has a background in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and a PhD in Materials Science. She has over 5 years of experience in R&D projects, technology transfer and product development. She is SeaTO and Co-founder of B’ZEOS where she has been coordinating several projects within R&D and corporate partners.
Anastasia Varlygina
Anastasia Varlygina is an international serial environmental entrepreneur-innovator, recognized in Forbes’ 30 under 30 list. As the founder and CEO of Ocean Insight, she develops a venture capital firm aimed at bridging the gap between ocean scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and investors to foster technological advancements for ocean research and conservation. Over the last 7 years, she has launched 6 environmental and sustainability projects from scratch in local and international markets. Anastasia has over 170 successful cases in environmental consulting with the corporate sector, including Fortune 500 companies. Anastasia, an Innovation Engineer with a degree from Bauman Moscow State Technical University, focuses her interests at the intersection of innovations, sustainability solutions, and business. She is actively involved in global initiatives and communities such as Women in Tech, Startup Leadership Program, and the Ocean Decade.
Panel 2 was moderated by Evgeniia Kostianaia
Evgeniia Kostianaia is the Global Coordinator of the UN Ocean Decade endorsed Programme: Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP Programme) and Consultant at the IOC-UNESCO. The goal of the Programme is to support Early Career Ocean Professionals in their capacity development and work by providing meaningful networking, training, professional development, funding opportunities and creating capacity for cooperation and knowledge exchange. Evgeniia is a marine environmental manager with research interests in marine pollution, ocean clusters, and connections between climate change and food security, as well as the impacts of climate change on coastal tourism and railway infrastructure. Evgeniia acts as the Moscow Focal Point of the International Ocean Institute (Malta), and is a member of a working group on sustainable development of the Caspian Sea region and the Caspian Integrated Scientific Network (CASPISNET).
The second panel provided a platform for panelists to share knowledge and learnings on funding in the start-up and innovation fields, through which the audience could gain a deeper understanding of current funding challenges for start-ups and organizations. All panelists promoted networking to encourage meaningful connections and to take advantage of in person opportunities (like this event!) to foster potential future collaborations.
The panelists shared experience of their journey in securing funding for their ventures or organizations; discussed key challenges and requirements for funding, and provided advice for individuals starting their own company by reflecting on their own funding failures and lessons learnt.
Event outcomes
This panel event provided an opportunity for meaningful networking, as well as inspiring and promoting innovative thinking for the successful achievement of the UN Ocean Decade Outcomes, and was a chance to explore and discuss key topics of high importance to ECOPs. The event inspired ideas for, and development of, other Ocean Decade Actions and facilitated networking and cooperation, which is absolutely essential for creating new Ocean Decade Actions. Bringing subject matter experts and industry leaders together, and through structured panels, back-and-forth conversations and audience participation, the ECOP Programme is proud to have marked the day before the Ocean Decade Conference, by delivering a such successful, collaborative satellite event.
A huge thank you to all our partners, guests and attendees for their contribution to this event!