Marine Science Communication in Europe

The European Marine Board Communications Panel (EMBCP), a pan-European platform for marine science communicators, decided in 2019 to write a policy document, under the auspices and with the support of the European Marine Board (EMB). This document would sketch and analyse the state of the art in the field of marine science communication, aiming to highlight marine science communication as a growing and needed field of activity, and providing recommendations towards its future and developing best practices.

Outputs

Future Science Brief 8, Marine Science Communication in Europe: a way forward (June 2022)

EMB webinar on Marine Science Communication in Europe (June 2022)

 

Background

In times often regarded as the post-truth era, practicing and sharing science is more relevant than ever. This is even more pressing for the marine realm; an environment that is by definition remote, hostile and a long way from everyday routine. On the other hand, the ocean and seas play a vital role in the Earth’s systems and experience an increasing pressure from blue economy activities. This contradiction has set the scene for a global ‘Ocean Literacy’ movement and it underpins the need for proper and impactful marine science communication and outreach.

Active, intensive, and efficient communication of advances in ocean sciences will be a key enabling factor for the success of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). This joint effort between EMBCP and EMB will provide valuable knowledge and a baseline on marine science communication in Europe at the onset of the Ocean Decade.

This working group provides input to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) societal outcome that aims for a transparent and accessible ocean.

 

Objectives

An expert working group drawn inter alia from the EMBCP membership will produce a document which will demonstrate how marine science has strived to communicate its scientific outcomes to a wider audience and to more specific target audiences. It will focus on examples of marine science communication in Europe that have had far-reaching impact, whether in quantity or quality/originality. It will provide a baseline review of how marine science communication is currently done in Europe. It will also look at lessons learnt during the process of communication and at the role of different stakeholders, as well as the relative costs and societal conditions determining what is at stake. The final document will deliver specific recommendations on what can be done to recognise, support and improve marine science communication in Europe.

 

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference produced for the operation and objectives of the Working Group can be consulted here (November 2019).

More information about how the EMB operate can be consulted in this page.

 

Credit picture: Prof. Dr. Frank Oliver Glöckner

 

Contact at European Marine Board Secretariat: Ángel Muñiz Piniella Email