Are you a professional communicator working in a marine institute, governmental body or a NGO, or a marine scientist that would like to be speed-trained by experts in the skills of modern ocean science communication? Then CommOCEAN is for you. Our conference programme combines hands-on exercises in current science communication skills for disseminating ocean research and technology, with plenty of expertise-sharing, social interaction and fascinating marine science along the way.
Dissemination, outreach and communication of scientific knowledge are becoming more and more important in today’s society, where social inclusion is an integral part of environmental protection and sustainable development. This is particularly true for the world of ocean research, a world that is largely hidden from our view, representing an added challenge to the communication of marine research. From its inception, the Ocean Literacy movement has advocated closer interaction between marine scientists, educators and other stakeholders (the public, policy-makers, private sector),and inspired new events and networks all over the world. CommOCEAN is a prime example of such new initiatives. The conference, as the International Marine Science Communication Conference, is organized by the European Marine Board Communications Panel (EMBCP) and was organized in the first instance by CIIMAR and Ciencia Viva in Porto in 2014. The 2nd edition, held in Bruges-Ostend in 2016 was organized by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in partnership with EMB and UNESCO/IOC/IODE, and incorporated a 1-day training program in the InnovOcean facilities in Ostend. The 3rd edition took place in Southampton in 2018, organised by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC). The 4th conference was an online event, organised by the Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN). The 5th conference in 2022 is organised by the University of Montpellier and will have in person sessions in Sète and online, ensuring a relevant, challenging and inspiring programme.
