Overview

We have partnered with several international research projects who are excited to embed GSS Scholars and Fellows in their projects. The 2022 cohort of Ocean’s GSS Scholars and Fellows will be matched with these partner organizations focused on sustainable oceans research. Over the ten-weeks, this summer the GSS come together as a cohort and then travel to their host site to engage in research and build their professional networks. Below we have listed brief abstracts of the projects that GSS Scholars and Fellows could join, their locations, and the skills that projects are looking for.

No Crises #1

Project abstract: The NoCRISES project is an international collaborative effort to explore ocean resource conflicts with the aim to identify management strategies that enable a fair and sustainable use of ocean resources and services. In the Hawaiian case study, participants will explore management in the context of indigenous small-scale fisheries.

Responsibilities: Develop survey instruments with the PIs and oversee data collection among Hawaiian fishers, fishery managers, NGOs, and community members to inform a cultural consensus analysis and a multi-criteria analysis. Individuals will assist with data collection and conduct a literature review of multi-criteria analysis and cultural consensus analysis for conflict assessments. 

Skills: Sound knowledge of quantitative data social science methods, knowledge of working with indigenous small-scale fisheries, experience working on coastal challenges in Hawaii. Scholars: Background in social science, motivation to work with indigenous small-scale fisheries.

No Crises #2

Project abstract: The NoCRISES project is an international collaborative effort to explore ocean resource conflicts with the aim to identify management strategies that enable a fair and sustainable use of ocean resources and services. This project has 2 components: (1) Translate clear-cut data into a more nuanced understanding of the situations that are presented by the case studies; (2) develop a platform where more nuanced discussion about the conflicts can take place.

Responsibilities: Participants will develop a tool for communication and intervention by adapting pre-existing practices of conflict mitigation within the communities we are working with. This creative approach should be non-exploitative in nature, celebrating the diversity of creative practices and the uniqueness of each community or situation.  

Skills: Sound knowledge in the arts, digital-media, film, music, or performance; experience working on creative projects with indigenous populations.

Future Earth - Coastal Management

Project abstract: The Future Earth Coastal Management group a collaborative effort between Institute for Sustainable Development and Research (ISDR) India and Haldia Institute of Technology, West Bengal, this project focuses on risk management for coastal and marine areas in India.

Responsibilities: Participants will work with a research supervisor to prepare the risk management report and publications for the project. In addition, participants will work with the local community to collect project data and information.

Skills: Computer skills to prepare the research report and data analysis

Future Earth - Ocean KAN

Project abstract: The Ocean Knowledge Action Network is working to facilitate the co-design of ocean science for sustainable development.  The project’s goal seeks to map out who is most affected by ocean change, how should we prioritize these impacts, who can make decisions to address ocean changes or its impacts, what science and data are likely needed to inform these decisions, what scientists are available locally to address these issues, what scientific capacity remains to be secured, and who could fund such co-designed science.

Responsibilities: Participants will help to organize an in-person or remote workshop addressing the mission of the project and produce a co-designed roadmap of opportunities for co-design of ocean science proposals for funding and for UN Decade of Ocean Science endorsement.  

Skills: Familiarity with Google Workspace, Google Sites, and other Google products.  Special language skills are a benefit 

Multi-Frame Submariner

Project abstract: This Project focuses on the promotion of innovation and sustainable use of marine resources by increasing the knowledge and capacity of public and private actors.

Responsibilities: Produce a project report based on qualitative interviews to project stakeholders | Literature review of  tourism for multi-use activities in Norway and USA.

Skills: Knowledgeable of interviewing techniques | able to interact with international stakeholders | Office 365 | Nvivo

Marisco

Project abstract: The MARISCO project establishes the fundamental foundations of linking social science knowledge of values derived from the environment with ecological data of biodiversity change. The project’s participants would assist in collecting and collating information on Wadden Sea NCPs from existing literature sources as well as secondary data via stakeholder interviews and workshops.

Responsibilities: Participants will complete literature reviews of biodiversity-stability relationships in connection to NCPs. Participants will also analyse data using a synthesis matrix to gather a quantitative assessment of NCPs sea monitoring data.

Skills: Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, prior experience conducting literature reviews, prior experience conducting stakeholder interviews, german proficiency is preferred but not required.

SALTMINE

Project abstract: Desalinated seawater is increasingly expected to play a key role in narrowing the water demand-supply gap.  The SALT MINE project attempts to address these challenges through innovation in desalination technology and methods. The tasks will mostly involve Laboratory and field studies on the effect of; i) increased seawater salinity from SDP brine, ii) increased water temperature, iii) process chemical(s) and iv) noise on marine biota including benthos.

Responsibilities: Participants will be expected to perform laboratory and field studies to investigate the combined effects of chemicals and salinity/temperature on selected marine organisms living on the SDP outfall. They may also be expected to complete a literature review pertaining to the desired outcome of the project.

Skills: Fellow: Postgraduate degree in biology or environmental science or equivalent coursework/ work experience.  Scholar: completed courses/classes relevant to the description above.

COAST CARD

Project abstract: The Coastal Ocean Assessment for Sustainability and Transformation is developing a stakeholder-driven tool that monitors, forecasts, and reports the effectiveness of management decisions on coastal and ocean sustainability. The student participant will work with a multinational team of scientists and will assist in socio-environmental report card development, system dynamics modeling, and social network analysis for sites in the Chesapeake Bay, United States; Manila Bay, Philippines; Tokyo Bay and Sekisei Lagoon, Japan; and the Goa coast of India.

Responsibilities: Participants will be tasked with analysis of potential environmental, socio-economic, and socio-environmental justice indicators as well as analysis of preliminary system dynamics model for the Potomac watershed

Skills: Analytical Skills, GIS/spatial analysis, ethnographic methods, R programming language, Adobe Creative Suite would be helpful

A special thanks to our 2022 sponsors: