Conceptualising Marine Identities, 2022

The research sought to collaboratively lay the foundations of an academic understanding of how the ocean can form part of a person’s identity, enabling future study of the role marine identities play in shaping the relationships people have with the ocean.

An international group of marine researchers and practitioners came together in a workshop to co-produce marine identity conceptualisations. This process was supported by a photovoice collection contributed to by participants.

Collaborators recruited to this project shared up to four images representing marine/ocean identity. All ‘photovoice’ contributions were compiled into an album and shared with participants prior to a co-development workshop. Images with appropriate permission to share are included in this data deposit.

An online co-development workshop was held in November 2022 and was attended by 26 participants working in marine research and/or practice. Participants contributing to the photovoice and/or the workshop came from 17 different nations.<p>The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development identifies ten challenges for humanity to address to secure a sustainable future for the ocean and humanity. This proposal responds to Challenge 10: "Change humanity's relationship with the ocean." Marine citizenship is exercising the right to participate in the transformation of the human-ocean relationship and includes activities ranging from choosing ocean-friendly products to leading campaigns aimed at reducing harmful human impacts upon the ocean. My PhD research suggests there may be a marine identity, through which people are directly dependent on a healthy marine environment, which motivates people to go from caring about the ocean, to taking action to protect it.

The project will convene a workshop and network of international researchers and practitioners to: develop a conceptualisation of marine identities through diverse perspectives, knowledge, research and practice in global communities; interrogate relationships with marine citizenship and ocean literacy; and publish the findings to reach leading environmental researchers.</p>