Ideas from the speakers

When discussing how we can change the condition of our oceans, we often talk about starting with ourselves. However, when the goal is to reach a larger number of people, policy comes into play. And the next question would be: How do we connect science with policy?

The solution starts with training. For a long time, policy stewardship was lacking in the universities and the study programs. This means that someone who has a pure degree in oceanography may never have had any exposure to any coursework on policy. This leads to the need for innovation in the training of young scientists and in the definition of science itself. The next step would be developing exposure through partnerships and communication. In summary, we should aim for science that is youth-inspired, policy-relevant, and interdisciplinary. Another key to enhancing policy stewardship is facilitating the dialogue between policymakers and scientists. Overcoming the language barrier by making the communication more understandable and learning from each other's vocabularies enables better interaction not only between policy and science, but also between investors, decision makers, and society. One way of simplifying communication is by translating scientific knowledge and examples into narratives.

What also shouldn’t be forgotten is that “scientists” are not one homogeneous group but consist of various disciplines, such as social scientists, economists, policy experts, lawyers, and finance experts. We need different disciplines to find solutions to our problems and create change. That is also why science and policy do not happen in sequence but work in parallel. Policymakers need science, and scientists must understand what policymakers need. This leads to what is called science-policy interaction. Policy is a tool that guides us to change. As the example of overfishing shows, “Our ocean is not overfished because of a lack of science”. The Montreal Protocol is a great example of implementing science into policymaking. However, the ocean is still a difficult area to govern because large parts lie beyond national jurisdiction. A possible solution would be something similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), but for the ocean.

Insights from the audience

The audience contributed a very detailed view on the parallel work of science and policy. Policy Does not operate on its own but must take a more holistic approach together with science. To achieve this, six elements should be implemented. The first one is the science itself, followed by education. The next elements are innovation and alternatives to current problems, followed by public engagement, and finally legislation and policy. Education of the future leaders, together with implementation, has a significant impact, because policy without implementation would not make a difference. Another important point is the messages. The content of the messages that scientists want to convey is important, but it is the messenger and the way the message is delivered that truly make an impact. That is the reason the right narrative should be developed to motivate people to act. The narrative should be understandable for various social groups, because it is not only policymakers who are involved, but also investors, corporations, governments, and the general population. Simplified language and a persuasive narrative are key to action. Acronyms and difficult scientific terms can discourage the public and demotivate them from continuing to learn about the topic. However, it is also the incentives for these different social groups that play an important role. An example was regarding scientists. They get enough incentives to publish papers and continue researching, but there are few incentives for them to actually create a real-world impact. Another important aspect is the path from science to policy. The chain consists of additional links, such as law and finance. The legislation enforces policy and obliges people to act. Effective communication with investors enables financial support for the implementation pf policy.