Publications
The overall aim of this report is to document the experience and knowledge gained during the interdisciplinary workshop coordinated by Giuliana Panieri and Margherita Paola Poto on Ocean Interconnectedness. This event, organized at UiT The Arctic University of Norway on the 19th and 20th of September 2023, served as a pivotal platform for the convergence of various project outcomes. It synergized the achievements of Akma2 Ocean Senses, which advances ocean literacy through multisensory toolkits, alongside the endeavours of ECO_CARE and Follow Your Heart, dedicated to fostering emotional and ecological education and research.
This event marks the kick-off of The Ocean Incubator Network, a newly established network funded by UArctic. Moreover, this workshop welcomed insights and contributions from other projects and departments, including the School of Business and Economics at the UiT The Arctic University of Norway, The Deep Network Project, and The Thalassophile Project. Together, we aim to create a dynamic and comprehensive platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and collaboration in the realm of ocean-related education and awareness.
Cite this article:
Panieri, G., Poto, M. P., Bertella, G., Bertolotto Bianc, G., Médici, N., Murray, E. M., Pandeva, R., & Vita, L. (2023). Ocean Interconnectedness: An interdisciplinary workshop to learn from the ocean, through multisensory activities and reflections on the role of emotions in science and law: Senses & Science, Love & Law. Septentrio Reports (1). https://doi.org/10.7557/7.7271
Ilustration by Valentina Russo (@mucho__amor) https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/SapReps/article/view/7271
The Thalassophile Project is dedicated to universal accessibility in marine science and ocean literacy, with a focus on the d/Deaf and visually impaired communities. By emphasising accessibility, and illustrating how theory is put into practice, the project brings together a network of cross-sector practitioners, combining marine research, education, and universal accessibility expertise. In this way, the authors propose to foster global awareness of marine sustainability put forward in the Sustainable Development Goals targets. Equally, the Thalassophile Project aims to raise awareness within adult education institutions of the significant number of citizens unable to gain access to information, and a corresponding lack of experience and competence in adult educators in producing barrier-free “Blue Education” resources. The project’s practical initiatives address this gap in educational resources by intertwining SDGs 4, 13, and 14 and aligning with international frameworks such as ESD 2030 and UNESCO guidelines. Activities include creating introductory “episodes” as educational tools, an online resource database, and user-friendly factsheets for specific audiences. The theoretical Common Accessibility Framework forms a baseline for all activities, rooted in Universal Design for Learning. These first pilot activities aim to show how more equitable access for adult learners to high-quality information on ocean sciences and literacy can be effectively achieved and at the same time, inspire and empower people and communities to join forces in making this goal a reality. Finally, this chapter describes outreach efforts, including presentations at international conferences.
Cite this chapter:
Pandeva, R., Johansen, C., Williams, R., Carotta, C., Panieri, G. (2024). Universally Accessible Marine Science and Ocean Literacy for All Citizens: The Thalassophile Project. In: Panieri, G., Poto, M.P., Murray, E.M. (eds) Emotional and Ecological Literacy for a More Sustainable Society. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56772-8_10