Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the 4th International Marine Science Communication Conference (CommOCEAN 2020) took place as an online event on December 1-2, 2020. It was organized by the European Marine Board Communication Panel (EMBCP), and hosted by the Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences (Institute of Oceanology PAN, Poland).
The 2 full day programme of the conference was divided into plenary and breakout sessions, workshops and a Show and Tell exhibition. A total of 45 presentations were made and despite the virtual meeting limitations, the conference still attracted presenters and workshop facilitators, who made 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.
Marine science communicators from around the world gathered for this virtual conference. Attendees were invited to drop a pin on a map and provide a brief introduction to themselves and their work (see Conference Materials).
Programme overview:
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Day One
Block 1 – Breakout sessions
On science communication, ocean-human relationships (ocean literacy), awareness activities for younger generations, citizen science mapping tool, anthropogenic underwater noise.
Block 2 – Breakout workshops
On marine sci-comms ‘What is our recipe for success?’, ‘How to connect marine science to society using the European Atlas of the Seas’, ‘Speaking to Mermaids and Pirates!’ engaging with future marine experts.
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Day Two
Block 1 – Breakout sessions
On women and oceanography, ‘10 years of EMODnet in 10 minutes’ , underwater technology podcast, communicating marine science to coastal communities, diverse approaches to communicate about ocean and climate change.
Block 2 – Breakout sessions
On science, art, technology & knowledge, communication effectively within and beyond academia, state of the art of citizen science in Europe, sonifications to increase Ocean literacy, design and dissemination of effective Policy briefs and communication products.
Block 3 – Breakout workshops
On inclusive communication ‘How Ocean Literacy can be accessible to all’, ‘Communicating Ocean Science for Impact’, ‘Going digital: using virtual tools to foster marine citizenship’, ‘5 Social Media Strategies to Generate Global Reach on Marine Communications’.
