The Ocean & Society Survey: A Global Tool for Understanding People–Ocean Connections and Mobilizing Ocean Action

Jen McRuer, Diz L. Glithero, Emma McKinley, Jordi F. Pagès, Géraldine Fauville, Elisabeth S. Morris-Webb, Natalie Hart, Craig Strang, Ronaldo Christofoletti, Sophie Hulme, Elliot Grainger, Bárbara Pinheiro, Diana L. Payne, Nicola Bridge, Vinicius Lindoso, Ivan Machado Martins, David Zandvliet, Marilia Bueno Fernandes, Janaina Bumbeer and Rebecca Shellock
Additional contact information
Jen McRuer: Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, Dalhousie University, Canada
Diz L. Glithero: Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, Dalhousie University, Canada
Emma McKinley: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, UK
Jordi F. Pagès: Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain
Géraldine Fauville: Department of Education, Communication and Learning, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Elisabeth S. Morris-Webb: Nordland Research Institute, Norway
Natalie Hart: Insight and Strategy Unit, Communications INC, UK
Craig Strang: Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, USA
Ronaldo Christofoletti: Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
Sophie Hulme: Communications INC, UK
Elliot Grainger: Insight and Strategy Unit, Communications INC, UK
Bárbara Pinheiro: Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
Diana L. Payne: Connecticut Sea Grant, University of Connecticut, USA / National Marine Educators Association, USA
Nicola Bridge: Ocean Advocacy and Engagement, Ocean Conservation Trust, UK
Vinicius Lindoso: Research for Purpose, Brazil
Ivan Machado Martins: Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
David Zandvliet: Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University, Canada
Marilia Bueno Fernandes: Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
Janaina Bumbeer: Boticario Group Foundation, Brazil
Rebecca Shellock: Centre for Sustainable Development Reform, University of New South Wales, Australia

Ocean and Society, 2025, vol. 2

Abstract:

Recent years have seen calls for improved ways of assessing and understanding ocean literacy across a range of contexts. This article presents collaborative advances toward these ends on a global scale, through the co-creation of the Ocean & Society Survey. This Survey—based on national surveys in Canada, Brazil, and the UK—and the collaboration of 20 core partners, aims to capture diverse people–ocean connections. The article outlines the Ocean & Society Survey’s objectives to: (a) strengthen people–ocean relationships by exploring how people understand, value, and/or engage with the ocean; (b) guide pathways of engagement by identifying behavioural motivations, barriers, and enablers; (c) generate insights to inform targeted, audience-specific ocean communications campaigns; (d) demonstrate the value of transdisciplinary partnerships; and (e) better understand what influences peoples’ interests and concerns about the ocean, alongside the willingness and capacity to take action and make informed decisions. The article presents the co-design process of the global tool. In particular, it outlines the analytical approach using thematic, dimensional, and metric indices to compile a question set that can be used to achieve the above objectives by comparing public ocean perceptions over time and across regions. It discusses processes of external review, piloting, and launch in the lead-up to the third UN Ocean Conference, and the projected trajectory until 2030.

Keywords: Ocean Decade Challenge 10; ocean literacy; ocean literacy research; public ocean perceptions; strategic ocean communications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:ocesoc:v2:y:2025:a:9809

DOI: 10.17645/oas.9809

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