Developing human capital for successful implementation of international marine scientific research projects

Abstract

The oceans play a crucial role in the global environment and the sustainability of human populations, because of their involvement in climate regulation and provision of living and non-living resources to humans. Maintenance of healthy oceans in an era of increasing human pressure requires a high-level understanding of the processes occurring in the marine environment and the impacts of anthropogenic activities. Effective protection and sustainable resource management must be based, in part, on knowledge derived from successful research. Current marine research activities are being limited by a need for high-quality researchers capable of addressing critical issues in broad multidisciplinary research activities. This is particularly true for developing countries which will require the building of capacity for marine scientific research. This paper reviews the current activities aimed at increasing marine research capacity in developing and emerging countries and analyses the challenges faced, including: appropriate alignment of the research goals and societal and policy-relevant needs; training in multidisciplinary research; increasing capacity for overall synthesis of scientific data; building the capacity of technical staff; keeping highly qualified personnel in marine scientific research roles; cross-cultural issues in training; minimising duplication in training activities; improving linkages among human capital, project resources and infrastructure. Potential solutions to these challenges are provided, along with some priorities for action aimed at improving the overall research effort. AbstractThe oceans play a crucial role in the global environment and the sustainability of human populations, because of their involvement in climate regulation and provision of living and non-living resources to humans. Maintenance of healthy oceans in an era of increasing human pressure requires a high-level understanding of the processes occurring in the marine environment and the impacts of anthropogenic activities. Effective protection and sustainable resource management must be based, in part, on knowledge derived from successful research. Current marine research activities are being limited by a need for high-quality researchers capable of addressing critical issues in broad multidisciplinary research activities. This is particularly true for developing countries which will require the building of capacity for marine scientific research. This paper reviews the current activities aimed at increasing marine research capacity in developing and emerging countries and analyses the challenges faced, including: appropriate alignment of the research goals and societal and policy-relevant needs; training in multidisciplinary research; increasing capacity for overall synthesis of scientific data; building the capacity of technical staff; keeping highly qualified personnel in marine scientific research roles; cross-cultural issues in training; minimising duplication in training activities; improving linkages among huma...

Fostering effective international collaboration for marine science in small island states

“…• Fund the vital knowledge-sharing and networking activity of marine science conference attendance for local scientists (Morrison et al, 2013).…”

“…Policy-makers hope marine science needs in small island states can eventually be met by regional self-sufficiency (e.g., inter-Caribbean collaboration), with foreign entities providing the majority of funding, training, and technology to transition to this target (Mahon, 2006;Fanning et al, 2011;Morrison et al, 2013). For foreign scientists, it is important to understand existing marine science capacity in these states when establishing research partnerships, and plan to build on, not duplicate it.…”

“…Small island states tend to have fewer, smaller, and less well-funded research institutions, yet are responsible for comparatively larger marine territories and face multiple management challenges (Mahon, 2006;Morrison et al, 2013). This heightened vulnerability and limited capacity led to an explicit and urgent call following the 3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS Conference, 2014) to improve the comprehensiveness of marine science in small island states, thus enabling data-based responses to environmental shocks (General Assembly resolution 69/15) 3 .…”

Interdisciplinary knowledge exchange across scales in a globally changing marine environment

“…Additionally, the continued investment in the interdisciplinary literacy of scientists should be a part of career development (Table ). Nurturing such literacy could lead to more effective collaborations and better climate change governance through clearer communication with stakeholders (Hiwasaki, Luna, Syamsidik, & Marçal, ), although it would need an overhaul of current typically disciplinary‐focused funding review and promotion processes (Morrison et al., ). The integration of art and science to creatively inspire new approaches and to communicate climate change to stakeholders through artworks is an example of collaborations that could be achieved with greater training of scientists in interdisciplinarity (Jacobson, Seavey, & Mueller, ; Lesen, Rogan, & Blum, ).…”

Oceans, seas and sustainable development: Preparedness of developing countries

“…Such is the case for example, of some of the very successful and sought-after capacity building programs of the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) of the IOC (http:// www.iode.org). Many other organizations also contribute but as a component of their broader S&T portfolio (see for example, Table 1 in Morrison et al, 2013;Nauen and Hempel, 2011 for fisheries). Furthermore, advanced oceanographic Institutions in Europe, Asia and North America have bilateral arrangements to support projects that call for young scientists from North and South to work together on scientific issues of national importance.…”