Asking the Experts

This project brought together leaders from a wide variety of fields to create a SOPHIE Expert Group.

The scientific discipline of Oceans and Human Health aims to understand the complex links between oceans and humans, and the threats and opportunities they pose to each other.

In order to understand these connections we must bring people from different fields together—including the marine sector, public health and medicine, law, economics and policy—to combine the interdisciplinary knowledge and perspectives from both researchers and professionals alike.

The Expert Group met at two workshops in Dublin (April 2018) and Ostend (January 2019) to help develop a vision for the future of Oceans and Human Health research in Europe. During the course of the workshops they:

• Explored the current research and policy
• Looked at the risks and benefits from interactions between society and the ocean
• Identified gaps in our collective knowledge and understanding
• Highlighted opportunities for collaboration and interdisciplinary work
• Considered policy changes to further Oceans and Human Health research
• Suggested areas where training may be required
• Identified possible funding options for future research

The outcomes from these sessions have informed the development of a Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) for Oceans and Human Health research in Europe, aimed at funders, policy makers and the research community.

International experts launched the SRA in March 2020 through an online webinar, outlining the roadmap for the future growth of European Oceans and Human Health research. Watch the webinar here.