Activities

Asking the Experts

Listening to: Marine experts / Medical 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.

Project partners involved

European Marine Board

European Marine Board

Paula Kellett

Paula Kellett

Science Officer

Sheila JJ Heymans

Sheila JJ Heymans

Ecosystem Modeller

Claire Eatock

Claire Eatock

Project Manager

Lora E Fleming

Lora E Fleming

Professor of Oceans and Human Health

Related content

  • Blog
  • 30 May 2018

Expert workshop #1

SOPHIE members gathered in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland in April, to take part in the first of two expert workshops.

Activities

Community Platform

A space for researchers and professionals to meet, interact and build working partnerships.

Activities

Citizen Science Program

This project has created awareness of Oceans and Human Health issues in the tourism industry.

Activities

Policy Review

By analysing current marine, ecosystem and health management plans, this project has identified how different policies can be brought together.