The opening statement of the UN Ocean Decade - “the science we need for the ocean we want” - underscores the vital role of (scientific) knowledge in shaping oceans’ future. It also raises questions such as: what kind of science do we need? How are priorities determined? Who does “we” refer to? Using these questions as a starting point, this module critically explores the relationships between science and society.

The course examines how knowledge, expertise, and collaboration are defined, and valued with a focus on marine and environmental governance. We discuss issues of equity and justice in research and policy. Students learn about science–policy interactions, boundary organizations, the politics of participation, and different modes of inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration. Throughout the module, students are encouraged to critically analyze how (scientific) knowledge production is shaped by geographies, histories, technologies, discourses and people’s diverse experiences and visions. The course equips students to engage with multiple perspectives when examining (marine) socio-environmental issues and to identify possibilities for more inclusive and just relations.

By the end of the course the students will be able to

Expertise / Fachkompetenzen

• Critically examine how expertise is defined and how different ways of knowing are valued in marine and environmental governance
• Recognize how different perspectives and approaches shape the understanding and management of socio-environmental issues.
• Engage with questions of equity, justice and inclusivity in marine and environmental governance.

Methodological skills / Methodenkompetenzen

• Document and analyze different perspectives about contested issues in ocean and environmental governance via a case study exercise.
• Present, summarize and discuss readings in (marine) social sciences
• Reflect on the role of disciplinary trainings and backgrounds in shaping scientific practices

Social and self-skills / Sozial- & Selbstkompetenzen

• Read independently through the literature list
• Reflect on the role of own trainings and background in understanding ocean sciences and governance
• Design and execute collaborative projects on contested issues in ocean and environmental governance.