The project advanced beyond the state of the art through innovative approaches reconnecting science with society. Key advancements include public engagement strategies utilizing interactive methods, tailored youth activities through educational collaborations, and impact assessment methodology analyzing public perception and effective communication strategies.
Achievements resulted in significant outcomes: enhanced public recognition of science, increased scientist-public trust and engagement, socio-economic impact through skilled workforce development, and wider societal implications addressing climate change and environmental degradation in the Mediterranean. The project increases public trust in science, empowers youth toward research careers, promotes environmental resilience, and strengthens science-society relationships.
Activities of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries were presented in:
Eparkhina, D., Banchi, E., Borja, Á., Canu, D., Ezgeta-Balić, D., Giusta, E., King, A., Koulouri, P., Locritani, M., Manca Zeichen, M., Pomaro, A., Petrera, F., Uyarra, M. C., & Valestrand, L. (2026). Scientists for Ocean Literacy: Empowering scientists as ocean advocates. In T. J. Kennedy (Ed.), Ocean Literacy: The Foundation for the Success of the Ocean Decade—Volume I: Transforming Education, Research, and Engagement (Chapter 20). Springer Nature.
This open-access volume demonstrates how EU scientists promote ocean knowledge across target groups and will be published in early 2026 as the first of three volumes during the UN Ocean Decade.
