The Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR): An Interdisciplinary, Networked Approach to Building Canada’s Marine Research Capacity

The Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) is an interdisciplinary Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence, connecting leading marine researchers across the country with trainees, partners and communities. MEOPAR funds research, trains Highly-Qualified Personnel, develops strategic partnerships, and works to support knowledge mobilization in marine challenges and opportunities for the benefit of the Canadian economy and society. As a Network, MEOPAR’s strength lies in our inter-sectoral connections—to researchers, partners, organizations, and Indigenous communities, all of whom have an interest in learning more about risks and opportunities in the marine environment. The Network funds research focusing on the North Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Arctic Ocean, and Salish Sea.

MEOPAR has trained over 700 Highly-Qualified Personnel (“MEOPeers”) since 2012. One in three MEOPeers are international students or researchers who have chosen to study or progress in their research careers in Canada. MEOPAR’s training program builds capacity in interdisciplinary research and 21st-century skills related to marine environmental risk and the required response and policy strategies. Training content is based on MEOPAR's four outcome areas (Ocean Observation; Forecasting and Prediction; Coastal Resilience; and Marine Operations), along with core content areas relevant to Canada’s next generation of marine professionals (Knowledge Translation and Science Communication; Interdisciplinary Research; and Career Development). To help build capacity in marine research, MEOPAR offers a suite of training initiatives to post-secondary students and early-career researchers, including a Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Early Career Faculty grants, travel awards, workshops, International Research Internship and Visiting Scholar funding, and an Annual Training Meeting. These initiatives provide MEOPeers with value-added training opportunities they would not be able to access through their academic programs or research labs. This poster will introduce MEOPAR’s interdisciplinary and intercultural approaches to training the next generation of marine leaders in Canada. Case studies will feature MEOPeers working in the North Atlantic region who are pursuing value-added training opportunities supported by the Network.