Innovating Ocean Governance: Affective Bureaucracies and the Wisdom of Lived Experience

A decade of datafication in global governance has fueled a shift from "more data" to "data for action," emphasizing the need for evidence-based decision-making to drive meaningful change. However, despite the United Nations' Ocean Decade initiative's focus on science-based action for ocean sustainability, current methodologies often fail to account for the emotional and irrational aspects of human behavior that influence decision-making. This gap hampers the ability to translate existing knowledge and public awareness into actionable solutions.

This abstract introduces the concept of "affective bureaucracies," a pioneering framework that integrates artistic practices and emotional engagement into bureaucratic processes. Central to this approach is the recognition that expertise and creativity already exist within the lived experiences of ordinary citizens and civil society. Affective bureaucracies not only amplify these voices but also cultivate new ways of engaging and drawing on collective knowledge. By creating interactive interfaces that elevate local voices, this approach redefines governance as an inclusive and adaptive process, fostering empathy and imagination to tackle the complexities of ocean sustainability.

Two case studies illustrate the practical application of this framework. The first, conducted with the Port Authority in Santander, Spain (October–December 2024), engaged citizens, civil society, and stakeholders across science, policy, and art in meaningful dialogue and participatory action. The second, set in Burgas, Bulgaria, will begin its first phase in Spring 2025, further exploring the intersections of community engagement, artistic intervention, and policy development. Both case studies are supported by local governance actors such as mayors, city councils, and port authorities, as well as prominent art institutions including Santander Creativa, TBA21, fluent, and others. These activities leverage the unique infrastructures of ports as spaces for innovation and collaboration, demonstrating the transformative potential of affective bureaucracies.

Platforms like Organismo and the Ministries of the Ocean exemplify the interdisciplinary collaborations required to operationalize this framework. By combining art, education, and science, these initiatives explore new methods for engaging communities in decision-making and policy implementation.

In conclusion, affective bureaucracies offer an innovative pathway to bridge the gap between knowledge and action. This framework invites scientists, policymakers, artists, and communities to collaborate in fostering more empathetic and impactful responses to the urgent challenges of ocean sustainability.