- 1Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA (roconnor@stanford.edu)
- 2Smithsonian Tropic Research Institute, Panama City, Panama (spaldinga2@si.edu)
- 3Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK (Mckinleye1@cardiff.ac.uk)
As ocean conditions rapidly transform, understanding human-ocean relationships becomes increasingly critical for effective marine conservation and governance. Despite growing recognition of ocean social sciences' importance in supporting evidence-based policy and management, significant barriers persist in fully integrating these approaches into mainstream ocean science. This presentation synthesizes findings from a recent focus group that examined the current state of ocean social science research and the challenges limiting its integration within broader ocean conservation efforts. We highlight emerging "bright spots" where social science methodologies have successfully enhanced our understanding of human-ocean interactions, particularly in areas of traditional ecological knowledge and community-based conservation. However, our analysis reveals persistent institutional and methodological challenges, including limited funding mechanisms, disciplinary silos, and difficulties in translating social science insights into conservation practice. Drawing from collaborative discussions with international practitioners, we present newly identified pathways for advancing integration, including: (1) developing standardized frameworks for incorporating social science metrics into conservation planning, (2) establishing cross-disciplinary training programs, and (3) creating institutional mechanisms that facilitate knowledge co-production between social and natural scientists. These solutions represent critical steps toward a more holistic approach to ocean stewardship that bridges multiple knowledge systems and supports inclusive, effective marine conservation strategies.
How to cite: OConnor, R., Spalding, A., and McKinley, E.: Addressing Challenges and Seizing Opportunities for Ocean Social Sciences, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-362, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-362, 2025.