The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Ocean Literacy: A Pioneering Forum for Ocean Knowledge and Sustainability
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Ocean Literacy (SPSAS-OL) is poised to convene from August 19 to September 1, 2025, at the Federal University of São Paulo’s Institute of Marine Science (IMar-UNIFESP), located in the vibrant port city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. This event represents a landmark initiative aimed at fostering a comprehensive understanding of ocean literacy, bridging scientific disciplines, indigenous knowledge, sustainable practices, and policy frameworks to address the multifaceted challenges facing the world’s oceans.
Ocean literacy transcends singular academic fields, encompassing a broad spectrum of sectors including education, conservation, climate resilience, economics, and communication. Central to this concept is the recognition of the invaluable insights held by Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, whose intimate knowledge of local ecosystems and sustainable resource management can serve as a catalyst for global sustainability efforts. By intertwining such diverse perspectives, the School aims to illuminate pathways toward a more harmonious interaction between humanity and marine environments.
Open to a diverse pool of applicants—including graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, professionals, and traditional knowledge holders—this advanced science school nurtures a transdisciplinary approach to ocean science. Participants keen on deepening their understanding of sustainability, education, and the science-policy interface related to oceans will find themselves immersed in a rigorous and stimulating academic environment, designed to foster collaboration across disciplines and geographies.
The academic program is structured around four comprehensive modules aligned with the Vision 2030 (Challenge 10) of the United Nations Ocean Decade. These modules are designed to engage participants in cutting-edge scientific discussions while embedding their learning within the strategic ambitions to protect, understand, and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. This targeted approach ensures the educational experience is both deep and actionable, empowering upcoming generations of ocean leaders.
A highlight of the School is its roster of internationally renowned speakers, whose expertise spans policy, communication, traditional governance, and ocean science. Among the distinguished lecturers are Diz Glithero, executive director of the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition and Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University, Canada; Anthony A. Leiserowitz, a front-runner in climate change communication based at Yale University; Carmen Santos, former Dean of the University of Namibe and Angola’s former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources; as well as Francesca Santoro from UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and Angelo Bernardino, professor of Oceanography at Brazil’s Federal University of Espírito Santo. Their presence ensures an unparalleled blend of scientific knowledge and policy insights.
The School also warmly welcomes media professionals to register for scientific sessions and short courses, which promise access to state-of-the-art marine science, recent breakthroughs, and innovative approaches to ocean literacy and sustainability. This inclusion aims to broaden public engagement with ocean science, amplifying the discourse to wider audiences.
Support for this event stems from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), a public institution dedicated to advancing scientific research across diverse fields. FAPESP’s São Paulo School of Advanced Science Program underwrites the School’s activities, including full financial coverage of travel, accommodation, food, and travel insurance for foreign participants—an investment demonstrating the importance of international collaboration in advancing ocean science and literacy.
Around 100 applicants will be selected, balanced evenly between Brazilian nationals and international candidates, highlighting the School’s commitment to global dialogue. The selection process favors diversity, explicitly encouraging participation from Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant communities, and persons with disabilities, with the Organizing Committee empowered to award bonuses reflecting these priorities. Such inclusivity ensures that multiple voices and perspectives enrich the discussions on ocean literacy.
Selection criteria meticulously evaluate candidates’ academic trajectory, recent performance, and motivation. The assessment includes curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and letters of intent, all scrutinized with an intent to maintain gender balance and ethnic/racial diversity. This methodical process underscores the School’s dedication to both excellence and equity in its community.
Registrations are accepted via the event’s official website until May 24, 2025. This deadline reflects the highly competitive nature of the program, ensuring that candidates prepare thoughtful and comprehensive applications. The online platform serves as a portal not only for application but also for updates and resource sharing, integrating modern communication modalities into the School’s framework.
In essence, the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Ocean Literacy stands as a beacon of integrated marine education and science-policy engagement. By fostering a rich confluence of traditional knowledge and contemporary science, and by mobilizing cross-sectoral expertise, this initiative aims to catalyze transformative outcomes aligned with global ocean sustainability goals. Its impact will undoubtedly resonate far beyond the city of Santos, contributing to the international efforts to safeguard the health and future of the oceans.
The involvement of FAPESP emphasizes the School’s strategic importance within both the Brazilian and international research landscapes. FAPESP’s long-standing commitment to fostering scientific innovation and its strategic partnerships with organizations worldwide amplify the event’s potential to nurture impactful collaborations in ocean literacy and related disciplines.
More than an academic event, the SPSAS-OL embodies a global movement towards inclusive, interdisciplinary, and actionable knowledge on oceans. As the world grapples with climate change, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic pressures on marine systems, initiatives like this are critical to cultivating informed leaders equipped to shape sustainable futures.
Prospective participants and interested parties are encouraged to engage with this opportunity to deepen their expertise, expand their networks, and contribute to a critical global conversation. The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Ocean Literacy is not just a meeting of minds—it is a platform for shaping the stewardship of our planet’s most vital ecosystems.
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Subject of Research: Ocean Literacy, Ocean Science, Sustainable Resource Management, Science-Policy Interface
Article Title: The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Ocean Literacy: Shaping the Future of Ocean Understanding and Sustainability
News Publication Date: June 2025 (anticipated)
Web References: https://spsasoceanliteracy.maredeciencia.eco.br/, http://espca.fapesp.br/home
Keywords: Ocean literacy, marine science, sustainable development, indigenous knowledge, science education, UN Ocean Decade, environmental policy, climate resilience, interdisciplinary research, Brazil, FAPESP
