From 17–19 September 2025, the University of Gdańsk participated in the EMSEA Annual Conference in Ostend, Belgium – a major European event endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Activity.
The event gathered over 100 participants from academia, research institutions, NGOs, policy, education, and the private sector, creating a vibrant platform for dialogue and collaboration around ocean literacy, marine education, and the sustainable blue economy. The conference’s program was structured around several thematic strands, inviting contributions that bridge education, policy, innovation, and community engagement: Ocean Literacy & Blue Economy, Ocean Literacy in the North Sea & Baltic Sea, Ocean Literacy & Education, Future of Ocean Literacy, Ocean Literacy & Advocacy, Ocean Literacy Research & Data.
The University of Gdańsk presented the talk within Ocean Literacy & Blue Economy session:
“Innovative Methods in Ocean Literacy & Blue Economy – Higher Education Practices from the University of Gdańsk” where we showcased AquaLoop Interreg SB training initiative directed to university students: AquaLoop cross-border student exchange program as well as BBT Baltic Hackathon, carried out by the university as part of the Blue Bio Techpreneurs project.
The conference was an excellent opportunity to share our practices, exchange knowledge, and strengthen cooperation with European partners committed to advancing marine sustainability and education. We are grateful to the organizers and participants for the constructive discussions and the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of ocean literacy in Europe.
The European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA) is a network dedicated to promoting marine education, ocean literacy, and connections across sectors and geographies. Through its conferences, resources, regional groups, and partnerships, EMSEA aspires to strengthen understanding and stewardship of the ocean at local, national, and European scales. Together, the network promotes knowledge exchange, capacity building, cross-sectoral partnerships, and the scaling of ocean literacy practices across Europe.This year’s collaboration reflects EMSEA’s role in bridging science, policy, education, and advocacy. The conference was co-organized with Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), EMODNET and EUROGOOS.