Co-designing and Co-producing solutions
Twenty years ago, our founding legislation called on us to strengthen the connections between ocean science and management in California. Today, two decades later, the climate crisis has exacerbated the need for science-driven approaches, while already causing negative ecosystem impacts and widening inequities in coastal communities. As we seek and advocate for new funding for science that will address our state’s priorities, we champion the pursuit of engaged research initiatives that center stakeholder and community needs and interests, and foster mutually beneficial research partnerships.
Bringing Social Science Forward
For far too long, the social sciences have not been given the credit and attention they deserve as core to progressing towards a healthy, equitable and sustainable California coast and ocean. We focus on building transdisciplinary collaborations to increase the use and value of social sciences – including economics, anthropology, behavioral sciences, alternative ways of knowing, and many more – in addressing emerging issues in California. We are committed to bringing multiple voices, fresh ideas and perspectives, and diverse sources of knowledge to develop actionable and durable solutions for California’s coastal communities and ocean ecosystems.
In this role, we are committed to:
- Growing and diversifying the scientific community engaged in research aligned with California’s policy needs.
- Accelerating the development of solutions that mitigate harm from climate change impacts, and build social and ecological resilience for the future.
- Deepening understanding of science as a source of actionable solutions and roadmaps for wise investments.
- Promoting opportunities for early career researchers.
