CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:
Prospective PhD Student
Title: Ocean-Archive.org: A Digital Organism for a Living Ocean
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Keywords: human geography, socio-cultural anthropology, cybergeography, digital anthropology, digital archiving, online communities, marine ecosystems, convivial conservation, critical ocean literacy, regenerative archives
Application form: HERE

How can we cultivate regenerative digital archives to advocate for Critical Ocean Literacy and mobilize toward collective action?

The PhD research will revolve around the case study of Ocean-Archive.org, an online platform that is designed as a tool for inter- and/or transdisciplinary research, translating current knowledge into a shared language that fosters synergy among art, science, policy, and conservation. The platform investigates the potential of storytelling and transdisciplinary collaboration within and beyond archival practices. It strives to expand critical ocean literacy in a time of great necessity and catalyzes collective action for a living Ocean. The aim of Ocean-Archive.org is to bring together the multitude of voices and journeys around the Ocean and other water bodies. With its community-building branch—ocean comm/uni/ty—the platform instigates conversations, connections and collaboration among the members. Through practices of listening, co-creation, and critical thinking, this digital ecosystem attempts to abolish homogenous structures in favor of more heterogeneous thinking through the nourishment of decolonial practices, Indigenous knowledges, and more-than-human coexistence.

We invite researchers with a human geography and/or a socio-cultural anthropology background and interested in artistic and/or design research infused with marine sciences and digital to actively work with the ecosystem of Ocean-Archive.org and to collaborate with its existing online ocean comm/uni/ty.

Learn more about the position, requirements, and the expected result HERE.

MEDiverSEAty is a European Doctoral Network investigating the human dimensions of Mediterranean Marine Biodiversity. Despite ongoing efforts to conserve Mediterranean biodiversity, there remains a pressing need for more effective implementation of existing conservation measures. MEDiverSEAty proposes integrating the human dimension into biodiversity studies and conservation strategies to address this challenge. Recognizing the significant scientific and social relevance of these dimensions, the project emphasizes areas such as marine citizen science, maritime spatial planning, marine heritage, and the economic values of marine biodiversity.

MEDiverSEAty seeks to advance the international discourse by translating this multifaceted perspective into concrete actions, policies and strategies. A critical observation is the absence or oversimplification of ‘diversity’ (in terms of cultures, roles, societies, attitudes, identities) as a crucial factor influencing Europeans’ relationship with marine biodiversity in current political and scientific discussions.

To bridge these gaps, MEDiverSEAty is launching a Doctoral Network Training and Research Program. This program, involving partners from six European countries (Italy, Malta, France, Spain, Montenegro and Greece), focuses on two pillars essential to contemporary marine sciences, policies, and education: Ocean Literacy and Marine Biodiversity Conservation.

The project is funded by HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN.