Oceanography | June 2020
These challenging times provide a welcome opportunity for
reflection. We are rapidly learning new formats to strengthen and
even accelerate global engagement in ocean sciences. However,
not all sectors of the ocean science community have the same
level of access, abilities, choices, and resilience. Those with stable
job situations can weather a pandemic more easily than those
on short-term contracts. Those who live in parts of the world
where the ability to cope with the pandemic is limited, there is
no reliable Internet access, and resources are already scarce for
conducting ocean science research are seeing their possibilities
rapidly declining. A similar level of inequality is found within
the research communities. Those who rely on field- or lab-based
science are more affected by the pandemic than those who pri-
marily analyze existing data, do theoretical work, or use ocean
model simulations. Recent publications show that the pandemic
has disproportionately affected women and those from less-
privileged situations (e.g., Myers et al., 2020).
For The Oceanography Society, the pandemic has high-
lighted the need to reflect on our Society’s values. The cur-
rent, past, and future presidents recently reaffirmed the TOS
values (https://tos.org/diversity) and committed to ensure that
TOS increases its efforts to address issues such as toxic and
non-supportive work climates, the lack of role models, a lack of
a sense of belonging, and non-alignment of promotion and ten-
ure incentives with aspirations of women and underrepresented
minorities in the ocean sciences around the world. We are
about to launch a TOS Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Committee to develop actions. At the same time, we are evaluat-
ing our Society’s financial resilience and exploring new ways to
increase and diversify income streams. We welcome any sugges-
tions and opportunities you might want to bring to TOS.
Finally, we are looking forward to the launch of the UN
Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with its
mission: “Transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable
development, connecting people and our ocean.” The future of
ocean sciences will be more collaborative, more international,
more digital, and more inclusive as we build back from the set-
back of the pandemic to become more resilient and sustainable.
Martin Visbeck, TOS President
REFERENCES
Heslop, E., A. Fischer, T. Tanhua, D. Legler, M. Belbeoch, M. Kramp, and
V. Lindoso. 2020. Covid-19’s impact on the ocean observing system and
our ability to forecast weather and predict climate change. Briefing note,
Global Ocean Observing System, Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission of UNESCO, June 29, 2020, https://www.goosocean.org/index.
php?option=com_oe&task=viewDocumentRecord&docID=26920.
Myers, K.R., W.Y. Tham, Y. Yin, N. Cohodes, J.G. Thursby, M.C. Thursby, P. Schiffer,
J.T. Walsh, K.R. Lakhani, and D. Wang. 2020. Unequal effects of the COVID-19
pandemic on scientists. Nature Human Behaviour, https://doi.org/10.1038/
s41562-020-0921-y.
THE OCEANOGRAPHY SOCIETY’S
HONORS PROGRAM
One of the most meaningful aspects of being a
member of The Oceanography Society (TOS) is
the opportunity to recognize and celebrate our
colleagues’ accomplishments. Please take this
opportunity to recognize a colleague, mentor, team,
or peer for their exceptional achievements and
contributions to the ocean sciences.
DON’T MISS THE
NOVEMBER 15, 2020
NOMINATION DEADLINE FOR
TOS FELLOWS PROGRAM
Recognizing individuals who have attained
eminence in oceanography through their
outstanding contributions to the field of
oceanography or its applications
TOS EARLY CAREER AWARD
For having demonstrated extraordinary scientific
excellence and the potential to shape the future
of oceanography
TOS MENTORING AWARD
For excellence and/or innovation in mentoring
the next generation of ocean scientists
OCEAN OBSERVING TEAM AWARD
Recognizing teams for innovation and excellence
in sustained ocean observing for scientific and
practical applications
Oceanography | June 2020