A new report highlights the pressing imperative to diversify the marine and coastal practitioner community. The report identifies the need to bring in the perspectives and energy of currently underrepresented groups, so that the full spectrum of ideas and solutions for the crises and opportunities of our time can be heard and included.

In considering their evolving role in helping improve the lack of diversity in the marine and coastal sector, Ocean and Coastal Futures (OCF), in partnership with Pelagos, recently carried out a comprehensive desk review and a series of stakeholder interviews to deeply explore the issue and the root causes of the problem. While much research has explored issues of equity, diversity and inclusion across the environmental sector, very little has explored the wider marine and coastal sector in isolation.

The study highlights research which found that marine science is the least ethnically diverse degree in the UK, with only 2% of UK undergraduates in potential feeder subjects to the marine and coastal sector identifying as Black. There are also known to be significant barriers to entering and progressing within the sector for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and for disabled people.

Through this research, OCF and Pelagos explored inequality of access to blue spaces, the brand imagery of marine science, the ‘leaky pipeline’ in universities and the lack of belonging experienced within the sector workplace.

Due to the varied stakeholders across the sector and the complex issues contributing to the lack of ethnic diversity within it, this report does not set out a route map for change. Instead, it intends to get the whole sector quickly up to speed with the dynamics of the issue, set out a vision of success and signpost to organisations, tools and networks to accelerate change. It encourages all senior leaders to take the time to reflect on their organisations within this broader context and how they can contribute internally and externally to this much needed change.

Conference Bursary
Alongside the research, a bursary was introduced for the 2024 Coastal Futures conference for 18-30 year olds from diverse backgrounds who most needed help with the costs associated with attendance. Dozens of applications were received, and seven bursaries were awarded to young people currently underrepresented in the sector.

Community of Practice
A group of individuals from a range of organisations across the marine and coastal sector met early in 2024 to share ideas, learn from each other, and join a workshop which aimed to provide learning and development opportunities in EDI.  The Community of Practice event brought together HR Professionals, EDI Leads and Strategic Leads from across the marine and coastal sector for the first time. The event received excellent feedback from attendees and there was a strong wish to continue such an initiative.

Next steps
Due to the interest and success of the Community of Practice meeting and the bursary, Ocean and Coastal Futures hopes to continue and expand both in 2025 and will also aim to convene a steering group to help advise and push for greater diversity across the sector and at our events in the coming years.

The research, bursary and Community of Practice event were supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

For information on future research, the Community of Practice, bursary or steering group, please get in touch: rosie@pelagos.com

Read the full report: Ethnic Diversity in the UK Marine and Coastal Sector – Accelerating Change