The EMSEA Annual Conference 2026 will take place in Barcelona, Spain, from 30 September to 2 October 2026.
This year’s edition is proudly hosted by the Institut de Ciències del Mar in collaboration with SUBMON, and Plàncton Divulgació i Serveis Marins.
Join us by the Mediterranean coast for three days of inspiring talks, networking, workshops, and collaboration advancing marine science education across Europe and beyond. More details and call for contributions will follow soon — we look forward to welcoming you in Barcelona!
SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT here
ABSTRACT TOPICS
During the EMSEA Annual Conference 2026 we will focus the presentations and panels on the following topics:
1. OCEAN LITERACY NETWORKS
This session explores the role of networks in advancing ocean literacy at local, national, regional, and international levels. We welcome abstracts that examine how networks connect educators, scientists, policymakers, NGOs, industry, and communities; how they support knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaboration; and how networked approaches can scale impact, foster innovation, and strengthen collective action for ocean sustainability. Contributions may include governance models, network evaluation, community-building strategies, and lessons learned from existing ocean literacy networks.
2. OCEAN LITERACY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
The Mediterranean Sea is a unique socio-ecological system with rich cultural, environmental, and political diversity. This session invites contributions that focus on ocean literacy initiatives, challenges, and opportunities specific to the Mediterranean context. Topics may include regional cooperation, cross-border initiatives, cultural and historical perspectives, education and awareness linked to Mediterranean environmental pressures, and locally rooted approaches that respond to shared challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and sustainable blue economies.
3. BLUE EDUCATION
Session on ocean literacy and education brings together educators, researchers, and practitioners to share insights, innovations, and best practices that enhance understanding and appreciation of the oceans through educational initiatives. In this session we welcome abstracts about approaches to integrating ocean literacy into formal and informal education, projects integrating and promoting ocean literacy among different educational stakeholders, educational technology and digital resources advancing ocean literacy, interdisciplinary collaborations between educators, scientists, and policymakers, evaluation and assessment of ocean literacy programs in educational settings, etc.
4. CITIZEN SCIENCE
Citizen science plays a vital role in connecting people with the ocean while generating valuable data for research and decision-making. This session invites abstracts on citizen science initiatives that promote ocean literacy, public engagement, and stewardship. Topics may include co-creation with communities, data quality and validation, inclusion and accessibility, digital platforms and tools, links between citizen science and policy, and the educational and societal impacts of participatory ocean research.
5. OCEAN LITERACY AND ART
Art has the power to communicate complex ocean issues in emotional, accessible, and transformative ways. This session explores the intersection of ocean literacy, art, and creative practices. We welcome contributions on artistic aproaches that raise awareness, foster connection with the ocean, and inspire action—such as visual arts, performance, storytelling, music, film, and participatory art. Abstracts may also address collaborations between artists, scientists, educators, and communities, as well as the role of art in public engagement, advocacy, and social change.
6. OCEAN LITERACY RESEARCH & DATA
Ocean literacy is emerging as a dynamic research field, exploring public awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to the ocean. This session focuses on various dimensions of ocean literacy, including methodological innovations in its assessment, its impact on individual and community actions, and cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approaches. A special emphasis will be placed on the role of ocean data—how access to and engagement with ocean data can enhance understanding, inform decisions, and support more ocean-literate societies.
7. OPEN SESSION
You have a story related to ocean literacy that you want to share but it doesn't fit any of the topics? Then the Open session is for you. Submit your abstract here!