The health and sustainability of Australia’s oceans depends on more than scientific data and monitoring—it requires a deep understanding of how people interact with, depend on, and make decisions about the marine environment. That’s why the National Marine Science Committee brought together leading researchers and ocean experts to develop a comprehensive new National Marine Science Strategy (2025–2035).
Members of MarSocSciAus came together to develop one of the strategy’s key white papers: Social Science for Meeting Australia’s Ocean Goals. This paper outlines how marine social sciences can be integrated into Australia’s marine research and policy framework to create ocean outcomes that are more responsive, trusted, and beneficial for our communities, industries, and ecosystems.
The white paper presents a structured framework for marine social science contributions, organized around three interlinked functions: understanding the human-mediated drivers of ocean health outcomes; designing human-centred ocean actions and innovations; and developing integrated, participatory science programming that supports uptake and impact across diverse contexts and knowledge systems. Importantly, the paper emphasizes partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their leadership in ocean management and knowledge stewardship.
Three priority areas were identified for advancing marine social sciences:
Incorporating marine social sciences into research and infrastructure – Integrating social science expertise and methods into Australia’s marine research programs and data systems.
Building capability – Developing the national capacity to undertake integrated marine science that bridges natural and social sciences.
Recognising diverse knowledge systems – Working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge holders and supporting the weaving together of different forms of knowledge for equity and impact.
This white paper is one of 21 contributing to the 2025–2035 National Marine Science Strategy and represents the collective expertise of researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders from across Australia’s marine science community. The final papers will be published as a Special Issue in early 2026, providing an enduring reference for ocean science and policy.
Read the full “Social Science for Meeting Australia’s Ocean Goals” white paper and discover more about all the white papers supporting Australia’s ocean future at the National Marine Science Committee website.
