Five years ago, a group of scientists coming from disciplines such as marine biology, oceanography, and chemistry embarked on the task of developing an ocean acidification research enterprise. The project was spearheaded by two marine biologists who founded the Equatorial Biome & Ocean...Read more
All Innovating STS exhibits are oriented by nine shared questions in order to generate comparative insight. These are:
ARTICULATION: What STS innovations (of theory, methodology, pedagogy...Read more
Furthering its theme, Innovations, Interruptions, Regenerations , the 2019 annual 4S meeting in New Orleans will include a special exhibit, Innovating STS , that showcases innovations ...Read more
This research project intends to use a diverse range of methodologies, including situation analysis and ethnography. Currently, we are in the process of mapping the actors, social worlds, and positions taken regarding the problems of creating solid ocean acidification data, evidence, and interpretive capacities. Through in-depth interviews with key actors involved in the development of the ocean acidification research enterprise, we have been able to trace the development of their research trajectories, as well as their achievements and setbacks. Creating situation maps of the factors that help and/or inhibit the building of research capacity has been a first step in identifying how these factors could have major implications for crafting different versions of environmental action in Ecuador. Eventually, we will carry out participant observation in scientific labs to better understand information and capacity needs, as well as at scientific outreach events.
Our intention is to carry out collaborative work between social and natural science disciplines. Our theoretical approach is primarily grounded in actor network theory laboratory studies, theory of change for public engagement with science, and the boundary objects concept. Through these theoretical lenses, we aim to understand the factors that both foster and limit EBIOAC and other allied institutions that form part of this network of facilities working to translate concerns across scientific, political, productive, and social spheres in order to pursue common goals. These approaches are to be integrated into an overarching ethnographic project that combines data from ocean chemistry, marine organism morphology, public participation meetings, and qualitative interviews.
The proposed research work is sustained by the Kaleidos’ research community and Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, where EBIOAC is based. Additionally, we intend to build collaboration with other universities working on ocean acidification, such as the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral and Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena. Additionally, we have established links with public institutions as the Fishing National Institute and the Oceanographic Army Institute. We also hope to seek support from the Ecuadorian Climate Change Research Network, an infrastructure with the capacity to gather stakeholders working on local environmental policy in coastal zones. In the international scene, we have pursued a relationship with the Latin American Ocean Acidification Network (LAOCA Network), one of EBIOAC’s most important partners. Through the joint efforts of these various actors, it will be possible to disseminate ocean acidification knowledge across a wide range of social spheres.
Our research focus aims to reframe ocean acidification as a problem pertaining to social, political, and productive spheres as much as scientific ones. We consider research on this topic as part of an enterprise to reorient environmental policy agendas in Ecuador, as well as scientific agendas. As such, we aim to understand how delimiting issues, spaces, time frames, and objects of study are embedded with notions of what territories, communities, and priorities should be acted upon through policy, or not. Through this focus, we hypothesize upon an already growing interdependency between scientific and political processes.
Since its founding, EBIOAC has struggled due to scarce funding opportunities, an absence of media coverage, and a general lack of political awareness regarding the issue of ocean acidification. Not only do these circumstances limit the engagement of actors from scientific, political, and corporate spheres that could support research initiatives – they restrict capacity to develop technical infrastructures and skills within allied and stakeholder institutions.
From an international perspective, generating and disseminating ocean acidification information supports the sustainable development goals of the 2030 United Nations agenda. EBIOAC scientists have expressed interest in improving Ecuador’s capacity to generate data on the Pacific Ocean’s acidity conditions in order to develop a knowledge base useful for connecting the regional with national, continental, and international environmental protection efforts. This goal grows in importance given the current state of uncertainty regarding equatorial Pacific Ocean conditions. This lack of information and knowledge dissemination has resulted in political inaction and a lack of coordination by stakeholders at various scales.
Currently, Ecuadorian marine science institutions are in the process of developing a knowledge base about ocean conditions that will be accessible to policymakers working on topics such as biodiversity and food sovereignty. Through this project, we hope to generate discussion among marine scientists about the current state of knowledge and its potential for social mobilization. Through analysis of the state of knowledge on ocean acidification, our intention is to multiply the connections between scientists and their actual and sought-after audiences (public servants, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and NGOs). Finally, through the ocean acidification program we hope to create public engagement with related environmental issues as well.
