Paper short abstract:

'Anthroposea’ means human ocean — a call to address the social side of ocean issues. In May 2021 a team of six emerging researchers sailed along the southwest coast of the UK, utilizing the immersive medium of sailing to explore how ‘being at sea’ generates new avenues for research.

Paper long abstract:

'Anthroposea’ means human ocean — a call to address the social side of ocean issues. In May 2021 a team of six emerging researchers set sail from Hampshire to Cornwall, utilizing the immersive medium of sailing to explore how ‘being at sea’ generates new avenues for research. During our exploratory expedition, we focused on applying a social lens to marine issues to analyze if and how sailing can be a generative medium for ocean-based social science research. Exploring the coastline and engaging with stakeholders along our route, we observed the myriad impacts and opportunities for the future of the human ocean: from regenerative economies that work in tandem with conservation to initiatives addressing habitat loss of important carbon sinks. Our interdisciplinary crew found the social space of the sailboat to create surprising nodes of collaboration, concluding that sailing is a valuable avenue for social science that opens new pathways for undertaking marine fieldwork.