Prof. Alan Deidun, resident academic within the Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta and Director of the IOI Malta Training Centre, has recently been invited to deliver a keynote speech at the annual EMSEA ocean literacy conference organised by Newcastle University.
EMSEA (European Marine Science Educators Association) promotes the seven principles of ocean literacy and last year’s EMSEA 2017 conference was organised by Prof. Alan Deidun at the University of Malta.
Prof. Deidun focused on the applications of marine citizen science in his talk, also by making direct reference to the two citizen science campaigns he coordinates (Spot the Jellyfish and Spot the Alien Fish), both funded by the International Ocean Institute (IOI). He also briefed conference participants about ongoing efforts at the UN to strike a deal about the BBNJ (Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, or in the High Seas), about ocean literacy initiatives undertaken in Malta in recent years, including the opening of the PANACEA marine environmental education centre in Dwejra, Gozo in 2013 as well as about the upcoming Decade for Ocean Sciences (2021-2031) as designated by UNESCO. The conference was attended by ocean literacy practitioners from all over Europe and North America, including scientists, teachers, Aquarium and natural history museum workers as well as by a number of environmental journalists.
Further details about the EMSEA 2018 conference held in Newcastle can be gleaned from the conference website.