Developing human capital for successful implementation of international marine scientific research projects

Authors

R J. Morrison, University of WollongongFollow
Jing Zhang, East China Normal University
E R. Urban, Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research
J Hall, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand
V Ittekkot, University of Bremen
B Avril, Imber International Project Office
L Hu, East China Normal University
G H. Hong, Korea Institute of Ocean and Technology
S Kidwai, National Institute of Oceanography
C B. Lange, Universidad de Concepcion
V Lobanov, V.I. Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute
J Machiwa, University of Dar es Salaam
M L. San Diego-Mcglone, University of the Philippines
T Oguz, Middle East Technical University
F G. Plumley, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
T Yeemin, Ramkhamhaeng University
W Zhu, IOC/UNESCO Regional Office for the Western Pacific
F Zuo, East China Normal University

RIS ID

85323

Publication Details

Morrison, R. J., Zhang, J., Urban, E. R., Hall, J., Ittekkot, V., Avril, B., Hu, L., Hong, G. H., Kidwai, S., Lange, C. B., Lobanov, V., Machiwa, J., San Diego-Mcglone, M. L., Oguz, T., Plumley, F. G., Yeemin, T., Zhu, W. & Zuo, F. (2013). Developing human capital for successful implementation of international marine scientific research projects. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 77 (1-2), 11-22.

Abstract

The oceans play a crucial role in the global environment and the sustainability of human populations, because of their involvement in climate regulation and provision of living and non-living resources to humans. Maintenance of healthy oceans in an era of increasing human pressure requires a high-level understanding of the processes occurring in the marine environment and the impacts of anthropogenic activities. Effective protection and sustainable resource management must be based, in part, on knowledge derived from successful research. Current marine research activities are being limited by a need for high-quality researchers capable of addressing critical issues in broad multidisciplinary research activities. This is particularly true for developing countries which will require the building of capacity for marine scientific research. This paper reviews the current activities aimed at increasing marine research capacity in developing and emerging countries and analyses the challenges faced, including: appropriate alignment of the research goals and societal and policy-relevant needs; training in multidisciplinary research; increasing capacity for overall synthesis of scientific data; building the capacity of technical staff; keeping highly qualified personnel in marine scientific research roles; cross-cultural issues in training; minimising duplication in training activities; improving linkages among human capital, project resources and infrastructure. Potential solutions to these challenges are provided, along with some priorities for action aimed at improving the overall research effort.