10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
[O04-06] ECOP Japan – Activities and results of online survey 2023
Keywords:UN Decade of Ocean Science, Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs), Transdisciplinarity, Networking, IOC-UNESCO
ECOP Japan is a network of Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) in Japan established under the UN Decade of Ocean Science (hereafter the UN Ocean Decade), who are actively involved in various ocean sectors (research, education, government, industry, NPO/NGO, etc.). It introduces a wide range of ECOP activities across disciplines, provides useful information and opportunities (events, employment, grants, etc.) to address issues that face ECOPs, and identifies ECOPs who will support the future of the ocean sectors. Aiming to discover ECOPs in Japan and abroad and to expand their network, we hold an ECOP Japan symposium (January 2022, March 2024), open a home page, and collect video letters (seven videos as of now) from active ECOPs in Japan. To further develop ECOP activities in the future, it is essential to collect information on issues faced by ECOPs in Japan and expectations for the UN Ocean Decade, and to consider ways forward. Based on this background, in June 2023, we conducted an online survey for ECOPs in Japan to investigate their current situation, awareness of the UN Ocean Decade, challenges and future expectations, referring to similar surveys previously conducted in other regions and nations.
A total of 55 respondents answered the survey. 12 (21.8%) of the 55 respondents live in Tokyo, which is the most, followed by 11 (20.0%) in Kanagawa. The maximum number of respondents, 36 (65.5%), selected marine science as the sector involved. Among the seven ocean outcomes of the UN Ocean Decade, ""A healthy and resilient ocean"" was most frequently raised as relevant to their activities by 33 respondents (60.0%), while the least frequent responses were ""A clean ocean"" and "" A safe ocean,"" both given by 14 respondents (25.5%). The most frequently answered barriers constraining the ECOPs in Japan to contribute to the UN Ocean Decade was ""lack of funding"" (31 respondents, 56.4%), followed by ""insufficient information"" (28 respondents, 50.9%). As for the expectations for ECOP Japan activities, ""Webinars about scientific tools, ocean research topics and NGO-related work "" and ""Interactive salon between ECOPs "" were chosen by more than a majority of respondents, 33 (60%) and 29 (52.7%), respectively.
The number of respondents in this survey (55) has almost doubled from the previous survey, and this represent the expansion of the network in Japan. Based on the survey results, reaching out to ECOPs working outside the metropolitan area and those for ""A safe ocean”, and promoting interaction with ECOPs outside of academia are essential activities for the future of ECOP Japan. The first step toward sustainably developing Japan's ocean sector, which is facing a shortage of early career human resources, and ultimately contributing to the international community, is to create transdisciplinary connections that have never existed before. Under the common field of the ocean, ECOP Japan will expand our collaboration little by little, respecting each area of expertise and seeking sustainable ways of doing so.
A total of 55 respondents answered the survey. 12 (21.8%) of the 55 respondents live in Tokyo, which is the most, followed by 11 (20.0%) in Kanagawa. The maximum number of respondents, 36 (65.5%), selected marine science as the sector involved. Among the seven ocean outcomes of the UN Ocean Decade, ""A healthy and resilient ocean"" was most frequently raised as relevant to their activities by 33 respondents (60.0%), while the least frequent responses were ""A clean ocean"" and "" A safe ocean,"" both given by 14 respondents (25.5%). The most frequently answered barriers constraining the ECOPs in Japan to contribute to the UN Ocean Decade was ""lack of funding"" (31 respondents, 56.4%), followed by ""insufficient information"" (28 respondents, 50.9%). As for the expectations for ECOP Japan activities, ""Webinars about scientific tools, ocean research topics and NGO-related work "" and ""Interactive salon between ECOPs "" were chosen by more than a majority of respondents, 33 (60%) and 29 (52.7%), respectively.
The number of respondents in this survey (55) has almost doubled from the previous survey, and this represent the expansion of the network in Japan. Based on the survey results, reaching out to ECOPs working outside the metropolitan area and those for ""A safe ocean”, and promoting interaction with ECOPs outside of academia are essential activities for the future of ECOP Japan. The first step toward sustainably developing Japan's ocean sector, which is facing a shortage of early career human resources, and ultimately contributing to the international community, is to create transdisciplinary connections that have never existed before. Under the common field of the ocean, ECOP Japan will expand our collaboration little by little, respecting each area of expertise and seeking sustainable ways of doing so.