9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
[G01-02] Live Webcasts from a Drilling Vessel: A Hybrid Approach to Ocean Science Field Experiences
Keywords:International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), ocean scientific drilling, online broadcast/webcast, event, interactive communication, ocean literacy
In Earth and planetary sciences, especially those that involve field research activities such as field observations and sampling, not only the knowledge but also the ‘fields’ themselves are a distinctive feature of them and one of the attractions that add color to the research. Examples of outreach activities that allow visitors to experience the excitement of the field first-hand include observation and hands-on workshops and guided outdoor tours offered by museums. However, these activities have many requirements, such as ensuring safety and sufficient staffing, and there are many restrictions on the areas where they can be carried out and the number of participants. On the other hand, there are online outreach activities that focus on the appeal of the 'fields', such as photo-intensive social networking and video streaming, but a more live and interactive communication-oriented approach would be live broadcast events. For example, since 2004, when the Intelsat satellite communications antenna was installed at Showa Station, there have been a number of broadcast classes and events, such as the "Antarctic Classroom" by the Antarctic Regional Observation Expedition of Japan.
The period from 2021 to 2030 has been designated the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which calls for efforts not only to promote ocean science, but also to increase ocean literacy in society and to deepen the relationship between various stakeholders in society, including the general public, and the ocean. However, in many cases ocean-based research is conducted aboard ships, making it difficult to conduct direct hands-on outreach activities such as observing events, and the limitations of the communications network environment also limit the number of online broadcasts and other such efforts. As a result, marine research tends to be a "distant world" for the public.
The U.S. drilling vessel JOIDES Resolution, which operated as part of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), was equipped relatively early on with a system that allowed scientists on board to relay to shore via Zoom as part of their outreach activities. The Japan Drilling Earth Science Consortium (J-DESC) has conducted, encouraged, and supported drillship relay events to take advantage of opportunities for Japanese scientists on board. During IODP Expedition 405 (JTRACK) conducted by the Japanese Deep-Sea Drilling Vessel Chikyu from September to December 2024, J-DESC held a total of 19 live webcast events and classes in cooperation with onboard researchers and JAMSTEC.
In this report, we will describe the practical details and management methods of these webcast events, as well as the challenges and prospects for the future. We will also discuss the characteristics of communication with participants at these events and how they can contribute to the improving ocean literacy and other aspects of the “UN Decade of Ocean Science,” including comparisons with other types of outreach activities.
The period from 2021 to 2030 has been designated the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which calls for efforts not only to promote ocean science, but also to increase ocean literacy in society and to deepen the relationship between various stakeholders in society, including the general public, and the ocean. However, in many cases ocean-based research is conducted aboard ships, making it difficult to conduct direct hands-on outreach activities such as observing events, and the limitations of the communications network environment also limit the number of online broadcasts and other such efforts. As a result, marine research tends to be a "distant world" for the public.
The U.S. drilling vessel JOIDES Resolution, which operated as part of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), was equipped relatively early on with a system that allowed scientists on board to relay to shore via Zoom as part of their outreach activities. The Japan Drilling Earth Science Consortium (J-DESC) has conducted, encouraged, and supported drillship relay events to take advantage of opportunities for Japanese scientists on board. During IODP Expedition 405 (JTRACK) conducted by the Japanese Deep-Sea Drilling Vessel Chikyu from September to December 2024, J-DESC held a total of 19 live webcast events and classes in cooperation with onboard researchers and JAMSTEC.
In this report, we will describe the practical details and management methods of these webcast events, as well as the challenges and prospects for the future. We will also discuss the characteristics of communication with participants at these events and how they can contribute to the improving ocean literacy and other aspects of the “UN Decade of Ocean Science,” including comparisons with other types of outreach activities.