Centre for Sustainable Ocean Science (SOS) kick-off conference 10-11 September 2024

The newly established Centre for Sustainable Ocean Science (SOS) at Åbo Akademi University held its kick-off event from September 10 to 11, 2024, at Sibeliusmuseum and Arken. Research assistant Malla Lehtonen coordinated the event. I (Anton Eklund) volunteered to help with it with a few others.

SOS is an Åbo Akademi University Centre of Excellence, launched in 2024 and funded by the Åbo Akademi University Foundation (Stiftelsen för Åbo Akademi) from 2024 to 2028. SOS provides transdisciplinary knowledge on wicked problems linked to marine biodiversity and its role in the societal transition to sustainability, focusing on the Archipelago Sea and Åland Island area. The inter- and transdisciplinary work in SOS includes environmental and marine biology, chemistry, industrial management, political science, law, and the arts. Read more on their website: Centre for Sustainable Ocean Science

The kick-off event addressed inter- and transdisciplinary research and co-creation questions, especially in the context of sustainability transitions. The program included talks, presentations, and panel discussions that brought together viewpoints from various fields. Some of the speakers included Dr. Rachel Kelly (Knowledge Broker, Centre for Marine Socioecology (CMS), Australia), Risto Veivo (City of Turku), Vespa Laine (Fern Orchestra), and Katja Bonnevier (Archipelago Sea Biosphere Reserve).