The Ocean Women in Social Sciences at the University of Victoria are scientists and researchers. Their focus is the health of our oceans and the living things in them, and what that means for the entire planet. They are following in the footsteps of women who have gone before them and charting their own path for those to come.

So International Women’s Dayone thing in common among these UVic researchers is an approach to their work that honors, values ​​and promotes the benefits of collaboration and cooperation.

From a marine conservation scientist to a Master of Science student, from a Canada Research Chair in Ocean History and Sustainability to a specialist in coastal oceanography, these internationally renowned researchers support undergraduate students , graduate and postdoctoral degrees in Geography, Indigenous Studies, Environmental Studies and History. Their work crosses the boundaries between the social and natural sciences and the humanities, and they conduct their research with peers and experts from the local community.

Natalie Ban, Ph.D. and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at UVic, co-creates projects with and is guided by Indigenous partners. His research combines indigenous knowledge with biodiversity conservation to help design strategies that balance human needs with the sustainability of marine populations.

For example, his research on Dungeness crab and yelloweye rockfish, along with the work of his partners, has led to changes in management strategies, including closures to commercial and recreational fishing in areas important to indigenous peoples, and species at risk assessment updates. Fisheries and Oceans Canada report.

“I love doing research because it has the potential to effect change,” says Ban.

Asked about the importance she places on research partnerships and whether the inclination to collaborate is a uniquely female trait, she says: “It’s really hard to separate what is just me and what makes me so as a que femme… I like to listen and hear others, and absorb and always learn, which is not necessarily typical in academia.

“I love doing collaborative work because it elevates and brings together multiple voices rather than feeling like I need to shout my own voice.”

His approach did not go unnoticed. Recipient of an EWR Steacie Memorial Fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, she was also elected to the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada, one of the highest academic honors of the country, for a vision that “embraces diversity (of people, methods and perspectives) and balances the needs of human communities with the needs of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation”.

Some say their approach is typically – and powerfully – identified with women.

The next generation of female ocean scientists, researchers

Caitie Frenkel, a graduate student in the School of Environmental Studies who works with Ban and has expertise in ghost gear – abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear – commercial fishing and marine spatial mapping, says, “I think stereotypical feminine traits – sensitivity, cooperation, being bubbly, etc. – and presentation is considered sweet and frivolous in science. However, despite rejection by some, I believe these traits benefit my research – people are more likely to help and participate if they know you ‘I’m genuine.”

Ilse Martinez, a doctoral student working with Loren McClenachan, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, Ocean History and Sustainability, approaches her research in an equally cooperative way, saying, “My research focuses on working hand in hand with fishing communities to understand the history of the different artisanal fisheries of the Yucatan Peninsula. I believe that successful fisheries management requires taking into account the historical and cultural importance of marine resources to local people. “

Maycira Costa, professor of geography, runs a laboratory that works with remote sensing images to understand biophysical processes in ocean waters. For her and her geography graduate students, #BreakTheBias is more than this year’s International Women’s Day theme.

One of Costa’s students, Lianna Gendall, studies the evolution of Haida Gwaii’s kelp forests and the drivers of those changes over the past century using satellite imagery and historical data. She notes that over the past year she was part of an all-female crew — again an unusual occurrence — that collected data on culturally significant kelp forests from a 30-foot boat equipped with a drone, a remotely operated underwater vehicle and an airdrop. camera.

Another of Costa’s graduate students, Sejal Pramlall, said, “My biggest challenge is having my underrepresented demographic in this field, which means there are no women of color that I could admire as role models.” She adds, “While there is still a long way to go, I am grateful to all the pioneers before me who have paved the way for women in ocean science.”

Ban also credits visionary scientists such as UVic Emeritus Professor Verena Tunnicliffe, who was recently made an Officer of the Order of Canada for her work in deep sea exploration. Ban says her academic and professional journey has been paved “thanks to the mentors and women who came before me, and made it more normal and accepted for women to be in these places.”