In implementing the Deep Network, we aimed to: - Bring together organisers of existing deep Ocean initiatives, so that the marine scientists could learn more about adult education methodologies, and the adult educators could upgrade their scientific knowledge. We know that meeting and exchanging also inspires and motivates future partnerships. - Make sure the adult learners’ voice was heard by educators and marine institutes – our survey was designed to show which issues would be most effective to spark new learning initiatives with which target groups. It also tells us which marine areas are of zero interest to adults. - Build an online exchange point, where we showcase deep marine practices that inspire, so other people can build on them. Keep regular contact with all network members via meetings and newsletters. - Advocate within the worlds of adult education and of marine science for a user-focused approach to the methodologies and content to inform adults about the impact of a healthy Ocean and their role in delivering this. Share knowledge on 'what works' in deep Ocean learning.
This partnership came together as a result of a different Erasmus+ KA2 project where we had found marine institutes had approached us to ask what other opportunities we could provide to help a wider audience of the general public understand some urgent impacts of current ocean science research. Although land-based climate change is beginning to be better publicly discussed, we heard that: - Most people think climate change will not affect the Ocean and there is very little adult information on the impact the Ocean has on regulating climate change - The scientific quality of information there is limited (often to simple shoreline learning, where some beach-based initiatives take place), furthering a lack of understanding of the role complex marine ecosystems play in Ocean health. - There’s a lack of understanding about what issues could spark an adult interest that could lead to behavioural change, particularly in key target groups or with non-coastal communities. Without this understanding, it's difficult to know what Ocean learning material could best provoke pro-climate action, where adults access Ocean information it or how effective it could be.