Communicating Ocean Science

In this program, you can expect to build the skills to make your ocean-related work more visible, understandable and influential. You learn how to design clear, targeted messages and choose effective formats so you can inform, engage and persuade colleagues, community partners, decision-makers and the public in sustainable blue economy contexts.

By the end of this program, you’ll be able to:

• Design clear, audience-specific messages that educate, inform, engage and persuade professional colleagues, industry partners, community and public stakeholders, and decision-makers
• Select appropriate communication modes and delivery strategies based on audience needs, context and desired outcomes
• Adapt messages to align your communication goals with audience interests and motivations
• Evaluate and improve your communication using feedback from peers and intended audiences

Communicating Ocean Science was developed by the UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries with support from sector partners. You benefit from ocean-focused science communication expertise, real-world blue economy perspectives, and a supportive online learning environment that helps you build practical skills you can apply in your current role or future career.

This program is for learners who want to share ocean knowledge in ways that truly connect with others and support change in the sustainable blue economy. It is a good fit if you want to build confidence communicating science or community knowledge to different audiences, whether you are exploring career options or looking to grow in your current role.

Our learners come from a range of roles and sectors:

• Students and recent graduates interested in ocean, environmental or sustainability work
• Staff in government, non-profits or community organisations involved in coastal, marine or climate-related projects
• Learners working in blue economy sectors such as aquaculture, marine tourism or ocean technology who want stronger communication skills
• Learners who are holders and practitioners of Traditional, Indigenous or community-based ocean knowledge

Upon completion of the program, you can expect to be better prepared for roles and sectors such as:

• Science communication, outreach and education related to oceans and coasts
• Community engagement or liaison roles in conservation, sustainability or coastal planning
• Positions in blue economy industries where communicating with clients, communities or partners is essential, such as eco-tourism, resource management or policy support

The program costs $1,620.

All fees are in Canadian dollars, subject to change and to GST (where applicable). For details on forms of payment accepted, please see How to pay.

Find more details on refunds, cancellations and transfers.

This micro-certificate consists of one twelve-week course totalling approximately fifty hours of online learning. You can take the course on its own, but to gain the most value and prepare for future opportunities in the sustainable blue economy, we recommend using it alongside related blue economy learning as those options become available.

Required Courses

This program is delivered through a part-time 100% online format that combines weekly real-time classes with independent study. You join live sessions by video conferencing to discuss examples, practise communication strategies and receive guidance, and you access readings, videos and other materials between classes to develop your communication pieces. Instructors provide feedback and create a supportive environment where you can experiment, reflect and improve your work over time.

Expected effort

Expect to spend approximately four to four and a half hours a week completing all learning activities, including attending the real-time online sessions.

Assessment

You are assessed on your active participation, completion of required activities and the quality of your final communication piece. Assessment is on a complete/incomplete basis, with feedback from your instructor, peers and self-reflection using a structured rubric to help you recognise strengths and identify areas for improvement.

Obtaining your micro-certificate

When you have successfully completed the program requirements, you will receive a digital badge recognising your non-credit program micro-certificate in Communicating Ocean Science Stakeholder Engagement and Impact.

Your instructors are ocean science and communication experts from UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries who bring research, field and teaching experience to the classroom. They draw on real-world blue economy projects and science communication practice to help you connect concepts with the audiences and contexts that matter to your work.

• Dr. Rhea Storlund. Curriculum designer and instructor for Communicating Ocean Science, Dr. Storlund is a postdoctoral research and teaching fellow at the UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. With a background in marine mammal diving physiology, she specializes in making complex scientific concepts easy to understand through clear examples and analogies. Her teaching emphasizes active participation, real-world examples, and reflection to help learners develop practical science communication skills.”