Purpose & Vision

The overarching goal of the Transformative Ocean Science Symposia is to shape the future directions of ocean sciences by unlocking the ocean’s potential to deliver essential solutions to societal challenges.

The Venice Symposium will bring together leading voices in science, policy, and society to co-design actionable ideas for a more resilient, responsible, and innovative ocean future. Envisioned as a biennial international series, it seeks to create a lasting space for collaboration and foresight, where bold thinking meets shared responsibility.

The ambition of the Symposia is to foster discussion and ultimately provide a new template for effective and societally relevant marine science over the coming decades, re-shaping marine science strategy and investment in Europe and beyond. This forum supports creativity, deep understanding of ocean systems and their connections to planetary health and the development of innovative technologies in marine science while responding to the pressing needs of human society.  

Envisioned as a premier international gathering, the Symposia aim to bring together the global oceanographic and marine science community, including scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to foster innovation, collaboration, and a strategic marine research agenda that enhances its societal relevance and impact of marine science. 

Each Symposium will focus on a distinct and timely area of marine science, to provide a platform that fosters a deep and structurally trans- and interdisciplinary reflection and to support the co-creation of transformative scientific insights. This will serve as a unique space to build meaningful connections between different disciplines to promote a holistic approach to the sciences of the sea.  

The Symposia will serve as a dynamic hub of influence, an environment for designing and planning actions and solutions that contribute to the future EU Strategy on Research and Innovation and to the next EU Framework Programme. They draw inspiration from the recent EU strategy document, The European Ocean Pact, aligning with its six priority areas, and structured around keynote speakers, round table discussions, and interactive working groups.  

The key thematic areas and topics will range from deep-sea exploration to climate change impacts, ocean sustainability, technological advance, and marine biodiversity exploration and conservation. Topics will be selected to move beyond short-term goals while focusing on future frontiers in marine research.  Areas with particular interest to the training of new generations of scientists will also be included and prioritised.