Ocean Identity Then and Now
In March 2020 when the world was shutting down, our ocean identity research was just ramping up. It all started as a conversation about how to improve efficiency and effectiveness of ocean program evaluation, in a time when measuring impact had become a vital aspect of grant funding. In exploring what we might measure we discovered the underresearched area of ocean identity and quickly got to work. We saw a need, and started manifesting on a solution.
Fast forward to 2024, the solution is here! We published our conceptual model in Nature Ocean Sustainability, shared our work at numerous local, national and international conferences, and we recently completed the validation of our ocean identity instrument. Further, we launched the oceanidentity.org website, and started collecting data in our first case study with Project Limulus – both actions were commitments we made to support open access and improved utilization of our research.
Over the past four years, many things have changed, including us. In December of 2022 we lost our dear colleague Dr. Jennifer to cancer, and we all took some time to reflect and refocus. She wanted us to carry on and stay resilient, and we have in her honor. Today our project lives on in her memory and she still serves as a source of inspiration and passion.
In our time as a team we’ve laughed together, cried together, and found joy in each other’s company during some pretty dark times. Through our collaborative work we’ve built knowledge and friendship. I’ve been a part of many research teams, though this was my first time serving as PI of a large grant, and it has been one of the best professional experiences of my life. As a tenure-track professor, I feel the power of this project often, not just because of what it has meant for me professionally, but also for what it has done to help me grow personally.
Our transdisciplinary team is a source of hope, and an example of resilience in action. As we launch the Ocean Identity Initiative, we celebrate the work we’ve put it to get here together. Just as when we began – though our project funding is shutting down, the applications of our research are just starting to ramp up. We cannot wait for what the future holds and while we wait, we sit in gratitude for the opportunities provided to us through this work.
-Dr. Miriah M. Russo Kelly, Ph.D.
