(NEWS) WMUWA Research Seminar on Ocean Governance

August

2015

WMUWA Research Seminar on Ocean Governance

The WMU Women’s Association (WMUWA) held a research seminar on the evening of 20 August at the Henrik Smith student residence. The seminar focused on highlighting Ocean Governance research completed by female researchers in the maritime sector. The gathering included over 40 people with a nearly even split among male and female attendees.

Welcome remarks were made by Janelle Meloney, WMUWA President followed by opening remarks delivered via video by WMU President, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, who was on mission to China for the graduation of students in the WMU MSc programmes in Shanghai and Dalian. It was noted by the President that the Ocean Governance topic was timely as the IMO Council recently endorsed the Report on the Financial Sustainability of the WMU that included expansion of the University’s scope to include ocean-related matters as one of eight strategic directions. She further referred to the recent adoption by the UN member States on 2 August of The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which is expected to be adopted by Heads of State at the 69th UN General Assembly in September. She noted the particular relevance of the evening’s discussions to goal 5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”, Goal 7 “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” and Goal 14 “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” President Doumbia-Henry stated, “I want to congratulate the WMU Women’s Association for its foresight and proactive approach in hosting events of this kind and in encouraging women researchers to contribute to the building of knowledge and capacity thereby contributing to transforming Our World to make it ‘The World We Want’ for our and future generations of women and men.”

The evening continued with an interview by WMU Assistant Professor, Dr. Momoko Kitada, of WMU Vice President Academic, Professor Neil Bellefontaine regarding “How Can Research Help One’s Career?” and WMU Research Associate, Aditi Kataria, helped with facilitating the discussion and answering questions concerning research. Further presentations were made by special guests Dr. Lise Langaker, Associate Professor Hogskolen Stord/Haugesund (Norway) entitled “Glass Bulkheads in the Norwegian Maritime Industry,” and a presentation on “Maritime Security and Safety in the Mediterranean Sea” By Dr. Khanssa Lagdami, Professional Researcher and Expert in Law. Additional presentations were made by WMU Research Assistant Lilitha Pongolini regarding work on the Mona Lisa 2.0 project subactivity 1.7 regarding the “Possible Synergy Between Maritime Spatial Plan and Dynamic Shipping Routes,” WMU Research Intern Jennie Larsson regarding “Empowering Coastal Communities by Finding Alternative Pathways for Sustainable Transformation,” WMU Research Associate Dr. Gesa Pretorius presented “Increased Awareness for Maritime Human Factors Through e-learning in Crew-Centered Design,” and current student Simone Cunningham made a presentation about the importance of Maritime Education and Training in high schools. Aside from the presentations, the evening included opportunities for networking and roundtable discussions.

The WMUWA was founded by students in the Class of 2014, and this was the second research seminar held by the group. The first took place on 13 March in recognition of International Women’s Day and included the book launch of the WMU publication Maritime Women: Global Leadership that was based on the 2014 WMU conference of the same title.

A WMUWA research exhibition focused on female-led research supporting sustainable development in shipping will be on display in the WMU library until 31 August. It includes research papers and books published by female WMU faculty, researchers and students and include topics such as safety, security, law and policy, and gender.

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Dissertation title

Maritime Governance: Contextual Factors affecting Implementation of IMO Instruments

My decision to enroll in the doctoral program at WMU was heavily influenced by my prior experience as a Master's student at the institution. Initially introduced to me as a preeminent global institution for maritime education, WMU's stellar reputation was further substantiated by the exceptional quality of education I received during my Master’s studies. This experience became a compelling factor in my determination to return to WMU as a doctoral student. Recognizing the synergies between my research aspirations and the institutional offerings at WMU, I concluded that continuing my educational journey at this esteemed institution was not only beneficial but also aligned perfectly with my academic and professional goals.

My research explored the theoretical foundations of governance, placing a particular emphasis on maritime governance. Going beyond mere theoretical frameworks, the study conducted a comprehensive examination of a crucial aspect within maritime governance—specifically, the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments, exploring the contextual factors that affect the implementation process. Applying the grounded theory methodology, the research aimed to understand these theoretical underpinnings, as well as firmly anchor insights in the practical context of maritime governance; unveiling the intricacies and challenges associated with the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the maritime domain. The selection of this topic was motivated by a personal interest that was cultivated during my Master’s studies in maritime law and policy. Furthermore, it was driven by the recognition of a scarcity of scientific research on this specific topic. This gap in the existing body of knowledge served as a catalyst for my exploration, underscoring the significance of contributing valuable insights to an area of maritime governance that has been relatively underrepresented in scholarly research.

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Embarking on my professional path, my foremost aim is to establish myself as an authority in the field of maritime governance. I aspire to leave a significant and enduring mark on the global maritime landscape. Beyond the academic sphere, my drive is fuelled by a passionate interest in pursuing diverse opportunities within the maritime domain and the broader educational sector and contributing significantly to positive transformations in the global maritime sector.

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