The early morning buzz at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) hinted at something special. Researchers, policy experts, and ocean enthusiasts gathered, coffee in hand, connecting over plans for the day ahead. It was January 12, 2025, and DOSI Day had finally arrived.
The timing couldn’t have been better; held just before the 17th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium, the event set the perfect stage for deep discussions on ocean governance, collaboration, and the future of deep-sea research.
Chris Barrio and Elin Thomas from our DOSI Office, took charge steering the course for the day, setting the tone for an engaging and lively day.
Morning conversations
After a warm welcome by DOSI and local host Pei-Yuan Qian, Maria Baker took the audience on a journey through DOSI’s story—how it began, why it exists, and what it has achieved so far. It was a reminder of just how much we have collectively achieved, but also how much more there is to do.
Then came the Working Group updates. One by one, group leads stepped forward, sharing their progress and plans. Attendees broke into smaller groups, engaging in interactive, rotating discussions with each Working Group lead. Questions were raised, ideas were exchanged, and new collaborations were sparked.
Moderated by Sabine Gollner, the Cross-Working Group Synergies session followed, highlighting the growing need for collaboration across different research areas. The message was clear: deep-sea governance doesn’t happen in silos, and neither should we. The audience nodded along, already thinking about ways to break down barriers in their own work.
Afternoon deep dives
After a well-earned lunch (complete with a fun name-badge joining game that got everyone mingling), the afternoon was all about diving into deep-sea policy and engagement.
The first session, led by Pei-Yuan Qian, Pradeep Singh, and Lisa Levin, sparked a fascinating discussion about science diplomacy, raising questions like: how do researchers get noticed in governance circles; and what is the best way to contribute to global policy? The idea of a DOSI Academy emerged—an initiative to train researchers in the art of policy engagement.
Another challenge surfaced during the session; how can we engage with countries that don’t have access to commonly used platforms? With tools like Google banned in some regions, researchers need to find alternative ways to communicate and share their work. Social media platforms like BlueSky and Discord were identified as potential bridges.
Next up, Maila Guilhon and Vanessa Lopes presented their findings on early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs). They have surveyed ECOPs worldwide, and the results are clear. While many young researchers want to engage, they can often feel intimidated by senior figures in the field.
The conversation turned to solutions and next steps, with the talk of a new DOSI ECOP hub, or more Q&A sessions with senior researchers and shadowing opportunities. The room buzzed with possibilities. The message was clear—DOSI isn’t just about established researchers; it’s a platform for the next generation too.
With Agnes Muthumbi and Kerry Howell leading the way, the discussion shifted to a critical issue: capacity sharing. How do we ensure that scientific collaboration is truly equitable?
Agnes shared her experiences leading the African Network of Deep-Water Researchers under the Challenger 150 program. The challenges were real—funding gaps, logistical barriers, and ethical dilemmas—but so were the solutions. The takeaway? True capacity sharing means long-term partnerships, not just one-off projects.
The final session, led by Cherisse Du Preez and Heidi Gartner, tackled the often-overlooked issue of working with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs). Through a consultation with Canada’s First Nations, they uncovered a crucial point, not all Indigenous communities fit into a single category.
The session shifted into a thoughtful discussion on inclusivity, co-creation, and respect. One key takeaway? Representation isn’t just about being present—it’s about being heard, acknowledged, and fairly compensated. By the end of the session, a Discord discussion group had been set up to keep the conversation going beyond DOSI Day.
A Huge Thank You!
None of this would have been possible without the hard work of so many. A huge shoutout to Arcadia for funding, Sabine Gollner and Lisa Levin for stepping up as last-minute moderators, and local host Pei-Yuan Qian and his incredible HKUST team (Rong, Esme, Alice, Ting, Patpeng, and Jian) for making everything run smoothly.
As people trickled out of the venue, the discussions didn’t stop. Throughout the rest of the Deep-Sea Biology Symposium, DOSI Day remained a hot topic. And that’s exactly what it was meant to be—a spark for bigger conversations, stronger collaborations, and deeper engagement in the world of deep-ocean science.
Read the full DOSI Day 2025 Report.
Until next year!
DOSI Office.