Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Interview and research-based report on gender equity in ocean science

Contributors: Wendy Watson-Wright, project advisor and review; Amberlea Williams, graphic design

In Canada’s role as the leader of the Commonwealth Blue Charter’s Ocean Observation Action Group, and under Canada’s gender equity priority, Fisheries and Ocean Canada (DFO) engaged us to create a report on gender equity in ocean science.

To highlight the experiences of a multitude of women and gender diverse people in ocean science, and with the guidance of the project advisor, we interviewed 18 ocean leaders from 11 countries. Based on those interviews and background research, we created a report that profiles five leaders, provides a case study of a fisheries research network that puts gender equity at the forefront of its work, and six recommendations on increasing gender equity in ocean science.

Gender equity in ocean science: Amplifying voices, increasing impact was presented as part of International Women’s Day, 2021, by Assistant Deputy Minister (DFO) Arran McPherson at Sea the She: Recognising women’s contributions to ocean science organised by The Commonwealth; as well as by Angela Hatton, Chief Scientist and Director of Science and Technology at the National Oceanography Centre, UK, at the UN Ocean Decade Virtual Series event Making waves for ocean science: Empowering Women Leaders in the Ocean Decade.