Episode 9: From Data to Decision – Bridging the Science-Policy interface

Welcome back to the 9th episode and season finale of the MeerWissen podcast series “Ocean Insight on marine conservation and ocean science for sustainable development”, with unique perspectives from those on the frontlines of research, policy, and action!

Tune in to the 9th podcast episode of the MeerWissen Initiative and stay up to date on our Website, Spotify, or Podigee.

In this episode, we talk about one of the central pillars of the MeerWissen Initiative: bringing scientists and policymakers together and thus creating better, science-based policies to protect our ocean and coasts. With the UN Ocean Conference coming up this summer, it is time to think big and work together!

Dr. Heike Henn, Director for Climate Policy, Energy, Urban Development and Environment and Commissioner for climate policy and climate financing at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Dr. Jacqueline Uku, President of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and senior scientist and principal research coordinator at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute share some of their wisdom with us. They discuss why marine research is important to implement and reach policy goals like SDG 14. Henn and Uku talk about the reasons for the disconnect between scientists and policymakers and how the role of scientific research in policymaking can be strengthened. They also discuss whether current funding matches the need for co-design approaches – both between different scientists and between scientists and local communities. Finally, Henn and Uku take a look into the future and the role BMZ might take in supporting research in the coming months and years and talk about their personal vision for the future.

Be sure to tune in on the conversation!