Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the National Ocean Science Conference, organised by the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, the Sustainable Ocean Community, and Universiteit Utrecht. Alongside my colleague Rohan Nanda, I was honoured to present our research on MGRs—co-authored with the brilliant Julia Schutz Veiga who unfortunately could not attend—and contribute to the growing conversation around interdisciplinary collaboration in ocean science.
It was heartening to see how warmly our work was received—especially as it highlights how legal research can help scaffold the work of oceanographers, marine biologists, and physical scientists. This kind of interdisciplinary exchange is not only possible but increasingly essential. We need lawyers who are not siloed in legal discourse, but who are open to dialogue and capable of producing research that is meaningful both to scientists and to the communities they serve.
Another key insight we shared—and also took home from the event—was the central importance of scientific communication. In this respect, bridging art and science is vital. Artists help render complex knowledge accessible and amplify the voices of early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs). We were especially moved by the work of artist Suzette Bousema, whose work exemplifies the transformative potential of such collaborations. Check out her art: https://suzettebousema.nl/
There is still much to learn, but yesterday was a powerful reminder that interdisciplinary work—including between law, science, and the arts—is not just desirable, but necessary.
Special thanks to ELS Academy for funding our research project.
Here’s some pictures:
Henrique Marcos 