ACU and INASP launch OCPP professional training programme for aspiring marine scientists

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP), have recently launched the debut Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) Scholarships Training course.

The new OCPP Scholarships Training Programme, co-developed by the ACU and INASP, aims to enhance the professional development of OCPP scholars. The bespoke course will equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to translate their marine research into real-world action, covering topics including policy, engaging local communities, and proposal and grant writing.

The OCPP scholars are a cohort of early career researchers studying Master’s degree courses in marine science and undertaking research to help protect marine environments across the global south.

Open exclusively to OCPP scholars, the Training Programme is comprised of three modules, developed by experts in the field of sustainable development. The modules include:

• Effectively engaging with policy and practice – tools and strategies for impact.
• Creating knowledge together: successfully engaging communities in marine research.
• Writing winning PhD and postdoc proposals.

The training will equip participants with strategies to navigate relevant research and policy ecosystems, engage with key stakeholders, identify opportunities for collective action, and communicate their research for maximum impact. The training will also encourage international collaboration and ‘cohort building’ between the OCPP scholars, further enhancing their professional network and career prospects.

The course will be delivered via online modules consisting of synchronous live sessions and asynchronous group-based applied activities. Module 1 will run August-September, Module 2 October-November, with Module 3 taking place Feb-March 2025.

We are delighted to launch the OCPP Scholarships Training Programme, co-developed with INASP, offering a world-class professional development opportunity to OCPP scholars.” Professor Colin Riordan CBE, Chief Executive and Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

The OCPP scholarships are already funding vital marine environmental research and postgraduate study in climate-vulnerable settings across the global south. Our unique Training Programme is an exciting development to OCPP and will undoubtedly help scholars to take their careers to the next level, learn more about navigating policy ecosystems, engaging with stakeholders, and disseminating their research – all essential career development skills for aspiring researchers.’

INASP is delighted to launch this new programme with the ACU that will enable OCPP scholars to apply their research expertise to the needs of their nations and communities. Each year we see how powerfully digital learning can be – especially when it’s developed and delivered with experts who understand from first-hand experience what it means to be a young scholar in the global south.” Jonathan Harle, Executive Director, INASP 

Not only can digital learning assist researchers to develop essential skills and solve common problems, but it can boost confidence and help them to navigate the challenge early years of their academics careers. OCPP scholars will also be able to join our established community of 14,000 early career researchers, enabling them to forge new networks and connect to their peers across the world.’

Cefas is delighted that these new training courses will be available to the Ocean Country Partnership Programme ACU scholars, to enhance the impact that their studies will have on real world changes for a thriving marine environment and coastal community livelihoods. Supporting the next generation of leaders with this professional development in their marine science careers means increased benefits to the environment in the countries where the Ocean Country Partnership Programme is working.” Neil Hornby, Chief Executive of Cefas

This news follows the announcements last year that the OCPP Scholarships have reopened for a second consecutive year in in the South Pacific (Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) and extended for the first time to students in the Maldives, Ghana, India, Bangladesh, Belize, Senegal, Mozambique and Sri Lanka.