A Floating University for the Pacific
A platform for early-career scientists from Pacific island nations to explore and resolve the key issues affecting their communities
The vision
Establish a platform for students to experience working and living at sea. The Floating University offers hands-on research voyages to inspire an enduring passion for ocean science and build a network of ocean research advocates.
We find very few Pacific island scientists that our students, our kids, and our children would like to aspire to become. It's easier to imagine yourself being an ocean scientist if it's somebody that looks like you.
The People
The Floating University is guided and supported by a group of volunteer advisors and administrators who are committed to bringing this vision to life.
Outcomes
Experience
The voyages provide an environment to help early career and young scientists progress and experience life and work at sea.
Relationships
Partnerships are created with organisations, mentors and scientists that will lead to future opportunities for collaboration.
Knowledge sharing
Opportunities are created to bring together traditional and indigenous knowledge, alongside western science.
Advocacy
An alumni network is fostered to strengthen Pacific island ocean science advocacy and development of solutions to address local and regional challenges.
Pacific island nations have limited opportunities to participate in sea-based scientific research.
The thing that gets me really excited about the idea of a Floating University is the access to equipment, the access to experts and the transformational opportunity to learn hands-on at sea. Early in my career, I had the chance to work on a research vessel and it changed the way I look at the ocean and the world. I’m so excited for more Pacific students to have that chance.
Learn & live at sea
Learning at sea
Voyages challenge students with a mix of applied and classroom-based activities. Scientists, technicians, and crew all contribute, supported by expert guests via satellite.
Getting that experience on a research vessel, let alone a deep-ocean research vessel, it is something really special for us in the Pacific islands. Exploring the ocean is something we need, considering how big our ocean states are. It is so rare that you can get to do these in-situ measurements. The opportunity is very exciting.
Living at sea
A research vessel is a workplace and a home for up to four weeks at sea. Students are encouraged to participate in social activities, games and each navigates the challenges and rewards of seafaring. Connections made on these journeys have the potential to carry on throughout long careers in ocean science.
Life on the Tangaroa outside of mahi (work) was either sleeping, playing Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, doing pangahono (jigsaw puzzles), going to the whare kori tinana (gym), or having pō kiriata (movie nights). Even though the space was iti (small), people found ways to whakatā (relax) and enjoy their free time.
The first voyage
Follow a voyage with Vijuan and Andra
This map follows an early trial of the Floating University concept in June 2024. Students Andra Whiteside and Vijan Kahaha-Paki joined RV Tangaroa’s voyage to maintain the DART network near New Caledonia and Vanuatu and were mentored by voyage leader, NIWA marine biologist Rachael Peart.
Onboard research vessels like Tangaroa, students are exposed to a mix of hands-on learning and classroom activities. A lot of preparation is required to get ready for living and learning at sea.
"It is a space that is not quite familiar and it takes a period of learning to adapt to sea life. It is a research vessel doing primarily western science and therefore somewhat different to a traditional navigational voyage. Published scientific research focused on our region are often not by Pacific island scientists. The opportunity to have people from the area is exciting and we can both bring local knowledge and learn from those onboard." - Andra Whiteside.
Hands-on learning
Students are matched with a mentor whose sole responsibility is to support their learning. Learning areas from the first voyage included:
- Basic ocean engineering
- Instrument deployment
- Sample collection for a biofouling ecosystem study
- Analysis and reporting of results
- Ocean policy and governance
- Traditional forms of navigation
“I really enjoyed scraping the barnacles off the buoys. Well, enjoy might be a stretch. I enjoyed seeing what we got and then the science after that. The analysis was the most interesting and what we observed. The abundance, sizes from latitudinal perspective. We could see clearly see that. Changing climate as ocean gets warmer, what does it mean for species like gooseneck barnacles who thrive in colder temperatures.” - Andra Whiteside.
Remote learning
Technology allows experts from across the world to join virtually onboard, including from the students' home countries. The mix of hands-on learning and virtual lessons allow things learnt on-deck to translate to concepts and learnings in the classroom. "Having a lesson on boat isn’t like it is on shore. You go into the classroom and learn something, then out on deck to do the mahi. But you’re also learning and then adapting to what we were doing on the boat and coming back for more." - Vijuan Karaha-Paki.
Selecting participants and mentors
A passion for ocean science is a must, but interest is welcomed from undergraduate, graduate and early career applicants. Mentors are selected for their expertise, teaching and pastoral care skills. Former students are encouraged to join as mentors on future voyages. "Rachael was one of the best to have on the boat and a great mentor. Her demeanour, the way she goes about things. She is funny and bubbly. And so supportive. I was also close to Sally, Rachel and Anda...everyone actually! They told us we were one of the best teams they ever had on boat! And that came from the crew! I was close with one of the able seaman Callum. We are the same age, so we were the babies on the boat." - Vijuan Karaha-Paki.
Research themes and curriculum
Lessons combine western science, indigenous and traditional knowledge. Projects span across many disciplines that benefit from multiple knowledge systems, such as:
- Climate change resilience and adaptation
- Natural hazards and risks
- Marine ecosystem and biodiversity conservation.
"It was cool building relationships. I was the only Māori onboard. Which was especially hard going through Matariki weekend. Big thing for me to on a boat in the middle of nowhere. But the whole time I was there they embraced it all. Especially Sally Watson, every morning, she was like, 'whats a new Māori kupu (word) for today, talk to me in Māori' and really cared about learning who I was, asking me where I grew up. These things are important." - Vijuan Karaha-Paki.
Voyage selection
Students participate in voyages that explore key issues affecting their countries and communities. These can include research on important issues such as tsunami detection, ocean acidification, marine debris, marine heatwaves and species discovery. "The voyage has exposed me to so much more science than I would have experienced. For future students going on voyages, they will experience things that makes them better researchers, it gives them exposure to something they didn’t know, maybe that becomes part of their research. And they can use that to explore something back at home, because maybe that area is a gap for us. Then mentor other scientists from the Pacific from this experience. If they end up in govt ministries, or in a position to inform policy, they could be voices for what the country needs. Katy has said this before, you learn 10 times more if you go one of these voyages more than a classroom. Apply it practically. It extends your view." - Andra Whiteside.
Knowledge sharing
Each students brings home what they have learnt to their communities, equipped with a greater ability to understand ocean systems and emerging challenges. The Floating University provides support to share scientific results in local and regional forums, and to help students engage with policy makers who need their science. "We were listening to a speaker from New Caledonia around traditional way-finding, and he kept talking about currents. So, it got me thinking about my master's thesis around the impact of sediment on crayfish along the East Coast and how that might fit. When I got back, I was talking to my kaumatua and asked him about what currents there were off my study area in Kaikoura. And he said, yes two major ones here and here. Now I’ve incorporated currents into my master's thesis." - Vijuan Karaha-Paki.
Words of wisdom from students
It is going to be tough. Be ready for ups and downs. You'll experience some awesome things. And you may get to a point where you feel down (missing home and the daily routines you are used to). But the ultimate exposure you get it is a life-changing opportunity. The experience exceeds all of the challenges.
If I was to give one piece of advice to a future student, it's to be open minded about other people’s perspective on things. That's to the students and to the people on the vessel. I come from indigenous background, I have a different perspective. While I was learning from everyone else, seeing what their perspective was, I hope they were learning from me too. That's the most important thing...that and bring plenty of shampoo and conditioner...because its hot and sweaty out there!
Get involved
- Making connections with potential stakeholders and funders
- Helping to recruit participants and mentors
- Offering in-kind services, by contributing berthing your own ocean research/exploration cruises.
Any other assistance is welcomed, please contact Molly Powers-Tora or Mike Williams
“The Floating University is an awesome way to stimulate more growth and learning in ocean science. You can only learn so much within a classroom, but having something like a floating University. It's a hands-on, full-on experience to learning.”