national NODE -
Australia & New Zealand
Photo credit: Victor hM0jUUU5eDg & Kyle Myburgh / Unsplash
Introducing ECOP Australia and New Zealand National Node
Established in 2024, ECOP Australia and New Zealand (AUS/NZ) is the National Node of the Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Programme for ECOPs based in or originating from Australia and New Zealand. We serve as the focal point for the ECOP programme in the region, collaborating with the wider ECOP Programme and disseminating relevant materials, opportunities, and news to AUS/NZ ECOPs.
Vision
ECOP AUS/NZ aims to connect and empower ocean advocates across Australia and New Zealand, fostering a community dedicated to making a difference in protecting our shared ocean. From networking events to conservation initiatives, we strive to support the growth and impact of early career ocean professionals in our region.
Mission
Our mission is to develop and support a multi-disciplinary community of ECOPs based in or originating from Australia and New Zealand. We aim to nurture the personal and professional development of AUS/NZ ECOPs through various avenues, including capacity development and networking. A key focus is enhancing cross-sectoral cooperation, particularly between academia, industry, and indigenous communities, aligning with the Ocean Decade’s vision of “the science we need for the ocean we want.”
Objectives
To achieve our mission, we have set out the following objectives:
- Capacity Building: Provide and promote development opportunities for our members through online webinars, in-person training, and workshops.
- Needs Assessment: Identify the specific needs, priorities, and challenges of AUS/NZ ECOPs and actively seek solutions.
- Networking and Knowledge Sharing: Create opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing through various platforms and events, including virtual and in-person gatherings.
- Membership Growth: Build a diverse group of AUS/NZ ECOPs and develop relationships with key strategic partners across Australia and New Zealand, including research institutions, industry groups, governmental bodies, NGOs, and indigenous organizations.
- First Nations Partnership and Leadership: Promote and integrate Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori knowledge, perspectives, and leadership in ocean science and management. Foster meaningful partnerships that respect and uplift traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices related to the ocean.
Goals and Activities
- Facilitate communication and collaboration between ECOPs across Australia and New Zealand
- Facilitate connections between AUS/NZ ECOPs and the global UN ECOP network
- Promote participation of AUS/NZ ECOPs in global ECOP initiatives and events
- Organize webinars featuring AUS/NZ ocean experts and ECOPs
- Plan annual in-person ECOP AUS/NZ symposium
- Enable communication for sharing of research, job opportunities, and funding information among ECOPs
ECOP AUS/NZ Highlights
We are thrilled to report our AMSANZMS ECOP AUS-NZ meetup was a resounding success! 🌊 We had a full house of early career ocean professionals from across Australia and New Zealand. The turnout shows the great enthusiasm for connecting and collaborating in our region. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and made this event special. Special thanks to Karen Evans, Scott Spillias, Rachel Kelly, McKeira Cumming and the AMSANZMS 2024 organisers for their invaluable help. We’re excited to build on this momentum and create more opportunities for our ECOP community. Stay tuned for future events! Together, we’re making waves in ocean science.
Why Join ECOP AUS/NZ?
- Be part of our communication network to connect with other ECOPs across Australia and New Zealand.
- Access development opportunities and networking events tailored to the AUS/NZ context.
- Stay informed about the latest conferences, events, job opportunities, and funding in the region.
- Contribute to and learn from the unique oceanic perspectives of Australia and New Zealand, including indigenous knowledge systems.
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ECOP AUS/NZ Coordination Unit
Contact: australia_newzealand@ecopdecade.org
Rebecca Zitoun
Integrated Marine Observing System, Hobart, Australia
Rebecca Zitoun is a Science Engagement Officer for Coastal Observing at the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) and is the Coordinator for the CoastRI Initiative. Her expertise encompasses marine biogeochemistry, including metal speciation, toxicology, ocean acidification, and paleoceanography. Rebecca actively contributes as an expert to GESAMP (Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection) and Ocean Vision 2030 and has served as a consultant for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on marine issues, including trace element contaminants and marine plastics. In recent years, she has focused on capacity building in Small Island Developing States, ocean literacy, the science-policy interface, and engaging Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) in the UN Decade of Ocean Science. Rebecca chairs the SCOR Committee for Capacity Development and is the co-chair elect of the Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS).
Emma Church
University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
Emma Church is a Research Fellow in Great Southern Reef Socioecology at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies and Centre for Marine Socioecology. She leads an interdisciplinary research initiative exploring community awareness, conservation behaviours, and stewardship of the Great Southern Reef—an interconnected temperate reef system spanning 8,000 km of Australia’s southern coastline.
Emma’s diverse experience includes reporting on Queensland’s State of Science, monitoring Southern Oceans with CSIRO, and participating in the Homeward Bound Women’s Global Leadership Initiative.