Thalassophile Project

🌊 Come along to the next edition of the 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮 Series!

👉🏼 Join us for an interactive workshop exploring inclusion, accessibility, and our shared connection to the Ocean.

👉🏽 Learn ocean-themed British Sign Language ( ) signs and take part in a conversation about breaking barriers in and for d/Deaf communities.

👉🏾 Led by Rada Pandeva, founder of the Thalassophile Project, and Rebecca Hegedűs, MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology & Conservation student, this session will highlight the challenges faced by people with disabilities in ocean science and share practical ways to make learning spaces more inclusive and welcoming.

👉🏿 No prior BSL knowledge needed — just curiosity and a willingness to learn together.

ℹ️ Open to all University of Exeter and Falmouth University students and staff. Please register using your .ac.uk or .ac.uk email via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sensing-the-sea-series-ocean-themed-bsl-workshop-tickets-1974948327612

We can’t wait to sea you there! 🌊

University of Exeter Cornwall | ExeterMarine

Happy 2026, thalassophiles — long time no sea 💙

2025 has been a year of growth, and while we’ve been quieter on social media, a lot has been happening beneath the surface.

This year, our work was endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade. We attended , contributed to discussions on ocean literacy, and joined ’s webinar, focusing on bridging the gap between Ocean access and disability.

We thought we’d also share some moments from the past months that we haven’t yet had the chance to highlight:

🌀 April: We presented at the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva, advocating for genuine inclusivity, accessibility, and youth participation in Ocean policy.

🌀 September: We returned to Tromsø for the wrap-up of ECOCARE and the launch of a new project partnership, bLYSs, rooted in empathy, compassion, and care — moments that reminded us why connection and community matter.

🌀 Along the way: We faced some barriers, and we’re deeply grateful to our friend Freyja, who stepped up to represent our mission at the 12th Annual European Marine Science Educators Association Conference in Ostende — and even made the beautiful friendship bracelet you see in slide one.

🌀 October: We joined ’s H2O Lounge in Brussels, contributing to conversations on Blue Citizenship and supporting collective action for a more ocean-literate society.

🌀 Later in the year: We launched Sensing the Sea 🌊 — a new campaign inviting deeper, sensory connections with the Ocean. We’re currently developing an upcoming workshop with our newest ambassador, Rebecca, taking place in early February. Stay tuned…

We have exciting plans for 2026 and can’t wait to share more. For now, we’ll keep making waves behind the scenes — advocating for an and championing — because the Ocean is our greatest ally against climate change, and she needs each and every one of us to join superpowers for a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

The third United Nations Ocean Conference has come to an end, and we wanted to share some reflections and takeaways from our time in Nice 🇫🇷🌊

Firstly, huge thanks to Sounds of the Ocean, Interchange.eu and ECO_CARE for supporting our attendance and always championing our work 💙

🔹️ We had an incredible time supporting the event by ECO_CARE, Earth Law Center and Stop Ecocide International on co-creating Ocean stories through the unique lens of puppetry and law—an inspiring reminder that advocacy for the Ocean can, and should, take many forms. From art to science, policy to performance, our methods must be as diverse and creative as the communities we work with.

🔹️ We were also honoured to contribute to the Ocean Literacy Unesco IOC discussion on the at the Beyond Borders Pavilion, where we explored the barriers many still face in Ocean spaces—and how we can begin to break them down, together 🔗

If you’re part of an ocean literacy organisation—or working to make Ocean spaces more just, inclusive, and accessible—we’d love for you to join the Blue Thread community. Let’s build this movement together! Learn more here: https://share.google/nROMUDoIgNZ7tWCwf

👉 Swipe to the final slide for two beautiful visual summaries: one by the amazing Alessandra () capturing the essence of our Blue Thread conversation, and another by the fantastic F***y () reflecting on UNOC as a whole—created during the Océano Azul Foundation and Protect Blue event on the final day of the conference.

🔹️ The power is in the people. When we come together with a shared goal, we can change the world for the better. But many voices and conversations were missing from UNOC—and there’s still a long way to go before the Ocean truly becomes an inclusive space for all. We need to keep each other accountable, challenge norms, and empower everyone to do better.

The Ocean connects us all—so let’s make sure it includes us all, too.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘁 is here! 🎉

We are thrilled to share this very special UN Ocean Decade-endorsed Open Access publication with you! 📘

Designed with love, passion and accessibility in mind and heart, The Ocean Literacy Toolkit unites cross-disciplinary experts in building skills and knowledge for all through engaging multisensory activities—with the ultimate goal to restore humanity's relationship with the . 🫂

We especially want to highlight 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟳, 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, written by our dear thalassophile friend , founder of .spectrum and .initiative. Dana's beautiful words embody everything we stand and advocate for, and we couldn't be more proud of her and the work she does in this space! 💙

Additionally, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟴, 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆, features over 20 adaptable, downloadable, and fully accessible activities designed to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the Ocean while fostering meaningful connections among people.

Rooted in , , and , this book is a must-read for ocean educators looking to bridge the gap between people and the Ocean. 🌊

A heartfelt thank you to the whole .uit team, especially Margherita and Laura, for the opportunity to be a part of such a special project 💙

Access the book via the following link: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-78062-2

Check out the video summary, too: https://youtu.be/-aUECQo9haw?feature=shared
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