Empowering women

to protect the ocean

Supporting women is protecting the ocean

Women in Ocean Science (WOS) is a UK registered charity, global network and community that tackles gendered challenges in marine science and conservation. It’s our mission to empower women to thrive in ocean-related careers by providing essential support, training, and development opportunities. We believe that supporting women is protecting the ocean—by elevating female voices, we are fostering an international movement to drive meaningful change for our marine environment.

OUR PROJECTS

Ambassador Programme

Supporting a network of University Students across academic institutions worldwide.

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ICB Partnership

A partnership with Integrative and Comparative Biology (ICB) to publish the work of women in ocean science.

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Empower Ocean

Training local women from small island communities to become guardians of their own marine environment.

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WOS Membership

Become a member of our community to access webinars, mentorship, and other opportunities.

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Women in Ocean Science Mentorship Pilot 2026

Become a Member

We’re launching a small, intentional mentorship pilot for early-career women in ocean science.

This global mentorship program is designed to support women at the early stages of their careers by connecting them with established professionals across marine science, conservation, policy, industry, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and science communication.

Applications are open until March 8th, 2026. For more details and to apply, sign up to become a member. It’s free!

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The United Nations declared 2021–2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development - a global effort to generate the science we need for the ocean we want. Among the first endorsed Decade Actions was the Empowering Women for the Ocean Decade Programme: a commitment to advancing gender equality in ocean science and ensuring women are at the forefront of science, policy, and governance for our ocean’s future.

At Women in Ocean Science, this mission is at the heart of what we do. We are proud to support this global movement by breaking down barriers to women’s participation and leadership in marine science - from fieldwork and research to policy, communication, and governance. Across all that we do, we bridge SDG 5 and SDG 14, because ocean health and gender equity are inseparable.

The ocean we want must include the women we need.

The Ocean Decade

As we prepare for an exciting 2026, we want to hear from the people who matter most: you. Women in Ocean Science exists to support and elevate women and gender-diverse people pursuing careers in ocean-related fields. Your experiences, challenges, and ideas help guide the programmes, resources, and community we build.

By sharing your insights, you directly influence the future of WOS - from mentorship and training to advocacy and global impact. Help us create the support system you need to thrive!