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

Mentorship Scheme

We match early-career Mentees with professional Mentors Worldwide.

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ICB Partnership

A partnership with Integrative and Comparative Biology (ICB), publishing the work of women.

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Ambassador Programme

Supporting a network of University Students across global academic institutions.

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Empower Ocean

We train local women from small island nations to be guardians of their coral reefs.

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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

We’re proud to announce that we have successfully launched an 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.

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APPLICATIONS FOR MENTEES ARE NOW CLOSED.

Our matching has now been completed and all selected applicants have been contacted.

We hope to launch the next program in 2027 — stay tuned for updates.

Be the first to know about future programs by signing up as a member.

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Elevate. Empower. Protect. (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Three women in scuba gear on a boat preparing for diving, with scuba tanks in front of them and a body of water in the background.

A woman in sunglasses and a striped tank top stands by a pool with a coral propagation system submerged in the water, containing various colorful coral fragments. The background features a building with wooden and metal fencing.

A woman sitting on a sandy beach with scuba fins and snorkeling gear, smiling at the camera, with clear blue water and green trees in the background.

Two women wearing blue and black sportswear preparing for scuba diving, adjusting their scuba gear under a large tree.

Two people standing in shallow ocean water at sunset, examining something on a smartphone and holding a clipboard.

A scuba diver explores a coral reef underwater, with various small fish swimming around the coral.

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.