SPOTLIGHT ON EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHER: Kelly Hoareau
1. What’s your greatest achievement since you started working for One Ocean Hub?
My experience with the One Ocean Hub helped me to be a more dynamic ocean professional and this inspired me to move more confidently into undertaking a PhD in Australia a bit later on in life and after having worked for a few years. The changes that resulted from this impacted my family, and as a mum there were so many uncertainties. Having worked on One Ocean Hub research and recognising the value of working in a space that embraces such diversity where I felt most at home, helped me to embrace these challenges. I am grateful for the scholarships I received to undertake my PhD from the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre and the University of Tasmania and my connection to the Hub that still helps me to be an innovative early-career researcher (ECR).
2. How does your work contribute to shaping the One Ocean Hub’s interdisciplinary endeavours?
My experience working with multiple other countries and in Seychelles, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) seen as being one of the leaders in embracing the blue economy, has meant that I have been able to reflect on some of the challenges and opportunities that might relate to SIDS and least developed countries. My work experience as a leader has meant that I have been able to facilitate difficult discussions and address challenges that occur in spaces where such a diverse group of people operate.
3. What opportunity has the Hub provided you to lead on innovative research? How has the Hub enhanced your leadership skills?
The hardest opportunity for innovative research I tackled under the Hub turned out to be the best one – working on a paper about knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research with a diverse multinational group of researchers that form part of the Hub who all had their own opinion on what this meant based on their own positionality. Working through tensions and creating a space that was open to diverse views and opinions helped us to write a paper that is different but really interesting and I learnt so much from my co-authors. I was ready to give up on it at the start because it seemed so complicated to work through while dealing with the demands of so many other commitments, but I am glad that we all persevered.
4. What, in your view, have been the Hub’s most impactful activities?
Integrating inclusive arts-based approaches into knowledge development and uptake processes. I have used many of the products developed by the Hub in my own teaching and outreach activities to illustrate how impactful transdisciplinary approaches can be when working together with scientists, composers, illustrators, poets, and the wider community.
5. What are the aspects of working in a collaborative environment such as the One Ocean Hub that you value the most?
The authentic and inclusive engagement with diverse groups of stakeholders and researchers across multiple countries. The challenges of today require innovative approaches, but these are difficult to envision. I think the Hub was given an opportunity to try something different and uncertain. This has allowed for an amazing opportunity for us to see how dynamic groups of people from different backgrounds and with different views can work together on complex ocean governance challenges to surface really innovative new ways of tackling these challenges that have local and global impacts. I think the inclusive approach of the Hub leadership and coordination team has allowed people to engage, contribute and learn, regardless of their capacity challenges, time constraints, and dynamic personal and professional circumstances.
6. What are the challenges and new demands that early-career researchers face today?
Eco-grief. Our work means that we are constantly battered by the reality of a changing climate and ocean and what this means to communities, children, and young people that will have to make their way in a very different world. The emotional impact of this to us as researchers can be overlooked and we need to find ways to make sure we are resilient so that we can continue to support knowledge systems that are impactful and effective. I think that we often see this as a weakness in a world that is all about strength in research, and it takes a lot to step back and own the mental strain of working in this space. It is short-sighted of us to ignore this and ultimately burn out and then have no impact.
Transdisciplinary approaches are challenging with many more opportunities for us to feel like imposters! They push us out of our comfort zone and require much longer periods of learning and synthesising of different perspectives. We, as early career researchers and ocean professionals, have the opportunity to work in this really innovative space that has a meaningful impact on complex problems, but it comes at the cost of sometimes not building on one discipline or simpler projects that allow us to knock out projects and papers with a higher turnover. I think the traditional academic systems need ECRs to help create a space where traditional ways of knowing and doing can exist with new innovative approaches.
7. What is your advice to fellow early-career researchers working on a global development project?
Keep going! The most learning happens in moments when you feel like you have no idea where things are going or what your role might be. Be open to differences in approaches as they will help you reflect on your own views and help you to embrace new perspectives. People are at the centre of it all – shared learning, networking, collaboration. So many opportunities for innovation and growth happen when you take time to listen and share, but this can be challenging when you are still finding your way in your academic career or ocean profession.
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