The NOVA School of Business and Economics (NOVA SBE) proudly hosted Ciência 2025, a three-day national celebration of science, knowledge sharing, and collaboration shaping the future of research in Portugal.
As part of the event, NOVA SBE organized the session “Ocean Studies: an Interdisciplinary Response to Ocean Challenges”, which showcased the university’s innovative approach to addressing one of humanity’s most pressing issues — the sustainable management of our oceans.
The session was moderated by Ana Rodrigues, and featured Antonieta Cunha e Sá, from the Environmental Economics Knowledge Center (EEKC), alongside Assunção Cristas (NOVA School of Law), José Carlos Ribeiro Ferreira (FCT NOVA), and Ana F. Lopes (University of Algarve).
The discussion also included short presentations by Mafalda Mesquita and Maria Rita Henriques, students from Colégio Valsassina (Lisbon), supported by Ciência Viva.
About the Session
This roundtable presented the origin, strategic vision, and interdisciplinary design of the new Bachelor’s in Ocean Studies — a pioneering program in Portugal that prepares professionals to address the complex and interconnected challenges of the oceans.
Bringing together perspectives from law, natural and social sciences, economics, technology, and the humanities, the degree promotes an integrated and collaborative approach to sustainable ocean governance.
Beyond introducing this academic innovation, the session encouraged dialogue between science, higher education, public policy, and society, emphasizing the role of interdisciplinary knowledge in developing effective and sustainable ocean solutions.
About the Bachelor’s in Ocean Studies
The Bachelor’s in Ocean Studies — an initiative of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, involving NOVA SBE, NOVA School of Law, and FCT NOVA — offers an interdisciplinary curriculum taught in English that bridges science, economics, technology, law, and policy.
Students engage in hands-on learning from the first year, including fieldwork in coastal and marine settings, with case studies such as the city of Sines serving as a living laboratory for exploring sustainable ocean management.
The program reflects NOVA’s vision of educating the next generation of leaders capable of integrating knowledge across disciplines to drive innovation and sustainability in ocean governance.
Global Relevance and Impact
Aligned with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) — the session highlighted the crucial role of education, research, and policy in building a sustainable ocean future.
By showcasing an innovative, collaborative academic model, the session reaffirmed Portugal’s position as a global reference in academic innovation for ocean sustainability.