Workshop 22 "Seawards, the European University Ocean Cluster"

This workshop will bring together leading European universities specializing in ocean and marine sciences to advance the establishment of a European University Ocean Cluster. Recognizing the need for deeper academic cooperation in maritime education and research, the Cluster aims to serve as a long-term facilitator of interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering a network that enhances education, research, and knowledge transfer across Europe.

Building on the experiences of key initiatives such as Erasmus Mundus, sea alliance, and multidisciplinary group of researchers, the workshop will assess the limitations, challenges, and enabling factors shaping current university-led collaborations. By drawing on insights from participating universities and from audience, the discussion will explore the key priorities and strategic objectives that should guide the Cluster’s development, ensuring permanent impact.

A central focus of the workshop will be to explore pathways for sustaining the Cluster beyond individual projects, reinforcing institutional partnerships and strengthening the integration of research, education, and the university third mission. Participants will examine concrete mechanisms to jointly address educational challenges and ease institutional collaboration. The discussion will also address barriers to long-term cooperation, including funding constraints, structural fragmentation, and curricula misalignement