OFI Ambassador Program
Ambassadors will promote and shape OFI’s future direction, engage with other leaders, and mentor young OFI researchers. They will be chosen not only for their experience and reputation, but their ability to explain research in plain language. The program offers a way to recognize distinguished ocean researchers for their scientific contributions to OFI through formal long-term association. The OFI Ambassador program was approved by OFI’s Executive Council in July 2020.
The goal of this program is to harness the expertise and fully engage leading investigators to raise the OFI profile and partake in the scientific dialogue in an outward facing capacity locally, nationally, and internationally.
Appointments will be considered for influential investigators/researchers associated with the OFI whose research closely reflects the Institute’s vision and mission.
The first Ambassador, Dr. Boris Worm, will focus on Ocean Literacy. Other topic areas under consideration for future Ambassadors include:
- Ocean and climate
- Ocean biodiversity
- Ocean Sensors and Technology
- Ocean and Social Science
- Ocean and Applied Science
Other topics may be considered.
Appointments will be made through a nomination process, considering diversity of both the nominee and their proposed mentee, depth and breadth of the nominee’s expertise and whether it aligns with OFI strategy. The nominee must have the support of the Dean of the appropriate Faculty and the OFI Scientific Directorate; OFI’s Executive Council will approve OFI Ambassador appointments, along with their proposed mentee.
OFI Ambassadors are expected to:
• Engage with OFI leadership in high-level strategic discussions in an advisory capacity
• Perform outreach and knowledge mobilization activities for OFI, within the ocean subject area of their appointment
• Promote OFI at local, national, international conferences/meetings/events
• Identify potential opportunities for OFI partnerships/collaborations/etc. and report such to OFI’s Chief Strategic Engagement Officer
To learn more about the OFI Ambassador program and nomination process, contact
Anya Waite in Halifax
Anya.Waite@oceanfi.ca
Paul Snelgrove in Newfoundland
psnelgrove@mun.ca