Editorial: The contributions of Early Career Researchers in advancing ocean sustainability

Introduction

Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are scientists in the initial stages of their research career, although the exact definition varies among sources (from based on the number of years after completing the highest academic qualification to self-identified; e.g., ECOP Programme, 2022; EGU, 2026). They are an important component of the research ecosystem, undertaking most of the fundamental activities—researching and testing new methods, discovery, referencing—and offering fresh and diverse perspectives. They are active in the scientific communication and dissemination sphere (Nicholas et al., 2019) and are often at the forefront of inter- and transdisciplinary approaches (Strand et al., 2022; Cvitanovic et al., 2026), showcasing their ability to navigate between academic and non-academic communities and between disciplines, including the science-policy interface (Washbourne et al., 2024). Marine ECRs (or ECOPs—Early Ocean Career Professionals) provide an excellent example of all of the above. They develop new interventions and foster collaborations to tackle marine ecosystem challenges, and conduct cutting-edge research with potential to shape ocean sustainability policies at local, national, or international levels (Satterthwaite et al., 2025).

This Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability Research Topic aimed to highlight ECRs' contributions to the growing field of ocean sustainability studies. The call was open for various kinds of submissions—from new frameworks and methods to collaborative perspectives on ECR initiatives. Interdisciplinary, transboundary, social sciences-centered approaches were encouraged. Published manuscripts range from local case studies on community and knowledge co-creation to global perspectives on equity, policy, and science integration. This showcases the breadth and depth of research undertaken by ECRs and serves as a reminder that ECRs contribute greatly to “the science we need for the ocean we want,” the vision of The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030; also shortened to “Ocean Decade”).

The “pressures-changes-responses” chain

Several contributions to this Research Topic examine how communities are impacted and/or respond to various pressures in a rapidly changing environment. This approach has become increasingly used in frameworks such as DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) and its successor DAPSI(W)R(M) (Drivers-Acitivities-Pressures-State change-Impacts on human Welfare-Responses-Measures). These frameworks provide a structured way to understand how human activities impact marine ecosystems and highlight that management measures need to be responsive to environmental changes (e.g., Atkins et al., 2011; Elliott et al., 2017).

Existing studies on marine litter typically focus on its origin, distribution pathways, and ecological impacts, while its socioeconomic impacts are poorly understood. A systematic review by Guerrato and Gonçalves addresses this question by analyzing global research on marine litter impacts on small scale fisheries. They identify only 14 studies, conducted primarily in the Global North countries. This contribution highlights a critical knowledge gap in our understanding of socio-economic impacts of marine litter on artisanal fishers, and calls for more socially attuned and geographically balanced research.

A socio-economic lens has been also adopted by Akoton et al., who analyse the relationship between household socio-economic profiles and their dependence on mangrove resources along the Benin coastline. Using semi-structured interviews and observational methods, the authors distinguish five household categories representing different degrees of vulnerability, access to resources, and mangrove use. The study argues that because of those various socioeconomic profiles, mangrove management strategies need to be tailored accordingly. This study provides evidence for targeted and locally-specific management strategies.

Moving on to urban settings, Minuti et al. analyse how Hong Kong balances its rapid urbanization with ocean sustainability through ecologically engineered infrastructure. In this review, authors describe how eco-engineered shorelines emerged as a response to traditional “hard” built structures, which overlook biodiversity, ecological function, and habitat complexity. By placing the evolution of coastal defense structures in a technical, ecological and socio-political context, Minuti et al. are able to identify the key success factors and challenges for eco-shorelines, and offer a roadmap for other coastal cities.

Collaboration and co-creation

One of the key success factors for effective coastal and marine management, also referenced by Minuti et al., is meaningful community participation (e.g., Pomeroy and Douvere, 2008; Sayce et al., 2013; Day, 2017). The following contributions explore this idea further in three diverse geographical settings: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in Southern China, San Antonio Bay in Argentina, and Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve in Benin and Togo.

Chu looks into management of the cross-border wetlands between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, where local NGOs stepped in to lead the conservation efforts. The author interviewed several state and non-state actors to understand the factors that rendered this transboundary collaboration between NGOs a success. She also recognizes a growing role of other non-state actors, namely ECRs, in providing scientific basis for further conservation measures.

While Chu analyses what happens when various conditions create a favorable context for joint conservation efforts, Relano et al. show an example of how grassroot interventions occur when these conditions are less than optimal. Argentina's San Antonio Bay Marine Protected Area, designated without stakeholder collaboration and ultimately ineffective (“paper park”), created conflicts that led to degradation of the area, as recounted by stakeholders interviewed for the study. The case study further demonstrates how, in the absence of stakeholder co-creation, community-led initiatives emerge as a way of fostering stewardship and driving positive change in the area.

Tcheton et al. look at how Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) practices support mangrove conservation in the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve in Benin and Togo in West Africa. Using semi-structured interviews and observational research, Tcheton et al. identify a wealth of practices supporting sustainable natural resources management, and risks to those practices. The authors call for preserving biocultural diversity of the area and inclusion of ILK in policy design and implementation.

From ECRs, for ECRs and wider community

The next three articles provide new perspectives and recommendations from ECRs operating at the science-policy and knowledge production interfaces, a growing research area (e.g., Cvitanovic et al., 2015; Cvitanovic and Hobday, 2018) where emerging researchers can offer meaningful contributions (Karcher et al., 2026).

Guilhon et al. conducted a survey on barriers and opportunities that deep-sea ECRs face when aiming to engage with policy- or decision-makers. A vast majority of respondents is interested in participating in ocean policy and decision-making processes—but similarly, a vast majority of respondents face several barriers to participation in science-policy interfaces. This study is a call for action for improved ECR inclusion in policy and decision-making processes.

Vozzo et al. highlight key contributions of ECRs [ECOPs], who “represent current and future ocean leaders,” and offer recommendations—as ECRs themselves—to the wider ocean community to help achieve the Ocean Decade vision. These recommendations involve: promoting transparent data practices, valuing different knowledge systems (such as ILK), and investing in knowledge exchange between disciplines and jurisdictions.

Integration of diverse knowledge systems into the Ocean Decade framework is discussed in depth in a perspective piece by West et al. Western science has dominated the knowledge production system since colonial times and continues to exist via extractive, neo-colonial practices and hierarchical approach to science, where natural sciences are valued over the social ones. The authors invite the wider academic community to adopt reflexivity in own research, confront colonial practices, and draw upon diverse methodologies for a more just and contextually sensitive research.

Conclusion

This Research Topic provides space for ECRs to showcase their innovative approaches to science and offer new perspectives on how we should tackle barriers to achieving ocean sustainability. This Research Topic features interdisciplinary, transboundary, and collaborative studies, and places a lot of weight on equity and social justice—from knowledge production to sustainable management and conservation. It is interesting to note the number of contributions from the Global South and the increasing importance of topics which have been neglected in the past (e.g., ILK), as well as the importance of global collaboration (e.g., Decade of the Ocean) in marine sustainability. As ECRs are future ocean leaders, their voices need to be heard today.

Generative AI statement

The author(s) declared that Generative AI was not used in the creation of this manuscript.

Any alternative text (alt text) provided alongside figures in this article has been generated by Frontiers with the support of artificial intelligence and reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, including review by the authors wherever possible. If you identify any issues, please contact us.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Footnotes

Edited and reviewed by: Sebastian Christoph Alexander Ferse, IPB University, Indonesia