Coastal areas face various social and environmental issues, such as habitat loss, pollution, vulnerability to storm surges and extreme weather events, decline of natural resources, and poorly planned developments. Addressing these challenges has become even more urgent due to climate change. Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to the various impacts of climate change that threaten livelihoods, natural resources, and protected ecosystems. Various studies have, however, shown that current governance systems are ill-equipped to deal with these coastal issues and that their functioning is hampered by territorial, administrative, and sectoral fragmentation. Integrated forms of planning and management have been called for, but these are often difficult to realize and implement. Other challenges lie in the domain of stakeholder involvement, the science–policy interface, and digitalization.

This thematic issue aims to enrich the understanding of the particular challenges of transforming coastal governance, focusing on five key governance dimensions:

1. The development and use of strategic foresight.

2. The use of scientific knowledge.

3. The integration of land–sea management and planning.

4. Participatory practices and stakeholder involvement.

5. The use of e-governance tools.

Analyzing these different dimensions, the various positions that have emerged in different governance systems, and the interrelations between the positions on different dimensions can provide useful insights into the functioning of governance systems and the facilitators and barriers for change and can therefore enrich existing frameworks for analyzing coastal governance. Bringing together both theoretical and empirical reflections, this thematic issue will take stock of relevant experiences throughout the EU to put forward recommendations for the adaptation and transformation of current governance systems.

The initiative for this thematic issue stems from the Horizon Europe-funded BlueGreen Governance (https://bggovernance.eu) project that focuses on developing innovative land–sea governance systems bringing together a diverse network of scholars and practitioners.

The task of mapping and representing oceans and their transformations is at the heart of ocean research. Not least because Western mythology has framed oceans, and ocean life, as a trope of the unseeable, hence unknowable, for a long time. The currently changing ways of looking at oceans coincide with a rise in artistic research that has gained significant traction over the last two decades. An indication of this is the development of numerous new PhD programmes in artistic research around the world, sometimes offered jointly by art universities and social sciences or humanities universities.

Since the seminal work of Solid Sea by the group Multiplicity about the routes of tourists, migrants, seamen, and others that cross but don’t touch, shown at Documenta 11 in Kassel in 2002, there has been a steady growth of artistic research seeking to visualise the complexities of life in, on, and around oceans. The significance of this development can be seen, amongst others, in the initiation of Forensic Oceanography, a collaborative project between Lorenzo Pezzani and Charles Heller, which developed out of Forensic Architecture, the human rights-oriented research agency based at Goldsmiths, University of London, or the founding of Ocean Space, established and led by TBA21–Academy, which runs a high-profile exhibition programme in Venice dedicated to creating a collaborative platform for ocean imagination and ocean action, and presenting works such as the multi-screen installation Oceans in Transformation by Territorial Agency, that synthesised three years of intersectional research.

This thematic issue aims to chart what new perspectives artistic research can contribute to the discourse on oceans and society by tracking the breadth and scope of key works and practices in this field and highlighting potential new avenues opened up by emerging research.

To make these currents tangible, this thematic issue welcomes articles exploring questions like:

• How is artistic research on oceans and ocean life navigating the junctions of seeing and knowing, representation and evidence, experience and belief?
• How does artistic research engage with the issue of visuality as a critical parameter in ocean research, both in terms of engendering recognition and enabling discourse?
• How can the narrative and dialogical dimensions of artistic research help emphasise societal aspects of ocean research and further its transdisciplinary relevance and political impact?
• How can the specificities of artistic research foster new ways of engaging with the fluidity of ocean environments?
• In what ways can artistic research open up new approaches in dealing with the challenges inherent in ocean research such as the challenges of scale, fluctuation, or metamorphosis?

The thematic issue Blue Horizon: Exploring Gender Dynamics aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the diverse domains underpinning the topics around gender equality in blue governance and the blue economy. It will explore critical areas such as climate change, sailing, sustainability and equality, women in fisheries, blue ethics and ocean values, aquaculture, women in extreme environments, and labour exploitation at the sea. Aligning with the interdisciplinary nature of the research for the UNESCO Chair in Ocean Governance and the Centre for Blue Governance, this thematic issue is conducted with research collaborations from various fields, including economics, law, policy and governance, geography, logistics, technology, marine biology, and ecology, etc., to address the most pressing gender issues in blue governance of our time and reflect upon pathways for the future. This intellectual journey is key to the development of sustainability and the future of gender dynamics in the blue governance of our day-to-day lives.

The objective of the thematic issue is to firstly address the current key issues of gender dynamics of blue governance and raise the awareness to not only the academics but also the general public readership, and secondly, to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among experts, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders interested in the sustainable governance of marine resources for further studies.

Understanding the complexity of human–ocean relationships has been increasingly recognized as being central to addressing the triple crises currently facing the ocean and the communities who depend on it—climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequities. Since the early 2000s, the concept of ocean literacy has evolved as a framework to explore and understand this relationship. Defined as having an understanding of your influence on the ocean and its influence on you, ocean literacy has moved beyond its original education and knowledge roots to recognize at least 10 dimensions. These dimensions, which include the themes of knowledge, attitudes and communication, and the frameworks associated with them are increasingly being adopted, and indeed adapted, to help us to further understand human–ocean relationships and to support the co-development of solutions to address the challenges facing the ocean. With the positioning of ocean literacy as a key mechanism for change within the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, it is both timely and necessary to continue to examine and expand the concept of ocean literacy beyond its existing boundaries. Such work will help to determine its role within wider ocean governance and sustainability. Crucially, this thematic issue draws on the recent definition of ocean literacy research as an interdisciplinary field of research which explores the diverse dimensions, drivers, and impacts of ocean literacy initiatives. Ocean literacy research seeks to understand how these aspects vary in different socio-cultural, economic, political and geographic contexts, inclusive of diverse voices, actors and ocean relations, and how these insights can be used to further develop ocean literacy initiatives and maximize their potential as a mechanism for change across the UN Ocean Decade. With this in mind, this thematic issue welcomes submissions drawing on a wide range of research fields and practices, including but not limited to:

• Agenda 2030
• Advocacy, activism, and communication
• Case studies on successful ocean literacy programs, projects, and interventions
• Citizen science and knowledge co-production
• Citizenship
• Climate change and/or the ocean/climate nexus
• Community and stakeholder engagement
• Community-led socio-economic development
• Future pathways to sustainability and equity
• Indigenous knowledge and/or traditional ecological practices
• Informing nature-based solutions
• Legal and governance frameworks influenced by ocean literacy
• The role of ocean literacy in enhancing education and outreach

Many port cities across the globe have long thrived on maritime flows and trade connections, leveraging their strategic locations to drive socio-spatial and economic growth. Ports functioning as gateways and hubs have historically been of key importance for local economies. However, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and technological advancements, such as containerisation and innovation in the shipping industry, the dynamic between ports and cities has been undergoing significant changes. While they are often governed by separate entities—port authorities and municipalities or city councils—ports and cities remain closely intertwined in terms of spatial connectivity and shared interests in the port-city interface spaces. Yet, as ports continue to influence and shape urban landscapes, there is a pressing need to introduce new tools and perspectives to understand how global flows through maritime infrastructures reshape the built environment. Moreover, as the process of port regionalization, defined as the impact of ports on its adjacent territories, continues, the area affected by port-related activities becomes increasingly more complex and extensive. Therefore, fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders in ports, cities, and regions becomes imperative. Port-city-regions are, therefore, complex geographic areas characterised by a metropolitan region with proximity to a major port(s) and port-related activities (sea and inland). Such regions become central hubs for shipping, cargo handling, and related industries, playing a pivotal role in regional and global economies and trade networks.

Maritime transport is a catalyst for urban and regional development. Still, it also brings negative externalities to urban and rural or sparsely populated environments, such as pollution, congestion, and noise. Addressing these challenges is vital for sustainable port, city, and regional development. Discussions on green ports, blue growth, and green corridors have spurred environmental awareness and encouraged efforts toward sustainable port operations and increased marine traffic. With these discussions come a proliferation of new concepts and terminologies, necessitating exploration to establish a common language that bridges the gap between research, planning, policy, and practice.

This thematic issue seeks to advance the conceptual, theoretical, and empirical discussion around the spatiality of port(s) and their hosting cities in different regions of the world. The aim is to contribute to the large body of literature by identifying the territorial typology of port cities starting from the global flows (commodity, passengers, and knowledge) that run through maritime and inland ports and create a complex ecosystem. Contributions from various disciplines in urban and social studies should, in particular, address (but are not limited to) the following themes:

• Typologies and hierarchies of spaces shaped by maritime flows at the port-city interface and within the wider region
• Taxonomy of spatial impacts of ports on the surrounding landscape that is affected by the port or port-related activities and vice versa
• Innovative interdisciplinary methodologies and tools for studying and planning contemporary port city regions
• The role of institutions and multiplicity of stakeholders in shaping port city regions
• A glossary of policy toolkits, actions, and strategies for sustainable development of port-city-regions
• Examples of multiscale planning tools for governing port city regions, i.e., local and municipal plans, sectorial plans, port planning, Maritime Spatial Planning, etc.
• Revisiting the concept of port-city relationship through the lens of new urban waterfront and urban regeneration

The integration of different knowledges is considered essential in ocean and coastal governance for understanding and addressing the complex and transboundary changes that oceans and societies are affected by. In this line, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Development (2021–2030) calls for “the science we need for the ocean we want” and the 5th International Polar Year (2032–2033) evolves around “the urgent need for coordinated international research to tackle the biggest challenges of polar research, for both the Polar Regions themselves and for the world as a whole.”

This thematic issue derives from the notion that the “coordination” and integration of different knowledges to develop advanced understandings is a political process that is shaped amongst others by societal inequalities and different governance formats in place. To assess the implication of this notion for the governance of the oceans, the “common heritage of humankind” (United Nations Law of the Sea), this thematic issue explores knowledge integration processes in ocean governance. It sheds light on different governance formats, the role of participatory and co-creative approaches of knowledge integration, their potentials, limitations, and the micropolitics related to them. We invite contributions from different scientific disciplines that introduce and assess concepts of relevance in different regional settings or for the “global ocean” at large, by investigating questions like:

• How much and what kind of knowledge integration can actually be found in ocean governance arrangements?
• What is the role of participatory and co-creative research approaches in different areas (like geopolitical and socio-economic fields) in ocean governance?
• How do institutional arrangements and mechanisms encourage or hinder the integration of different knowledges and perspectives in ocean governance?
• Under what conditions can participatory and co-creative research approaches advance or limit the legitimacy and/or effectiveness of ocean governance?
• How should co-created research ideally feed into ocean governance and how do existing governance formats would have to change?

Blue Growth is the EU's long-term policy to promote sustainable economic growth in the maritime sector and aims to create new jobs and business opportunities while also preserving the marine environment and its health. Yet, particularly in maritime realms, gender equality in terms of job opportunities and participation in the use, management, and development of marine resources are unbalanced, as women's contributions are too often hindered, overlooked, or undervalued. New perspectives on blue growth offer an opportunity to reverse these trends. In Europe, and especially in the Nordic countries with a history of commitment to gender equality and women’s emancipation, there is nevertheless an absence of women’s participation both in management and in operations within various sectors associated with the blue growth. Recognizing that research on gender perspectives has not sufficiently captured gender-relevant themes, the thematic issue on “gender” aims towards filling the gaps and raising these issues in marine and maritime sectors from a broad perspective. Marine sectors and non-economic activities encompass fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, cultural heritage, well-being and blue health, renewable energy, and maritime transport, among others.
The thematic issue welcomes articles from different disciplines that lift the following central questions or alike:

• How can women’s participation in blue growth be embedded?
• How can gender-sensitive blue growth policies and programs be developed to establish an equitable future for all genders?
• How can gender-sensitive policies and programs increase the participation of non-traditional seafarers in blue growth?
• How can women’s skills and capacity in the maritime sector be enhanced?
• What are the means that would increase women’s participation in decision-making processes related to the management and conservation of marine natural resources?
• How are more enabling environments for women’s and non-binary persons’ participation, involvement, retention, and safety needs in the maritime sector created?

This thematic issue explores the complex realities that arise from the ocean-climate nexus and its governance-oriented challenges and opportunities. Ocean and climate governance continue to be intricate and compelling issues that set barriers to the sustainable use of oceans and their potential contribution to the fight against climate change and vice versa. There is a growing need to understand how different and divergent actors (states, non-state actors, international organizations, corporations, courts, regimes, etc.) will approach the use of oceans during the era of the ever-growing effects of climate change.

Ocean, for this thematic issue, is perceived in its broadest meaning. It covers issues concerning oceans per se and other maritime activities that can contribute to the sustainability of the seas (such as sustainable coastal areas, sustainable marine tourism, port governance, etc.). Accordingly, climate change governance covers a broad array of actions that actors may undertake, such as new policies or initiatives for the sustainable use of oceans, either to achieve the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions or to adapt to the impacts of climate change or both.

Contributions to this issue are welcome from various disciplines, such as social sciences, political science/IR, political economy, maritime studies, environmental studies, legal studies, etc. They may focus on various sub-fields or examples (shipping, biodiversity, science, security, and many more). The goal is to draw a comprehensive image of several aspects that would benefit the sustainability of the oceans and its links to the contribution to the fight against climate change through a governance spectrum, approached in broad terms, and create a first body of multidisciplinary approaches on the issues at hand.

This thematic issue aims to answer the horizontal, cross-cutting, and overarching research question of how ocean climate governance can move forward. Each contribution can specify and answer this question in a way that is unique and contributes to the creation of a comprehensive approach.

Coastal communities and their environments are experiencing rapid transformations. Global shifts in demographics, weather patterns, water systems, and climate are significantly impacting coastal businesses, communities, and ecosystems. Addressing these challenges requires the sustainable use and conservation of coastal and marine resources to foster a robust economy, a healthy environment, and resilient and inclusive communities. Despite advancements, substantial knowledge gaps persist concerning marine ecosystems and their interconnectedness with society. Even when evidence-based strategies to prevent marine ecosystem loss are available, they are often overlooked in policy and management frameworks. Additionally, many existing policies, plans, and actions aimed at addressing marine ecosystem challenges have proven ineffective or counterproductive, sometimes exacerbating environmental degradation or deepening socio-economic disparities and injustices.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, there is growing consensus on the need for a rapid, significant, and coordinated transformative change. This transformation must integrate environmental, social, cultural, behavioral, economic, political, health, and justice dimensions to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

Central to this effort is the integration of science and engagement programs focused on watersheds, and coastal, and ocean ecosystems, highlighting the critical connections between these systems and the well-being of coastal communities. This thematic issue invites submissions of practical case studies that demonstrate the role of universities as collaborative platforms for promoting sustainable development in marine and coastal regions. These collaborations unite individuals, communities, educators, scientists, legal experts, organizations, industries, and governments, leveraging the best available science, technology, policy insights, and resource management expertise. Contributors are especially encouraged to emphasize the social impacts of their practices, showcasing how their initiatives address real-world challenges. This focus on tangible outcomes underscores the importance of translating research and engagement into lasting benefits for both communities and ecosystems.

Waterways have played a critical role in the development of human societies from prehistoric times to the present day, serving not only as essential conduits for travel and trade but also as vectors for cultural exchange, material trade, and the transmission of knowledge. These aquatic spaces have enabled interactions across vast distances, facilitating the spread of ideas, technologies, and cultural practices between diverse communities.

Focusing on the dynamics of human–environment interactions within maritime, fluvial, and lacustrine (lake) settings, this interdisciplinary seminar series delves into recent advances in maritime history, archaeology, law, and anthropology. This series aims to bridge the gaps between disciplines, fostering a holistic understanding of how waterways have shaped, and continue to shape, societies worldwide. Topics will range from ancient navigation and settlement patterns to modern issues in maritime conservation and the sustainable management of water-based cultural heritage.

The idea for this thematic issue emerged from a monthly workshop gathering specialists from various fields who share expertise on the subject. These sessions bring together historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, lawyers, and environmental scientists, creating a collaborative environment where insights are exchanged, and new research directions are developed. Each seminar in the series serves as a stepping stone toward a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between humans and waterways, emphasizing both historical perspectives and contemporary relevance.