Strategic communications for ocean science, sustainability, and innovation
Your ocean work matters. But does it reach the people who need to understand and use it?
Too much important ocean science, policy, and innovation never reaches the people who need it most. Instead, it is lost in jargon, buried in reports, or shared without strategy.
Ocean Oculus is an ocean communications consultancy helping research projects, scientific organisations, nonprofits, initiatives, and innovation companies communicate complex work clearly, accurately, and with purpose.
Founded by Dr Sam Andrews, Ocean Oculus combines a background in marine science with more than a decade of experience across research, journalism, and strategic communication. We help turn complex evidence, ideas, and technical information into communication that reaches the right people and supports meaningful action.
Find your starting point
Choose the description that best matches your work and explore the ocean communication support most relevant to you.
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Your work generates evidence that matters. We help you make sure it reaches the people who need it.
Whether you need a communication strategy for a multi-partner project, plain language summaries of complex findings, or training to help your team communicate more confidently, we can help.
Not sure what you need or looking for something else? Get in touch to discuss your ocean communication project -
You know your mission. The challenge is making sure the right people know it too.
We help ocean-focused organisations tell their story clearly, build visibility, and communicate their impact, whether that's to supporters, partners, policymakers, or the wider public.
Not sure what you need? Get in touch to discuss your ocean communication project -
Your science and technology may be complex. Explaining its value should not be.
We help marine technology, ocean-observation, data, and innovation companies communicate what they do, why it matters, and how it can be used. From technical case studies and thought leadership to website content and communication strategy, we turn specialist knowledge into clear, credible communication for the audiences that matter.
Not sure what you need or looking for something else? Get in touch to discuss your ocean communication project
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We work with a wide range of ocean-focused organisations, projects, and individuals. If your work touches the ocean, get in touch, and we'll start a conversation.
Looking for something specific?
We offer communication and content strategies; summaries, briefings, and explainers; written and visual content; website and digital presence support; event communications support; and training and capacity-building workshops.
Looking for something else?
Selected Work
From research programmes to training workshops, a selection of projects and work spanning ocean science, policy, innovation, and engagement.
EU4OceanObs
A Horizon Europe project coordinating European ocean observing activities in support of ocean health, biodiversity, climate, and the blue economy. Providing communications support to help a complex, multi-partner initiative share its work clearly across scientific, policy, and ocean community audiences.
FloodMind
Communications workpackage lead for a UK research initiative exploring the mental health impacts of groundwater flooding, translating complex evidence for policy, funding, and community audiences.
Seabed 2030
Long-term communications support for one of the ocean world's most ambitious mapping initiatives, creating content that connects cutting-edge science with the people who need to understand and act on it.
Workshop: The Art of Science Communication
Designing and delivering a workshop helping researchers communicate their work with greater confidence, clarity, and impact — built around the specific challenges of communicating marine and ocean science.
From the Communication Brief
Thoughts, research, and perspectives on communications for the ocean world.
Discover why marine research projects need brand guidelines and how style and visual identity guides support consistency, clarity, and trust.
Should scientists advocate for policy change? Explore the boundary between evidence, values, credibility, and policy engagement.
A well-written press release gives journalists what they need to decide whether to cover your research. Here's how to structure one, target the right outlets, and avoid the most common mistakes.
Who actually influences ocean policy? Explore the role of intermediaries, advisors, and trusted messengers in science-policy communication.
A journalist wants to interview you about your marine science. Here's how to prepare and what to expect during the interview.
Most journalists won't share their story with you before publication. Here's why, and what you can do to protect the accuracy of your work without seeing the draft.
Ocean science often claims policy relevance without being specific. How researchers can make findings genuinely useful for policymakers and managers?
Starting your research communication plan with a list of deliverables is understandable, but it's usually the wrong approach. Here's a better way to think about it.
A journalist has made contact about your ocean research. Here's what to expect, how to prepare, and what happens after the interview.
Ocean data is more abundant than ever. But data alone doesn't communicate. Here's how to make complex ocean data accessible, accurate, and useful for non-specialist audiences.
A plain language summary can extend the reach of your research to the people who most need it. Here's what a plain language summary is and how you can write one well.
A communications work package is more than blog posts and newsletters. Here's what one actually involves, when your project needs one, and what to do if it doesn't.
Not sure if your ocean research will attract media interest? Here's how journalists and editors assess newsworthiness, and how to apply that thinking to your work.
Ocean research rarely influences policy on its own. Here's how to frame your findings, choose the right format, and reach decision-makers at the moment it matters.
Not every communications consultant understands ocean science, policy, or the culture of the ocean world. Here's what to look for – and what to ask – before you hire.
Most research communication plans start with a list of deliverables. Here's why that's the wrong starting point, and how to build a strategy that actually serves your research goals.
Policy briefs can help your science reach decision-makers - but only if they are targeted to the right audience.
Science communication and dissemination are not the same thing, but they're often treated as if they are. Here's why the distinction matters for ocean researchers
What chronological rather than algorithm-driven social media feeds means for ocean communication.
Two new reports reveal how social media is shifting for marine researchers. What does that mean for marine science communication?
Can generative AI models like ChatGPT write research summaries that laypeople, aka people without specialised research knowledge, can understand?
Should ocean researchers and organisations stay on X, or is it time to move on? A practical look at the question everyone in ocean science communication is asking.
A team at the University of Edinburgh has developed 400 environmental science signs for British Sign Language — a win for inclusive science communication.
Pint of Science, Science Cafe, Science on Tap…do pub-based science communication events actually work? Research suggests attendees are learning quite a bit.
Can scientists express their genuine fears and emotions about the climate crisis, the decline and destruction of nature, and the impacts on people and still be seen as credible, objective experts?
A round-up of science communication highlights from IMCC7 (the International Marine Conservation Congress) held in South Africa in October 2024
When public trust in science is low and misinformation is rife, how can ocean communicators help people find common ground on environmental protection?
Ocean observations are vital for understanding our ocean and keeping people safe. But there are gaps in the European ocean observing community. Communication is one of them
The closure of Hakai Magazine raises important questions about the sustainability of science journalism and what it means for science communication.
Can climate and ocean scientists become advocates without compromising their credibility? A look at the ongoing debate around scientists and activism.
From the Ocean Brief
Short ocean stories and insights covering science, policy, innovation, and the ocean community
The United Nations' Third World Ocean Assessment is huge. Here are some of the highlights.
A recent science expedition along Argentina’s continental shelf has been a reminder of just how much of the ocean life there is to be discovered.
New study demonstrated the economic damage sargassum causes to Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Florida’s Atlantic coast
Our oceans are under intense pressure from warming waters, pollution, and habitat loss, but new tools are emerging that could improve how we monitor the state of the ocean.
Researchers from MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, were surprised to discover a large field of hydrothermal vents near Milos Island, Greece.
Scientists studying the deep sea off the west coast of Canada have made a worrying discovery: zombie worms are missing.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a new washing machine filter inspired by fish gills, and early tests suggest it could remove more than 99 percent of microplastic fibres from laundry wastewater.
In this month’s Ocean Brief, I share my reflections on UNOC and the One Ocean Science Congress - something I've been meaning to do since June.
Ok, a confession. As far as I know, there are no awards for jellyfish, but if there were, these fabulous six would certainly meet the grade
Artificial nests can boost the breeding success of endangered African penguins, but different designs are more effective at different colonies
What’s geodiversity you ask? It’s short for geological diversity - the diversity of the natural parts of our planet that aren’t alive. The rocks, soils, sediments, landforms, and hydrological features, for example, and the processes that create and change these and other non-living features. Geodiversity isn’t just the stuff we see on the land. It’s underwater too. Let’s take a peek at just five spectacular undersea features that make up some of our World’s geodiversity.
Community science project Competitive Angling as a Scientific Tool (CAST) could provide a unique insight into the distribution, life stages and habitat preferences of data-poor fisheries.
62% of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) designated to protect rare migratory fish species are outside of their core habitats, according to a new modelling study.
It’s World Bee Day! Bees are famous for their pollination, but did you know that there are many other pollinators? Some even live in the sea.
Palaeontologists believe the teeth may have been used for defence, competitive fighting, or as digging tools
Scientists have shown for the first time that juvenile great white sharks gather in nearshore waters up to 10 meters deep with temperatures between 16 and 22 °C – a very different habitat from that of adults. These preferences may optimize their growth and minimize the risk of predation. These results can inform conservation efforts and help avoid unwanted encounters with swimmers.
Need support with your ocean communications?
This World Penguin Day we take a look at the Galapagos Penguin - arguably the loneliest penguins in the world.