Focal Living Labs

The project includes six focal living labs, each focusing on advancing observations of specific Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) through addressing research questions relevant for a specific environmental setting while taking into consideration the entire ocean value chain, from observing system design to policy application. 

Each of the six focal living labs is testing the evolving Blueprint for Integrated Ocean Science in a unique way in their particular research setting. On one hand, they provide continuous input to advance the Blueprint to create new and improved versions of the Blueprint. To this end, the research occurring in focal living labs has been designed to cover a diverse range of EOVs and geographical settings. Each lab will carry out critical research to address existing knowledge gaps on EOVs following the holistic approach promoted by the Blueprint. Every living lab will lead an in-depth co-creative process with relevant stakeholders to test and refine the Blueprint in their specific setting. The aim is to demonstrate advancement towards an operational workflow for a given set of EOVs and applications - a workflow that fully connects all aspects of ocean observations, from review and design to policy application, addressed in an adaptive and co-creative manner.

Click below to learn about each of the focal living labs.