What I do

I'm a recent Chemistry graduate aspiring to work in marine science, focusing on trace element chemistry, marine pollutants, and benthic geochemistry, while using science communication to make research accessible.

What I can bring

My strength lies in translating complex research into actionable insights and bringing diverse stakeholders together.

Why GOCI

I believe protecting our oceans begins by connecting knowledge across science, policy, and communities. GOCI's interdisciplinary network offers the ideal platform to amplify regional and Indigenous voices alongside scientific evidence I hope to build meaningful collaborations, learn from global experts, and help make ocean knowledge more inclusive, accessible, and impactful across regions.

What I do

I’m a PhD candidate at the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University, India. My research interests are Glacier science and governance, environmental politics in India (focus on Himalaya), and focus on intersection of ice and politics.

What I can bring

I would contribute the ways to understand natural and engineering science concepts from a social science and policy making perspective. Since both oceans and cryosphere are domains of natural sciences so far and it is the most authoritative form of knowledge used in making policies, we need ways to understand it. This not only means simplifying it into citizen science but also injecting social science and humanities into natural science production.

Why GOCI

GOCI has a very promising mandate. It gains to work at the intersection of climate, oceans and the cryosphere as well as state, science and society. This is what makes it most interesting to me. We need more understanding of how things are at this intersection and there is no other platform that has captured this. I am looking forward to seeing how the project pans out, to learn, and engage with interested and like-minded peers along the way.

What I do

I am a Research Associate (Postdoc) at the Indian Institute of Science, working on climate governance, environmental security, and non-traditional security threats. My research so far has focused on regional perspectives on the Himalayas, the Arctic, and the Indo-Pacific through the lens of International Relations.

What I can bring

As a researcher, I can contribute through lectures, research support, policy translation, and stakeholder engagement. I can also help translate academic research into accessible formats for wider audiences, including students, practitioners, policymakers, and communities.

Why GOCI

I am interested in the Global Ocean and Cryosphere Initiative because it connects ocean and mountain ecosystems; two deeply interlinked spaces that are central to climate resilience, sustainability, and environmental security. GOCI offers a valuable platform for engaging diverse stakeholders, contributing to research and policy outputs, and supporting ocean literacy through dialogue, communication, and public engagement.

What I gain

I hope to gain grounded perspectives on ocean governance, especially how it is understood and experienced by people and communities directly connected to ocean and cryosphere systems. This would help me better understand how global climate and ocean governance debates are perceived at local and regional levels.

What I do

I am currently a Researcher at the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), a premier naval think tank. I hold two master's degrees; one in South Asian Studies and another in Journalism and Mass Communication. My research focuses on maritime affairs, with particular interests in green shipping, maritime connectivity, maritime consciousness, climate change, and the blue economy.

Why GOCI

As countries pursue economic growth and the goal of becoming developed nations, the environmental costs of development are often overlooked. GOCI provides a unique platform to raise awareness about the consequences of these actions, highlight their impact on the climate, and encourage sustainable solutions for the future. The network brings together young scholars from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, creating an excellent opportunity to engage with different communities and spread awareness about climate change and other pressing environmental challenges. I believe that collaborative learning and interdisciplinary dialogue can help drive meaningful action toward a more sustainable future.

What I bring

I currently serve as the Regional Language (Tamil) Coordinator, where I translate research outputs and documentation into Tamil to make knowledge more accessible to a wider audience. In addition, I would like to contribute my public speaking and communication skills to simplify complex topics and make them more engaging for diverse audiences. With my strong background in maritime studies, I also hope to promote greater awareness of maritime issues, their relevance to climate change, and their significance for our collective future.

What I gain

Through this network, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the cryosphere and the Third Pole region by learning from experts and practitioners working in these fields. I also look forward to building meaningful collaborations with individuals who share similar interests in climate research. More importantly, I aspire to contribute to discussions on ocean health, the resilience of coastal communities, and the livelihoods of indigenous and local populations affected by climate change.

What I do

I’m an Assistant Professor of Defence and Strategic Studies where Post graduated in the same Discipline also co-working as a Research Intern in C.A.R.c.E Think Tank. My work focuses on looking at how global politics, national security, and environmental changes like climate shift overlap and impact regional stability.

Why GOCI

I want to join GOCI because environmental changes in our oceans and frozen regions are no longer just ecological issues they directly impact global security and human safety. GOCI provides the perfect platform to understand these changes deeply and connect with them.

What I bring

I am currently contributing to the network as a regional language translator for Tamil. This allows me to bridge the gap between complex global research and local communities, making crucial environmental knowledge accessible to a wider audience.

What I gain

I hope to gain a deeper, practical understanding of ocean and cryosphere changes from top experts. I also look forward to networking with peers from different fields, which will help me look at security and environmental challenges from entirely new perspectives.

What I do

Project Scientist at INCOIS (MoES, India) under the Deep Ocean Mission, working on autonomous ocean observing systems, including Slocum gliders, Argo floats, and oceanographic field operations.

Why GOCI

To contribute operational experience in ocean observations, collaborate internationally, and support advancements in autonomous ocean technologies and sustained ocean monitoring.

What I bring

Hands-on experience in autonomous underwater glider operations, oceanographic expeditions, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

What I gain

Cross-disciplinary collaborations, knowledge exchange on emerging ocean technologies, and opportunities to contribute to global ocean observing initiatives.

What I do

I am currently working as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. My research focuses on how carbon and nitrogen move through the marine ecosystems and how their cycles may be influenced by the changing climate. I study these processes by collecting and analyzing observations from marine environments to better understand how our oceans are changing.

Why GOCI

I have always been passionate about science communication and see this as a great opportunity to engage with people beyond the research community. Additionally, I also look forward to connecting with peole who are also studying oceans but come from diverse backgrounds.

What I bring

Having worked in oceanography for a few years now, I would be happy to support students and early-career researchers by sharing my experiences and helping them explore opportunities in marine science.

What I gain

I am interested in learning new approaches to science communication and broaden my perspective of the field by interacting with researchers from different disciplines and career stages.

What I do

I’m a PhD Research Scholar in Anthropology at Sikkim University, working on environmental vulnerability, nutrition, health, and community resilience. I have also worked with the Anthropological Survey of India, University of Kiel and Potsdam, Berlin for bioinformatics and in network science.

Why GOCI

To contribute a social science perspective to ocean and cryosphere research by understanding how environmental change affects communities, livelihoods, health, and resilience. I am particularly interested in connecting scientific research with local knowledge and community action.

What I bring

Interdisciplinary research combining anthropology, fieldwork, social network analysis, quantitative data analysis, and science communication to make complex environmental issues more accessible.

What I gain

Opportunities for collaboration across disciplines, learning from ocean and polar researchers, and contributing to community-centered approaches for climate and environmental action.

What I do

I’m a PhD candidate at the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University, India. My research interests are Glacier science and governance, environmental politics in India (focus on Himalaya), and focus on intersection of ice and politics.

What I can bring

I would contribute the ways to understand natural and engineering science concepts from a social science and policy making perspective. Since both oceans and cryosphere are domains of natural sciences so far and it is the most authoritative form of knowledge used in making policies, we need ways to understand it. This not only means simplifying it into citizen science but also injecting social science and humanities into natural science production.

Why GOCI

GOCI has a very promising mandate. It gains to work at the intersection of climate, oceans and the cryosphere as well as state, science and society. This is what makes it most interesting to me. We need more understanding of how things are at this intersection and there is no other platform that has captured this. I am looking forward to seeing how the project pans out, to learn, and engage with interested and like-minded peers along the way.

What I do

I hold an MSc in International Social and Public Policy from LSE. My focus is on disaster resilience and education reform, with earlier research on ocean governance and UK Marine Protected Areas.

Why GOCI

SDG 14, Life Below Water, is one of the least funded of all the global goals, even though oceans form the bedrock of our ecosystems, and the cryosphere is understood even less. GOCI is an opportunity to redirect awareness and research toward this. What matters most to me is that GOCI builds from the bottom up, connecting young scholars and coastal communities, because the message from high-level treaties and agreements on the ocean so often gets diluted by the time it reaches the ground.

What I bring

Digital storytelling for climate communication, which matters all the more at a time when the basic facts of climate change are still being contested. I'd like to amplify stories from the coast in accessible formats, and help develop educational resources and creative workshops.

What I gain

More grounded knowledge of marine science, and a clearer sense of how ocean treaties and current practices actually play out for ocean health, coastal populations and livelihoods.

What I do

International Studies graduate with a focus on maritime affairs, the Indo-Pacific, and Polar and ocean governance. I work at the intersection of research and strategic communication, translating complex ideas into accessible content and fostering meaningful engagement.

Why GOCI

I believe ocean and cryosphere conversations should extend beyond scientific and policy circles. GOCI offers a unique platform to connect researchers, social scientists, artists, and communities, making knowledge more inclusive, collaborative, and impactful.

What I bring

Bridging research and public engagement through strategic communication, storytelling, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

What I gain

Opportunities to learn from diverse disciplines, collaborate on meaningful initiatives, and contribute to a community that is shaping more inclusive approaches to ocean and cryosphere governance.

What I do

Undergraduate student of History, Economics and Political Science at Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru. Alongside my academic and research work on climate change and public policy, I enjoy visual storytelling through art, illustration, and digital content creation.

Why GOCI

I believe science becomes far more impactful when it is accessible and engaging. I am excited by GOCI's vision of bringing together science, communication, and creativity to build greater public awareness about oceans and marine ecosystems.

What I bring

Creative science communication through illustrations, animations/visual storytelling.

What I gain

The opportunity to collaborate with scientists, communicators, and artists, strengthen my science communication skills.

What I do

Full stack engineer with over 13 years of experience in building interactive systems

Why GOCI

I have always loved oceans and would love to contribute to the initiative.

What I bring

I'm here for any technical support the team needs.

What I gain

As a techie, this is a contribution to the society and to spread knowledge.

What I do

Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in International Relations at St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. I am interested in international affairs, public policy, and environmental sustainability. Alongside my academics, I enjoy creative design, basic Canva designing and doodling.

Why GOCI

As I am interested in environmental sustainability, I believe that protecting our ocean is essential for sustainable future and better environment for all the life forms. I also admire GOCI's vision in advancing ocean conservation and environmental sustainability by bringing together science, policy, and communities.

What I bring

Organization and coordination skills, along with basic Canva design and creative visual content creation to support outreach.

What I gain

I hope to learn more about ocean conservation, climate science, and science communication while collaborating with experts and like-minded individuals. I also look forward to developing my professional and creative skills through the network.

What I do

Final-year BA student in International Relations, Public Policy and Journalism at St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru.

Why GOCI

What interests me most about GOCI is its effort to bring together climate, oceans, the cryosphere, policy and society together. GOCI sounded fun. I am excited to learn from others in the network and better understand how science and public engagement can work together to address the challenges.

What I bring

I enjoy telling stories through videos and visual content, and I would like to use those skills to make ocean and climate-related topics more easier to understand. I can also contribute through website design, Tamil translation and community outreach as well.

What I do

I am currently a Researcher at the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), a premier naval think tank. I hold two master's degrees; one in South Asian Studies and another in Journalism and Mass Communication. My research focuses on maritime affairs, with particular interests in green shipping, maritime connectivity, maritime consciousness, climate change, and the blue economy.

Why GOCI

As countries pursue economic growth and the goal of becoming developed nations, the environmental costs of development are often overlooked. GOCI provides a unique platform to raise awareness about the consequences of these actions, highlight their impact on the climate, and encourage sustainable solutions for the future. The network brings together young scholars from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, creating an excellent opportunity to engage with different communities and spread awareness about climate change and other pressing environmental challenges. I believe that collaborative learning and interdisciplinary dialogue can help drive meaningful action toward a more sustainable future.

What I bring

I currently serve as the Regional Language (Tamil) Coordinator, where I translate research outputs and documentation into Tamil to make knowledge more accessible to a wider audience. In addition, I would like to contribute my public speaking and communication skills to simplify complex topics and make them more engaging for diverse audiences. With my strong background in maritime studies, I also hope to promote greater awareness of maritime issues, their relevance to climate change, and their significance for our collective future.

What I gain

Through this network, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the cryosphere and the Third Pole region by learning from experts and practitioners working in these fields. I also look forward to building meaningful collaborations with individuals who share similar interests in climate research. More importantly, I aspire to contribute to discussions on ocean health, the resilience of coastal communities, and the livelihoods of indigenous and local populations affected by climate change.

What I do

I am a Music Director active in the Telugu film industry (TFI) with composition and arrangement credits on two feature films. Over the past two years I have also been working in the Tamil film industry (Kollywood). I hold a music degree from Muzik Lounge Chennai and operate Intune.wavstudios, where we provide end-to-end composition, arrangement, and production services to clients worldwide.

Why GOCI

I’ve always sought opportunities to explore creative and experimental music beyond the scope of film scoring. While I respect film music, I believe it represents only one facet of the broader musical landscape. When Padmashree introduced me to GOCI, I was immediately inspired by its creative vision and commitment to innovation. That excitement led me to join GOCI, where I can pursue more adventurous, boundary‑pushing projects and enlighten the people with my music.

What I bring

I would like to contribute some new sounds and soothing musical notes that connect human emotions to the Ocean’s sound. We will produce music for GOCI.

What I do

I recently completed my Master's in International Studies at Stella Maris College, Chennai. During my studies, I was introduced to global governance, environmental policy, and sustainable development. Joining GOCI is an opportunity for me to better understand the science behind ocean and cryosphere issues while exploring how research can be communicated in a way that's engaging and accessible.

Why GOCI

My academic background focused largely on the policy aspects of environmental issues, but I wanted to go beyond that and learn more about the science itself. What drew me to GOCI is its interdisciplinary approach and the chance to learn from scientists, researchers, communicators, and fellow scholars while contributing in a meaningful way.

What I bring

I enjoy simplifying complex ideas and presenting them in a way that's easy to understand. I also value collaboration and am always open to learning from people with different perspectives.

What I gain

I hope to deepen my understanding of ocean and cryosphere science, marine governance, and public engagement. I'm also looking forward to learning from experts and peers, building meaningful connections, and growing both personally and professionally through this community.

What I do

I am a poet and the founder of Dillipoetry—a literary platform known for its thematic and experimental poetry walks, workshops, and training programs. I also serve as the Creative Head at Youth Alliance, where I design and facilitate transformational leadership programs for young social leaders from across the country. With over a decade of experience in the social development sector, I have worked across a wide range of social issues.

Why GOCI

Definitely because of the multidimensional approach to respond to climate emergency — what spoke the most to me — is the attempt to make science-policy-society dialogue more accessible, and rich. To break through the silos and bring together stakeholders who can, over time, build capacity to bring collective change.

What I bring

In a global situation where the unraveling ecological emergency entwined with a set of overlapping crises, damaging any prospect of human existence, poetry with its hold at the margins, offers a promise, or at least a possibility. But how does one approach poetry accessibly? Much of my recent work has gone in designing pedagogies and melding as many themes, causes and contexts with poetry so as to make it amorphous and embodied. I would like write, publish and design programs to bring ocean and cryosphere literacy to people through arts, and literature.

What I gain

A deep dive into the subject of Ocean and Cryosphere seen from the lens of climate resilience, sustainability and impact — also an exceptionally diverse network of individuals working at rich and fascinating intersections.

What I do

I’m an Assistant Professor of Defence and Strategic Studies where Post graduated in the same Discipline also co-working as a Research Intern in C.A.R.c.E Think Tank. My work focuses on looking at how global politics, national security, and environmental changes like climate shift overlap and impact regional stability.

Why GOCI

I want to join GOCI because environmental changes in our oceans and frozen regions are no longer just ecological issues they directly impact global security and human safety. GOCI provides the perfect platform to understand these changes deeply and connect with them.

What I bring

I am currently contributing to the network as a regional language translator for Tamil. This allows me to bridge the gap between complex global research and local communities, making crucial environmental knowledge accessible to a wider audience.

What I gain

I hope to gain a deeper, practical understanding of ocean and cryosphere changes from top experts. I also look forward to networking with peers from different fields, which will help me look at security and environmental challenges from entirely new perspectives.

What I do

Student pursuing an MSc in International Social and Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Key modules include climate policy, social security, and education policy reform.

Why GOCI

The cryosphere is rapidly changing due to anthropogenic climate change, the effects of which are not limited to geographical and environmental factors but also imminent policy effects affecting those at the grassroots most intensely. GOCI given an opportunity to connect with other passionate individuals to discuss and initiate local solutions to local problems under the umbrella of global standards.

What I bring

Ability to translate science to actionable policy frameworks. This is a key bridge for active environment and climate-centric research as well as systemic advocacy especially among the youth.

What I gain

Better understanding of localised challenges through the wide network of fellow students and enthusiasts, experts, and researchers; equipping myself with novel niches through the network and participating in ocean climate advocacy.

What I do

I am currently working as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. My research focuses on how carbon and nitrogen move through the marine ecosystems and how their cycles may be influenced by the changing climate. I study these processes by collecting and analyzing observations from marine environments to better understand how our oceans are changing.

Why GOCI

I have always been passionate about science communication and see this as a great opportunity to engage with people beyond the research community. Additionally, I also look forward to connecting with peole who are also studying oceans but come from diverse backgrounds.

What I bring

Having worked in oceanography for a few years now, I would be happy to support students and early-career researchers by sharing my experiences and helping them explore opportunities in marine science.

What I gain

I am interested in learning new approaches to science communication and broaden my perspective of the field by interacting with researchers from different disciplines and career stages.

What I do

I’m an undergraduate scholar in International Relations, Public Policy and Journalism at St. Joseph’s University.

Why GOCI

I am interested in understanding how ocean conservation can be made more accessible through awareness, storytelling and public engagement. For me, GOCI is a meaningful platform to learn from people working in ocean science while also contributing to conversations around marine life, conservation and the need to protect ocean ecosystems.

What I bring

I would like to contribute through writing, research, social media, creative communication and developing simple educational material such as teaching resources, awareness content or book style explainers.

What I gain

I hope to gain a better understanding of ocean conservation, marine life and the different ways communities, researchers and communicators can work together to protect the oceans. I also look forward to building a network of like minded individuals and learning how to create stronger awareness material for wider audiences.

What I do

Research Coordinator at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru. My research focuses on common-pool resource (CPR) governance, coastal and island systems, climate adaptation, and community-centred natural resource governance, with over eight years of experience working across South India and the Lakshadweep Islands.

Why GOCI

GOCI's vision of connecting science, policy, and society strongly resonates with me. Oceans and coastal systems are often discussed through natural science lenses, while governance, law, culture, and community knowledge receive comparatively less attention. I am excited by the initiative's commitment to making ocean knowledge accessible through local languages, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, while creating greater visibility for early-career researchers.

What I bring

Bringing social science perspectives to ocean governance through research on customary institutions, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), participatory mapping, and rights-based approaches. I have also served as a visiting faculty member at the National Law School of India University, where I co-taught a course on ocean governance that bridged law, policy, and community perspectives.

What I gain

I look forward to learning from colleagues working across ocean and coastal systems, building interdisciplinary collaborations, and contributing to initiatives that strengthen just and sustainable ocean governance across the Indian Ocean region.

What I do

I’m a PhD candidate at the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University, India. My research interests are Glacier science and governance, environmental politics in India (focus on Himalaya), and focus on intersection of ice and politics.

What I can bring

I would contribute the ways to understand natural and engineering science concepts from a social science and policy making perspective. Since both oceans and cryosphere are domains of natural sciences so far and it is the most authoritative form of knowledge used in making policies, we need ways to understand it. This not only means simplifying it into citizen science but also injecting social science and humanities into natural science production.

Why GOCI

GOCI has a very promising mandate. It gains to work at the intersection of climate, oceans and the cryosphere as well as state, science and society. This is what makes it most interesting to me. We need more understanding of how things are at this intersection and there is no other platform that has captured this. I am looking forward to seeing how the project pans out, to learn, and engage with interested and like-minded peers along the way.

What I do

I hold an MSc in International Social and Public Policy from LSE. My focus is on disaster resilience and education reform, with earlier research on ocean governance and UK Marine Protected Areas.

Why GOCI

SDG 14, Life Below Water, is one of the least funded of all the global goals, even though oceans form the bedrock of our ecosystems, and the cryosphere is understood even less. GOCI is an opportunity to redirect awareness and research toward this. What matters most to me is that GOCI builds from the bottom up, connecting young scholars and coastal communities, because the message from high-level treaties and agreements on the ocean so often gets diluted by the time it reaches the ground.

What I bring

Digital storytelling for climate communication, which matters all the more at a time when the basic facts of climate change are still being contested. I'd like to amplify stories from the coast in accessible formats, and help develop educational resources and creative workshops.

What I gain

More grounded knowledge of marine science, and a clearer sense of how ocean treaties and current practices actually play out for ocean health, coastal populations and livelihoods.

What I do

I am currently a Researcher at the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), a premier naval think tank. I hold two master's degrees; one in South Asian Studies and another in Journalism and Mass Communication. My research focuses on maritime affairs, with particular interests in green shipping, maritime connectivity, maritime consciousness, climate change, and the blue economy.

Why GOCI

As countries pursue economic growth and the goal of becoming developed nations, the environmental costs of development are often overlooked. GOCI provides a unique platform to raise awareness about the consequences of these actions, highlight their impact on the climate, and encourage sustainable solutions for the future. The network brings together young scholars from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, creating an excellent opportunity to engage with different communities and spread awareness about climate change and other pressing environmental challenges. I believe that collaborative learning and interdisciplinary dialogue can help drive meaningful action toward a more sustainable future.

What I bring

I currently serve as the Regional Language (Tamil) Coordinator, where I translate research outputs and documentation into Tamil to make knowledge more accessible to a wider audience. In addition, I would like to contribute my public speaking and communication skills to simplify complex topics and make them more engaging for diverse audiences. With my strong background in maritime studies, I also hope to promote greater awareness of maritime issues, their relevance to climate change, and their significance for our collective future.

What I gain

Through this network, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the cryosphere and the Third Pole region by learning from experts and practitioners working in these fields. I also look forward to building meaningful collaborations with individuals who share similar interests in climate research. More importantly, I aspire to contribute to discussions on ocean health, the resilience of coastal communities, and the livelihoods of indigenous and local populations affected by climate change.

What I do

Project Scientist at INCOIS (MoES, India) under the Deep Ocean Mission, working on autonomous ocean observing systems, including Slocum gliders, Argo floats, and oceanographic field operations.

Why GOCI

To contribute operational experience in ocean observations, collaborate internationally, and support advancements in autonomous ocean technologies and sustained ocean monitoring.

What I bring

Hands-on experience in autonomous underwater glider operations, oceanographic expeditions, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

What I gain

Cross-disciplinary collaborations, knowledge exchange on emerging ocean technologies, and opportunities to contribute to global ocean observing initiatives.

What I do

I’m a PhD Research Scholar in Anthropology at Sikkim University, working on environmental vulnerability, nutrition, health, and community resilience. I have also worked with the Anthropological Survey of India, University of Kiel and Potsdam, Berlin for bioinformatics and in network science.

Why GOCI

To contribute a social science perspective to ocean and cryosphere research by understanding how environmental change affects communities, livelihoods, health, and resilience. I am particularly interested in connecting scientific research with local knowledge and community action.

What I bring

Interdisciplinary research combining anthropology, fieldwork, social network analysis, quantitative data analysis, and science communication to make complex environmental issues more accessible.

What I gain

Opportunities for collaboration across disciplines, learning from ocean and polar researchers, and contributing to community-centered approaches for climate and environmental action.