You, Me & HIFMB - Stories of Science and the Sea

Social Science Matters 01 - What is Social Science and Marine Social Science?

Episode overview
This episode tackles the fundamental question: What is social science, and why does it matter for marine research? We first (try to) define social science, discussing the various disciplines which constitute it, and briefly introduce the methods and approaches that will be discussed further, later in the series. We next discuss marine social science, its special and important place in the marine sciences more broadly, and how it can help us tackle important questions that the natural sciences can’t do alone. We furthermore outline the importance, then, of interdisciplinary work, drawing also on examples of our own projects.
 
You can tag us on social media #SocialScienceMatters.
 
Supporting readings
These readings outline marine social science and set out its ‘manifesto’. They also show the most recent research directions of the marine social sciences:
Bavinck, M., & Verrips, J. (2020). Manifesto for the marine social sciences. Maritime Studies, 19(2), 121-123. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40152-020-00179-x
Bennett, N. J. (2019). Marine social science for the peopled seas. Coastal Management, 47(2), 244-252. https://doi.org/10.1080/08920753.2019.1564958
McKinley, E., Acott, T., & Yates, K. L. (2020). Marine social sciences: Looking towards a sustainable future. Environmental Science & Policy, 108, 85-92 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.03.015
Spalding, A. K., & McKinley, E. (2024). The state of marine social science: Yesterday, today, and into the future. Annual Review of Marine Science, 17 https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-marine-121422-015345
 
There is a light introduction to methods mentioned in the podcast, in this textbook, and associated ‘study’ website:
Peters, K. (2017). Your Human Geography Dissertation: Designing, Doing, Delivering. SAGE: London (Chapters 7 and 8) and online: https://study.sagepub.com/yourhumangeography/student-resources/chapter-7/take-home-messages
 
Supporting websites
Do you want to know more about social science and what it is? These websites may help (we are not responsible for external content)
What is social science?
See this link from the Academy of Social Science: https://acss.org.uk/what-is-social-science/
See this link from UK Research and Innovation: https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/esrc/what-is-social-science/social-science-disciplines/
 
Examples
In the podcast we provided 2 examples of how social science matters to marine research.
You can read about Jan’s example here: Dajka JC, Verstraeten A, Snow B, Levi S, Menendez V, Smith M, Clark B, Rönn L, Vargas A, Peters K, Lombard M, Hillebrand H (In Review) Marine biodiversity change impacts relational values: expert survey shows policy mismatch; npj Ocean Sustainability
You can read about Kim’s example here: Savitzky, S., Peters, K. and Sammler, K.G. (2025) ‘Bordering Marine Belonging: The Meanings, Mobilities and Materialities of Bioinvasion’, in Peters K and Turner J (eds). Ocean Governance (Beyond) Borders. Palgrave: Basingstoke, pp. 173-196 https://link.springer.com/book/9783031713217 (chapter 8 on invasive species research, Open Access content)
 
In the podcast we mentioned a blog that discusses the formulation of a biodiversity question. You can read more about it here: https://hifmb.de/science-communication/
 
Other podcasts and videos
These podcasts have esteemed academics from marine social science disciplines talking about this field of study! (We are not responsible for external content).
 
The Incommon podcast: Interdisciplinarity and the Marine Social Science Network with Emma McKinleyhttps://www.incommonpodcast.org/podcast/002-interdisciplinarity-and-the-marine-social-science-network-with-emma-mckinley/ 
Let's Dive In - Ocean Conversations: Marine Social Science with Yolanda Watershttps://www.listennotes.com/de/podcasts/lets-dive-in-ocean/ep-3-marine-social-science-9HnB7RlpxUT/#google_vignette 
The Incommon podcast: Conservation and social science with Nathan Bennetthttps://www.incommonpodcast.org/podcast/science-and-practice-1-conservation-and-social-science-with-nathan-bennett/ 
National Oceanographic Centre – Into the Blue Podcast: Socio-Oceanography: Connecting Ocean and Societal Challenges and Impacts Dr Katya Popova and Dr Zoe Jacobshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmDITSswxno 

Social Science Matters - Welcome

Episode overview
This episode welcomes listeners to the podcast "Social Science Matters," which is dedicated to exploring the important world of social science research in the marine environment. In this episode we outline the purpose of the series, which aims to demystify social science methods and make them accessible to marine researchers, practitioners, and anyone interested in the human dimensions of the ocean. We tell listeners what is to come in the series and introduce the ‘shownotes’ – the complimentary materials – which will accompany each podcast, offering a bank of (hopefully!) helpful resources for extending understanding. We hope you enjoy this opening episode and the series to come. This podcast is not about turning you into a social scientist overnight. It's about empowering you to ask better questions, understand complex social issues, and integrate social science insights into your work.
 
You can tag us on social media #SocialScienceMatters.
 
Resources
Supporting readings
This reading aims to provide an introduction to the social sciences, not least for those coming from natural science backgrounds. A must read!
Moon, K., & Blackman, D. (2014). A guide to understanding social science research for natural scientists. Conservation Biology, 28(5), 1167-1177. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12326
These readings make the case for why social science matters to the marine realm! Essential!
Markus, T., Hillebrand, H., Hornidge, A. K., Krause, G., & Schlüter, A. (2018). Disciplinary diversity in marine sciences: the urgent case for an integration of research. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 75(2), 502-509. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsx201
Bennett, N. J., Roth, R., Klain, S. C., Chan, K., Christie, P., Clark, D. A., ... & Wyborn, C. (2017). Conservation social science: Understanding and integrating human dimensions to improve conservation. Biological Conservation, 205, 93-108. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320716305328
Gómez, S., & Köpsel, V. (Eds.). (2022). Transdisciplinary Marine Research: Bridging Science and Society. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003311171 (Open Access content)
Supporting websites
Do you want to see how the marine social sciences are shaping research on marine environments? Check out this website of the Consortium for Marine Research in Germany!
KDM Marine Social Science Group https://www.deutsche-meeresforschung.de/en/strategy/strategy-groups/social-sciences/
Other podcasts
For some general podcasts covering interesting topics across the natural and social marine sciences -- see the links below. We recommend our own series but cannot take responsibility for external content.
https://hifmb.de/news/podcast/ You, Me and HIFMB Stories of Science and the Seas
https://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/seastheday/ Seas the Day, A podcast of the Duke University Marine Lab

Jan-Claas Dajka - Turning the Tables on the Podcast Host

In the new year, Kim Peters surprises podcast host Jan and turns the tables on him. She Interviews him on: what got him to HIFMB, a quick look into Jan's work on marine biodiversity at the science-policy interface, the wonderful people he got to learn from and work with, and even the Olympics 2028!! 
Happy 2024 everyone, enjoy!

Kristin Tietje - (Finally) Full-Time Science Coordinator

Kristin (or Tine) Tietje has not only got a super Northern-German sounding name but also recently got a full-time position as the science coordinator of the Marine Governance Group here at HIFMB. She talks about the long winding road that she took to get here and tells us what it means to coordinate science and, more importantly, scientists - which is why she enjoys her job so much. 

Merdeka Agus Saputra - Tinny Perspective Switcher

Today, we hear from Merdeka, a PhD-student in the former Marine Political Ecology Group that is now part of the Marine Governance Group. He reports on his recent manuscript about tin mining by Indonesian divers and how he switches the perspectives in his writing to highlight topics that are otherwise forgotten about. Merdeka also reflects on what it is like to have children as a PhD student and how much he likes his neighbours in Oldenburg.