Reconsidering our relationship with the ocean

Although oceanographic and environmental sciences have traditionally taken centre stage in the study of marine environments, contemporary challenges – governance of maritime areas, climate-related migration, heritage protection of the ocean, cultural representations of the sea – call for an interdisciplinary approach.

In this context, the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme is launching an ambitious ‘Oceans’ programme in 2025, designed to strengthen the presence of the humanities and social sciences in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the oceans and develop sustainable solutions for conservation and governance.

The ocean: a vital regulator and a changing environment

Thanks to considerable advances in oceanography, climatology and marine biology, we now know that the ocean, which covers 71% of the Earth's surface and represents 99% of the biosphere's volume, produces half of the oxygen we breathe and absorbs nearly a third of atmospheric CO2. A veritable carbon reservoir and sanctuary for biodiversity, it is also an essential climate regulator. Today, reports from IPBES, the IPCC and the United Nations are unequivocal: the changes underway, which are irreversible in the short term, are profoundly transforming marine ecosystems and will disrupt our societies, whether coastal, island or continental. These scientific findings highlight the urgent need for a change in mindset. Understanding the ocean can no longer be the sole preserve of fundamental science: we must also examine the human, political and cultural interactions that are shaping its transformation.

The ocean, a socio-ecosystem in the Anthropocene era

The ocean is a complex socio-ecosystem at the heart of major societal issues: ecological transition, environmental justice, governance of common resources and adaptation to climate change. Over the past twenty years, an ‘oceanic turn’ has been taking shape in research. Far from being thought of as a mere void between continents, the ocean is now seen as a full-fledged actor in human history and cultures. This dynamic is based on growing interdisciplinarity—from maritime history to anthropology, literature and geography—and on increased attention to contemporary challenges such as climate change and the degradation of marine environments. This movement has given rise to the Blue Humanities, which explore the relationship between humanity and the ocean by integrating philosophy, history, ecology and cultural studies.

While these developments reflect a growing interest in ocean issues in the humanities and social sciences, these disciplines remain under-represented in debates on the future of the ocean. It is within this perspective that the FMSH is launching its ‘Oceans’ programme, which aims to support innovative, international and multidisciplinary projects, favouring collaborations with the fundamental sciences as much as possible, in order to shed light on the complex interactions between societies and marine environments in the Anthropocene era.

‘Oceans’ programme: three areas for action

Launched in 2025, the multi-year ‘Oceans’ programme is a space for dialogue, co-construction and dissemination of knowledge that mobilises the wealth of the humanities and social sciences in the service of critical, committed and interdisciplinary knowledge.

This programmatic vision finds concrete expression in the Foundation's international commitment. Accredited by the United Nations as a stakeholder in its 3rd Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), the FMSH presented a manifesto highlighting the essential contribution of the humanities and social sciences to achieving Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda: conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources. The guidelines set out in this manifesto directly inform the structure of the ‘Oceans’ programme, which will focus on three priority areas:

• funding interdisciplinary research by building bridges between the humanities, social sciences, life sciences and environmental sciences to achieve a comprehensive understanding of ocean systems
• building a dynamic network bringing together researchers, economic actors, public decision-makers and civil society to develop concrete solutions
• disseminating and promoting knowledge, making it accessible to decision-makers and the general public alike, in order to transform our relationship with the ocean

With this programme, the FMSH brings together the intellectual legacy of Fernand Braudel, its founder, historian and author of The Mediterranean, with current research on the oceans. The challenge? To observe the ocean in its entirety, from its historical depths to its most contemporary shores.

‘What is the Mediterranean?’ wondered Fernand Braudel. "A thousand things at once, not one landscape, but countless landscapes, not one sea, but a succession of seas, not one civilisation, but civilisations piled one on top of the other. [...] All this because the Mediterranean is a very old crossroads. For thousands of years, everything has converged on it, blurring and enriching its history: people, animals, cars, goods, ships, ideas, religions, ways of life."

This systemic and pluralistic vision now guides the ‘Oceans’ programme. Like Fernand Braudel for the Mediterranean, the FMSH considers the ocean not as a single object, but as a complex world system where human histories, natural dynamics, economic issues and environmental challenges converge.

Oceans: social worlds, living worlds

A call for projects to support research in the humanities and social sciences

In March 2025, the FMSH launched its first international call for projects as part of the ‘Oceans’ programme, with the aim of supporting research teams and networks in the humanities and social sciences. This call aims to shed light on the human dynamics that are transforming maritime spaces and to encourage the development of sustainable and inclusive solutions. Particular attention was paid to maritime violence – piracy, trafficking, conflicts, pollution and overexploitation – and its human and environmental impacts.

Oceans: shared heritage, shared challenges

A series of events to explore new avenues for ocean conservation

At the same time, the FMSH launched a series of meetings bringing together researchers, public actors and civil society to discuss ocean conservation and governance. Centred around the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (Nice, June 2025), this series provided an opportunity to combine scientific knowledge and field experience in order to rethink the relationship between human societies and marine environments.

These two initiatives were carried out with the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Paris.

Article published in the third issue of the FMSH Journal.