Students diving deep into Australia's ocean future

University
The University of Western Australia
Awards category
The Future Builder Award
A heart icon with a navy blue border.
Vote Now
A navy blue coloured in heart icon.
1
Votes:
share

Sign up to vote

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Project overview
Testimonials
Media/Press
Vote now

Protecting Australia's oceans will require a new generation of innovators willing to look beyond traditional horizons.

The University of Western Australia's Ocean Innovation minor brings together students from diverse disciplines to help solve some of the biggest challenges facing our oceans.

Students don't learn within disciplinary silos. They work across science, engineering,business, humanities and policy to tackle real-world ocean challenges alongsideresearchers, government agencies, environmental organisations and industryinnovators. Together, they explore solutions ranging from marine conservation and sustainable seafood production to offshore renewable energy and emerging Blue Economy industries.

The program has grown rapidly, from just 15 students in 2022 to more than 220 in2025, with women making up around 75 per cent of participants.

By helping students turn ocean challenges into practical solutions, the program isdeveloping the people who will help shape Australia's Blue Economy and protectour oceans for generations to come.

Ocean Innovation Minor students engaging with the founder of OceanHex to explore how innovative nature-tech can transform conventional coastal infrastructure into living, regenerative assets through ecological enhancement, autonomous monitoring and data-driven decision-making. Names: UWA Ocean Innovation Minor students Photo credit: Dr Arnold van Rooijen

Ocean Innovation Minor students experiencing a state-of-the-art ship simulator and exploring how advanced simulation supports pilot training and port design, while discovering innovation and career pathways in ocean engineering. Names: Emma Louer, Olivia Randing Photo credit: Dr Jana Orszaghova

Ocean Innovation Minor students exchanging ideas and perspectives as they tackle real-world ocean challenges through collaborative learning. Names: Tomine Asting, Erin Griffin, Amelie Russell, Chloe Climie Photo credit: Jarryd Gardner

Ocean Innovation Minor students exploring the role of mangrove forests in coastal protection through hands-on experiments in UWA’s Coastal and Offshore Research Laboratory, connecting fundamental science with nature-based solutions to real-world coastal challenges. Names: Dr Diana Vargas Ortega, Dr Jana Orszaghova, Alex Donovan, Olivia Randing, Brooke Attwood, Jesadin Ralph, Candice Peters, Tahlia Kensitt, Nicolas Bassi. Photo credit: Dr Alex Atkinson

Ocean Innovation Minor students building and deploying model offshore wind turbines while exchanging ideas with local wind energy developers, connecting hands-on experimentation with real-world industry expertise. Names: UWA Ocean Innovation Minor students Photo credit: Prof Britta Bienen

"This sounds like a great way to test blood glucose levels, particularly for people at work or even children at school where printers may be more readily available. I’ll be one of the first in line for it. I'm yet to hear of someone who enjoys pricking their fingers to check their levels.”

Duncan Reid

Diabetes NSW Ambassador‍

No items found.