Lessons for Transformative Ocean Science from the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) Project

Authors

• Deborah Santos Prado, Federal University of São Paulo
• Ella-Kari Muhl, Stellenbosch University
• Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
• Derek Armitage, University of Waterloo
• Nina Bednaršek, Jožef Stefan Institute
• Stephanie Brodie, University of New South Wales
• Christopher Cvitanovic, University of New South Wales
• John Claydon, FisherFolkFirst, Providenciales
• Sam Dupont, University of Gothenburg
• Karen Evans, University of Tasmania
• Alistar Hobday, University of Tasmania
• Eileen Hofmann, Old Dominion UniversityFollow
• Raleigh Hood, University of Maryland
• Laura Kaikkonen, University of Helsinki
• Dongyan Liu, East China Normal University
• Jessica Melbourne-Thomas, CSIRO Environment
• Franz Mueter, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
• Eugene Murphy, British Antarctic Survey
• Prateep Kumar Nayak, University of Waterloo
• Alice Newton, University of Algarve
• Heidi Pethybridge, CSIRO Environment
• Carol Robinson, University of East Anglia
• Samiya Selim, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
• Rowan Trebilco, CSIRO Environment
• Micaela Trimble, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
• Fang Zuo, East China Normal University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

DOI

10.1093/icesjms/fsag039

Publication Title

ICES Journal of Marine Science

Volume

83

Issue

4

Pages

fsag039

Abstract

This paper synthesizes the key contributions and lessons learned from Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR), a large-scale global research project aimed at fostering ocean sustainability under global change for the benefit of society. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development has catalyzed a renewed focus on the importance of transforming ocean science. IMBeR’s global activity over the past decade has focused on promoting transformative science by generating, mobilizing, and communicating the knowledge needed to support ocean governance. Key contributions from IMBeR participants include quantifying and comparing historic and present structure and functioning of linked ocean and human systems, advancing interdisciplinarity in ocean science, establishing a strong global network that has supported long-term collaboration, capacity building, and career development for participants. In synthesizing IMBeR contributions, we also highlight several challenges identified by the IMBeR community in developing and implementing this global research initiative. These include an uncertain and rapidly changing (and often limited) funding landscape, the reliance on significant additional workload on researchers to catalyze novel science initiatives, and the structural complexity of global networks that can at times impede rapid responses to new questions, opportunities, and overall adaptability. Opportunities for transformative ocean science include developing more resilient and equitable funding models, fostering agile, inclusive, and transdisciplinary collaborations, and strengthening the science–policy interface. This synthesis is intended to help inform and guide large-scale ocean research efforts and contribute to ongoing global initiatives to foster transformative science that links people and oceans for healthy and sustainable futures.

Rights

© The Authors 2026.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4,0 International (CC BY 4.0) License, which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Data Availability

Article states: "Data available on request."

Original Publication Citation

Prado, D. S., Muhl, E. K., Strand, M., Armitage, D., Bednarsek, N., Brodie, S., Cvitanovic, C., Claydon, J., Dupont, S., Evans, K., Hobday, A., Hofmann, E., Hood, R., Kaikkonen, L., Liu, D. Y., Melbourne-Thomas, J., Mueter, F., Murphy, E., Nayak, P. K.,…Zuo, F. (2026). Lessons for transformative ocean science from the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) project. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 83(4), Article fsag039. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsag039

Repository Citation

Prado, Deborah Santos; Muhl, Ella-Kari; Strand, Mia; Armitage, Derek; Bednaršek, Nina; Brodie, Stephanie; Cvitanovic, Christopher; Claydon, John; Dupont, Sam; Evans, Karen; Hobday, Alistar; Hofmann, Eileen; Hood, Raleigh; Kaikkonen, Laura; Liu, Dongyan; Melbourne-Thomas, Jessica; Mueter, Franz; Murphy, Eugene; Nayak, Prateep Kumar; Newton, Alice; Pethybridge, Heidi; Robinson, Carol; Selim, Samiya; Trebilco, Rowan; Trimble, Micaela; and Zuo, Fang, "Lessons for Transformative Ocean Science from the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) Project" (2026). CCPO Publications. 417.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/ccpo_pubs/417

ORCID

0000-0001-6710-4371 (Hofmann)