Science and society

Equality and diversity are also innovation. At AZTI we make women’s talent visible and foster STEAM vocations from an early age.

We are part of:

1. Emakumeak Zientzian, an initiative that seeks to highlight the work of women in science and technology, break down gender stereotypes and encourage girls and teenagers to take an interest in scientific careers.
2. Inspira STEAM, a mentoring programme in which more than 20 professionals from AZTI accompany children in discovering their scientific potential.
3. First Lego League, where we spark an interest in technology through play and collaborative challenges.

We believe that understanding the oceans is the first step towards protecting them.

This is why we take part in campaigns organised by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science and lead educational initiatives to teach people how marine ecosystems work and how our actions affect them.

We are active members of:

1. EuroGOOS European marine literacy group)
2. REEDUCAMAR (the network and inventory of marine education resources in Spain)
3. Network of European Blue Schools: we coordinate the Basque Blue Schools network to foster inclusion and projects linked to the sea within the school curriculum, for certification as a Blue School.
4. We are part of the advisory board for the PROBLEU project, which aims to strengthen ocean education and the connection with the marine environment within the school setting.

We are and active part of the education system, helping to train new generations of professionals.

We play a teaching role in these programmes:

1. MER (Marine Environment and Resources) master’s degree
2. Master’s degree in Circular Economics Applied to Business (UPV/EHU)
3. Master’s degree in Environmental Pollution and Toxicology
4. Master’s degree in Biodiversity, Operation and Management of Ecosystems
5. Master’s degree in Tropical Areas and Their Conservation
6. Seminars in marine biotechnology, sustainable fisheries, food safety and digitalisation of processes.
7. Since 2004, AZTI has organised a summer course every year on innovative topics aimed at postgraduate students. This course has won the MakeEUBlue Award, presented by the European Commission’s EU4Ocean coalition.

We involve people in the scientific process.

From recording species and marine monitoring to collaborative food analysis, citizens play an active role in knowledge acquisition.

Examples:

1. Listeria Challenge: over 120 people participated in food sampling and analysis to learn about food safety and actively collaborate.
2. ULYSSES, where leisure craft record the presence of marine rubbish.
3. GES4SEAS MarinART, an initiative that encourages people to photograph and geolocate street murals inspired by the sea.
4. Recreational fishing, in which participants share data on species, sizes and catch areas for more sustainable management.

Our research team takes part in events, fairs, and the media, including social media, to bring science closer to the public.

We have been present in:

1. European Researchers Night, Naukas, Pint of Science, FoodEducators, Macaronight, Asteklima, Aldaketaren Marea, Ulysses School, Pasaia Itsas Festibala, etc.

We also spread knowledge through:

1. Over 400 informative videos on our YouTube channel.
2. We are the go-to source for the media on everything related to the sea, sustainability and food. Journalists, production companies and specialist media turn to our research team for rigorous, verified information, featuring them in documentaries, reports, radio and television programmes.

Through the AZTIdata open scientific data portal, we share information generated by projects on marine ecosystems, fisheries and food sustainability.

This lets users explore interactive views, download data and discover how science can turn into action.

Explore AZTIdata