Building a More Inclusive Future: Key Takeaways from Our JEDI in Ocean Communication Online Conversation

What does it take to make ocean communication truly just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (JEDI)? This was the question at the heart of our recent online discussion, hosted by the Advancing Strategic Ocean Communication (ASOC) project on February 19th.

The discussion brought together the ASOC project’s JEDI advisory board and ocean communicators to share insights, challenges, and strategies for embedding JEDI principles into ocean communication. The session opened with an introduction to the Better Practice Principles, a set of guidelines co-developed by the advisory board to support more inclusive, effective, and ethical communication about ocean issues, then opened to wider conversation.

Key Takeaways: What We Learned

??Beyond Tokenism: Commit to Real Change It's not enough to check a box - JEDI principles must be deeply embedded in decision-making and daily practice. Otherwise, they risk becoming performative gestures. We discussed the risk of our JEDI principles becoming tokenistic too, and talked about what is required for their meaningful implementation.

?? Representation Matters - In Words and Visuals Diversity must be reflected in both the stories we tell and the images we share. Many institutions are re-evaluating their media libraries to ensure they authentically represent the scientific community. Diverse, representative and regularly refreshed imagery is an ongoing need.

?? The Power of Allies and Community Leadership Change happens when allies step up and when leadership comes from within underrepresented communities. Data-driven strategies and institutional commitment are key.

?? Handling Pushback with Resilience Not everyone welcomes change - but that doesn't mean we stop pushing forward. Building inclusivity is like strengthening a muscle: it takes consistency, resilience, and strategy to see real progress.

Creating a Trusted Space for Open Conversations

To foster honest dialogue, we followed Chatham House rules - ensuring that comments were not attributed to individuals or organisations and that no recording was made. This allowed participants to speak freely about both progress and setbacks. With simultaneous Spanish and Portuguese interpretation, we made sure the conversation was as inclusive as the values we champion.

This is Just the Beginning

This conversation marked an important moment in our online event series, and we’re committed to keeping the discussion going. Let’s work together to make ocean communication more inclusive, ethical, and impactful.

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