Science diplomacy has gained much attention within diplomatic and epistemic communities and concerns the interaction of science and international relations in all possible manners to address the challenges facing humanity with a view to building constructive, knowledge-based international alliances. Research on the vital role of ocean science diplomacy is very timely as the United Nations has proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-30) as well as a means to complement the delivery of the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
The research aims to assess and propose possible frameworks for science diplomacy that are best suited to serving the Decade's proposed outcomes, taking the All Atlantic Research Alliance (Galway and Belém Statements) as a case study. In doing so, science diplomacy will contribute to global efforts to manage the ocean sustainably based on the best available science.

An international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ agreement) is currently being negotiated at the UN.
The elements of the BBNJ agreement - marine genetic resources including questions on sharing of benefits; area based management tools, including marine protected areas; environmental impact assessments; and capacity building and the transfer of marine technology, all have the potential to affect the sustainability of the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) ocean based economy, either directly or indirectly. The research examines how this agreement will interact with and influence the future development of regional ocean governance and the blue economy in CARICOM.

The Sustainable Development Goal 14.C highlights the importance of implementing UNCLOS and conserving and sustainably using the oceans and their resources. This is particularly true regarding the rules regulating marine scientific research, an essential activity to increase scientific knowledge and to meet existentialist challenges posed by climate change, sea-level rise and unsustainable uses of the ocean.
The research reviews state practice of the Caribbean and Pacific Small Islands Developing States in implementing the rules on marine scientific research under UNCLOS with the ultimate aim of designing a regional approach that is tailored to meet the present and future needs of SIDS. Thereby raising their scientific capability and allowing them to take advantage of scientific discoveries in sea areas within and beyond their jurisdiction.

As a UN Nippon Fellow and PADI dive instructor, my research aims to advance localisland dive leader's solutions to support policies that restore the coral reef ecosystems and rebuild fish stocks. A key aspect is by linking the network of diving leaders to the UN Local 2030 Islands Network for a sustainable ocean.

The research focuses on the development of integrated policies for diving stakeholders within tourism, fisheries sectors and industries on islands that will enable them to support ocean sustainability (SDG 14) and blue economy growth. The research pays specific attention to the integration of policies that foster the social objectives such as diver employment, education, training, safety and protection (SDG 4 & 8) along with the economic and environmental sustainability policy objectives. My research adds value to the debates concerning emerging economic reforms for islands, island resilience, island values, local knowledge and identity.