Since 2020, Oceans@Duke has catalyzed interdisciplinary connections among Duke students and scholars. In 2025, the initiative hired its inaugural managing director, Stephanie J. Rousso. Partnering with student organizations and other Duke colleagues, Rousso helped develop new programming, including the first Oceans Week at Duke. Held in March 2025, Oceans Week brought together students, faculty and professionals to learn more about ocean conservation, marine science and policy. Attendees exchanged insights and networked at events exploring the role of AI in marine science, plastic pollution in oceans, marine megafauna conservation, ocean-related careers and more. A daylong Ocean Sustainability Summit focused on how institutions can advance local, regional and sustainable seafood sourcing to reduce their carbon footprint and support coastal community resilience. Oceans Week partners included the Oceans@Duke Graduate Student Club; Fuqua School of Business; Nicholas School of the Environment; Duke University Marine Lab; Duke Career Center; Ocean Policy Working Group; Working Group for the Environment in Latin America; and the Duke Chapter of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance. Housed within the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Oceans@Duke is advised by a faculty steering committee from the Fuqua School of Business, Nicholas Institute and Nicholas School of the Environment. READ MORE.
Photo: Oceans Week included an Innovation Showcase of research, startups and organizations advancing ocean sustainability, including a poster presentation featuring research by a Bass Connections team, represented by Nicholas School of the Environment faculty member Juliet Wong and (pictured here) student Sara Norton.