A Decade of IMBeR: Advocating at a Transition Point

Abstract

IMBeR—Integrated Marine Biosphere Research—is a large global research project. It is dedicated to promoting, developing, and communicating the integrated and interdisciplinary marine scientific research required by society for securing or transitioning towards ocean sustainability under global change (Hofmann and The IMBeR Scientific Steering Committee 2016). IMBeR, internationally co-sponsored by the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) of the International Science Council (ISC) and Future Earth (FE), is nearing the culmination of its decade-long journey from 2016 to 2025. At this pivotal transition, we invite all IMBeR participants and the broader community to appraise the decadal activities and collaboratively launch a new project to succeed IMBeR. A notable event at this point is the IMBeR Synthesis and Future Planning Conference (Future Oceans 3, FO3, 13–16 May 2025, Shanghai & online, https://imber.info/event/fo3) featuring Looking Inward, Looking Outward, and Looking Forward.

IMBeR research is primarily carried out through regional programs, working groups, study groups, and endorsed projects (Fig. 1). These science teams have covered critical oceanic regions and the heavily utilized continental margins. They have also addressed a range of challenging thematic issues, such as the effects of climate change. These diverse science teams are featured at FO3, and their synthesis abstracts will be archived on the IMBeR website for a wider community.

Any marine scientific research to address the inherently complex oceanic processes must be vigilant about developments in other scientific research to contribute to holistic Earth System views. It is, therefore, essential to collaborate with other international projects, programs, and international bodies. IMBeR has benefited from such collaborations. One of the outcomes from FO3 is the identification of emerging scientific research challenges across relevant international projects and networks, the evaluation of novel partnership strategies, and the exploration of future collaborations. Reflecting on the ISC Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue, IMBeR will continue to work closely with representatives from the Global Research Projects of SCOR, the Global Research Networks of Future Earth, the international initiatives of the UN Ocean Decade family, and other relevant partners to develop comprehensive views.

FO3 also launches the IMBeR Marine Biosphere Doctoral Forum (IMBDF) within its framework, thanks to generous support from SCOR, to bring together recent and soon-to-be PhD graduates in marine biology and marine biogeochemistry to showcase their dissertation research to their professional peers and potential international collaborators. IMBeR particularly encourages new PhD degree holders from low- to medium-income countries to use the IMBDF for networking and professional development. Their presentations will be recorded and made available for later viewing.