The European University of the Seas (SEA-EU) is strengthening scientific collaboration through the project POSEIDON – Exploring Pathways tOward Sustainable ocEan futures: tensIons, traDe-offs, and just transitiONs. The initiative brings together teams from the University of Malta and the University of Algarve, led by Lisa Pace, Professor at the Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation, and Hugo Pinto, Professor at the Faculty of Economics and researcher at CinTurs – Research Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being.
Funded by the SEA-EU Research Seed Fund 2025, the project runs until June 2026 and develops activities in both Malta and the Algarve. Its aim is to understand how different coastal actors — fishers, tourism operators, local authorities, communities, and other stakeholders — perceive and negotiate pathways towards sustainability, considering the fragility of marine ecosystems and the socio-economic complexity of coastal regions.
The POSEIDON approach is particularly relevant in a context where the sustainable blue economy has been assuming a central role in European and global strategies. The concept, initially associated with the economic use of marine resources, has evolved to incorporate conservation goals, the decarbonisation of maritime industries, and the promotion of inclusive livelihoods, including artisanal and traditional practices. Its implementation, however, requires interdisciplinary approaches that combine ecology, economics, sociology, innovation, and public policy, as well as the direct engagement of affected communities.
In this regard, POSEIDON contributes to strengthening the SEA-EU mission by aligning with other key initiatives of the Alliance, such as the European Bachelor in Sustainable Blue Economy (SeaBluE) and the Observatory for a Sustainable Blue Economy (OSBE). By fostering spaces for dialogue, experimentation, and reflection, the project brings academic research closer to the real needs of coastal territories, supporting the development of innovative policies and practices.
Projects like POSEIDON exemplify SEA-EU’s commitment to fostering applied knowledge and sustainable solutions, consolidating its vision of a fairer and more resilient blue future — one capable of responding, with innovation and responsibility, to the challenges shaping the coastal regions of tomorrow.
