With support from the Julia R. Brown Education and Research Fund, Mia Conte (MAS CSP ‘26) traveled to Norway and Greece to advance her capstone research on blue carbon ecosystems as nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and biodiversity protection. Working with the Norwegian Institute for Water Research and scientists involved in the EU-China C-BLUES project, she deepened her analysis of seagrass and macroalgae systems while exploring how these ecosystems can be better integrated into national climate policy. The experience strengthened both the scientific and international policy dimensions of her work and reinforced her commitment to a career at the intersection of marine science and climate action.
Purpose/Overview
For my capstone project and thesis in the MAS in Climate Science and Policy program, I am studying the use of Blue Carbon Ecosystems (BCEs) as nature-based climate and biodiversity solutions. Early in the program, I connected with the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) regarding their work on blue carbon and their participation in the C-BLUES Project, an EU-China joint research initiative focused on advancing BCE science and policy integration. NIVA agreed to collaborate with me on my thesis, with the goal of contributing my final deliverable to support the broader objectives of C-BLUES.
The C-BLUES project aims to improve scientific understanding of BCEs, including emerging systems such as natural and farmed kelp ecosystems, while also supporting greater inclusion of BCEs within national greenhouse gas inventories and reporting frameworks under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Through my capstone project, I have been working with the NIVA team and C-BLUES scientists to conduct a detailed case study of seagrass and macroalgae systems in Norway and develop a science-to-policy roadmap for their integration into national climate mitigation and biodiversity strategies. In parallel, I have also been conducting comparative analysis of seagrass and macroalgae BCEs across other parts of Europe using spatial analysis, data synthesis, and interactive mapping approaches.
Traveling to Norway and Greece to work directly with my advisor and collaborating scientists became an integral component of my research process. Prior to traveling, I had completed extensive literature reviews and begun developing analytical workflows and research plans, but being on-site significantly accelerated and strengthened my work. In Norway, I was able to speak directly with scientists responsible for much of the existing BCE literature, learn about emerging methodologies currently under development, and receive direct feedback on my analyses and conceptual framework.
While in Greece, I attended the annual meeting of the C-BLUES project, where I met researchers from across Europe and China involved in different aspects of the initiative. The conference provided an invaluable opportunity to learn about the current status and future direction of the project, while also discussing my own research questions, challenges, and ideas with leading scientists working in blue carbon science, climate policy, and marine ecosystem management.
How the Experience Contributed to My Research and Increased My Understanding of Climate Impacts and Adaptation
My collaboration and travel experience substantially strengthened both the scientific and policy dimensions of my research. Working directly with prominent researchers allowed me to gain a much deeper understanding of complex ecosystem dynamics, carbon cycling processes, and methodological uncertainties associated with blue carbon systems. I was introduced to novel analytical approaches, unpublished or emerging research directions, and interdisciplinary perspectives that would have been difficult to access remotely.
While in Norway, I was able to assemble and synthesize one of the most up-to-date datasets available on Norwegian seagrass and macroalgae ecosystems. This enabled me to develop a comprehensive assessment of the current status, vulnerabilities, and policy relevance of these habitats, while also informing subsequent analysis related to climate mitigation potential, ecosystem resilience, and governance readiness.
Attending the C-BLUES meeting in Greece also gave me a much broader understanding of the current state of blue carbon research and implementation across Europe. Presentations from project task leaders highlighted both major scientific advances and ongoing challenges related to BCE monitoring, carbon accounting, restoration, and policy integration. The experience helped me better understand Europe-wide trends while also recognizing important country-specific differences in ecological conditions, governance structures, and climate priorities.
More broadly, observing how an international EU-China climate research initiative operates provided valuable insight into the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of climate adaptation and ocean policy work. Because marine climate issues transcend national boundaries, understanding how large-scale international scientific collaborations function was particularly meaningful for my future career interests within the ocean-climate nexus.
Most Striking Aspect of My Experience
The collaborative and highly engaging atmosphere of the project team in Greece was especially transformative for me. Greece’s coastal environments and seagrass ecosystems provided an inspiring backdrop for the conference, and I was fortunate to spend some time exploring these ecosystems outside of the formal meetings. Participating in such an intellectually stimulating and supportive conference environment in a region so closely connected to the research itself was both motivating and reaffirming.
What stood out most was the openness and collaborative spirit of the group. Researchers from different countries, disciplines, and career stages actively shared ideas, challenges, and perspectives in a highly constructive way. Engaging with scientists from across Europe and China expanded my understanding of how marine climate issues are approached in different regions and exposed me to a wide range of scientific and policy perspectives.
The experience reinforced my sense of belonging within this field and strengthened my motivation to pursue a career focused on marine climate science and international collaboration.
What I Took From This Experience That I May Integrate Into My Career Path
This experience significantly broadened my understanding of the range of career pathways available within the ocean-climate field. Through conversations with researchers, policy experts, and interdisciplinary scientists, I gained insight into careers spanning academic research, international environmental policy, marine management, climate governance, and applied science communication.
The experience also reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary and international collaboration in addressing complex climate and biodiversity challenges. Moving forward, I hope to continue working at the intersection of marine and climate science, particularly in roles that combine scientific research with practical applications for ecosystem management, climate mitigation, and international environmental cooperation.
Blog content and images provided by Mia Conti – thank you!