Sustainable use of ocean resources, referred to as Blue Economy, has to deal with several societal challenges, such as food security, human health and climate change. Coastal areas worldwide are among the most densely populated, but most vulnerable to the impacts of human- and climate-induced changes. Innovative inter- and multidisciplinary solutions are required to mitigate these urgent social challenges while simultaneously providing crucial ecosystem services that (in)directly affect people (e.g. storing carbon, controlling floods, stabilising shorelines, provision of clean air and water, food, fuel, medicines).

The BLUES&T Seasonal School will tackle these major (global) societal challenges from an inter- and multidisciplinary perspective. We combine academic lectures from top researchers from different (inter-) national knowledge institutions active in the several Blue Economy domains, with seminars provided by European and national policy-makers as well as private companies with an established value in their sector, and practical experience. As such, BlueS&T participants gain first hand insight in the process of designing, launching and running offshore businesses by leading experts in the field. Providing both academic as well as a range of soft, transferable skills.