Oceans Week at Duke
March 23-27, 2026
Advancing Ocean Conservation, Climate Action, and Sustainable Blue Economies
Events
Throughout the week, campus groups, research centers, and community partners host an array of events celebrating ocean innovation, policy, art, and advocacy. From student-led panels to poster sessions and interactive workshops, these events highlight the diversity of ocean engagement at Duke and beyond.
Monday, March 23
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
LSRC Hugs Commons
Marine Community Coffee
Join the Duke oceans community for coffee and conversation. This informal gathering brings together students, faculty, and researchers interested in ocean science, policy, and conservation. Drop by to connect with others passionate about marine issues.
Drop-in event. No registration required.
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location TBD
Ocean Policy Working Group Symposium
The OPWG at Duke is an interdisciplinary graduate and professional student working group that aims to facilitate cross-disciplinary discussions and collaborations that explore political, economic, scientific, and cultural dimensions of human interactions with the ocean. Working group activities examine current issues involving the global oceans and the impact of these issues on marine policy and ocean governance. We strive to relate to an audience beyond those that directly study the coast.
Drop-in event. No registration required.
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
School of Nursing Auditorium (Room 1014)
Documentary: A Plastic Ocean
A Plastic Ocean is an award-winning documentary that explores the fragile state of our oceans and uncovers alarming truths about the consequences of our disposable lifestyle. The film documents the global effects of plastic pollution and highlights workable technologies and innovative solutions that governments, organizations, and individuals can implement to create a cleaner and greener ocean.This event is co-hosted by Planetary Health and the Duke School of Nursing and aligns with the Duke Climate Commitment by empowering climate action from an individual perspective.
Pizza will be provided.
Tuesday, March 24
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall
Duke RESTORE—Ocean Ecosystem Showcase
Join us for an inspiring session with Duke RESTORE, a Nicholas School initiative advancing ecosystem restoration from coral reefs to seagrass meadows and living shorelines. Student teams will share updates from three projects—Coral Reefs, Seagrass Farm, and Living Shorelines—showcasing how Duke research is turning restoration science into real‑world impact for coastal communities.
Drop-in event. No registration required.
Coral Reef Team
Provides technical and capacity‑building support to reef restoration efforts globally and pilots new coral research along North Carolina’s coast.
Seagrass Farm Team
Builds a seagrass “farm” to produce seeds and transplants for regional restoration projects while testing innovative, cost‑effective techniques.
Living Shorelines Team
Develops science‑based, ecosystem‑friendly alternatives to hard coastal infrastructure that enhance shoreline protection and resilience.
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Gross Hall, Room 103
Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Duke Hub
Join the Duke Hub of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) for a discussion about how students can become involved in citizen activism and make their voices heard to elected officials and corporations. Including a space to write letters to elected officials and a presentation on the history of environmental justice and methods that have worked in the past.
Drop-in event. No registration required.
Speaker: Hugh Cipparone
Fishery Finance & Policy Analyst, Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance, and Sustainable Ocean Alliance Fellow
Hugh Cipparone is graduate of Duke’s Nicholas School with a concentration in coastal and marine systems, Cipparone created a documentary highlighting Florida fisherfolk impacted by climate change and developed practical disaster resilience tools for fishing communities. He uses data and storytelling to advance economic justice and environmental health in fisheries, with particular focus on preserving working waterfronts and creating opportunities for the next generation of fishers.
Wednesday, March 25
12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
HCA Auditorium
Fuqua School of Business
Blue Economy Summit
Join global leaders, innovators, and Duke experts for a dynamic half‑day program bridging science, business, and policy to accelerate a regenerative blue economy.
Thursday, March 26
11:00 a.m. –
2:00 p.m.
Grainger Hall, 2nd floor
Ocean Exchanges and Innovation Exposition
The Ocean Exchange and Innovation Exposition are congruent events for students, faculty, and collaborators to share ocean-focused, interdisciplinary research, projects, and technology. The Ocean Exchange features interdisciplinary research and creativity in the Duke Oceans community through lightning talks and a poster presentation. The interconnected Innovation Exposition provides participants with a networking event with nine businesses advancing ocean solutions through creative business models that are scaling-up impact.
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall (Room 1112)
Considering Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal for Addressing Climate Change: Risks, Benefits, and Governance
As the world faces escalating impacts of climate change, innovative solutions are urgently needed to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) represents a potentially powerful tool to help mitigate this crisis by harnessing the ocean’s natural ability to absorb and store carbon. Expert Wil Burns, Co-Director for the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University, will be joined by Duke faculty, researchers, and students in a panel discussion to explore the science, policy, and implications surrounding mCDR approaches, examining whether they can be developed safely, viably, and at scales that matter for climate mitigation. Duke is a partner of Oceans Visions in advancing collaborative research to better understand the full potential and risks of mCDR technologies.
Co-Sponsored by Oceans@Duke and the Duke Center on Risk.
Speaker: Wil Burns
Co-Director, Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal, American University
Wil Burns is the co-director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal, a research center at American University and a professor in the School of International Service. Burns focuses on the potential role of carbon dioxide removal as a climate response mechanism, with a focus on law and governance issues, especially in the context of marine-based options. He holds a Ph.D. in international environmental law from the University of Wales-Cardiff School of Law.
7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Brodhead Center, Room 068
Tide Talk: Sustainable Ocean Energy
Tide Talk is a series of presentations organized by Duke Marine Scholars, open to the public. These events offer a chance to deep dive into current topics around ocean conservation and sustainability. During Oceans Week, the scholars have organized a Tide Talk about sustainable ocean energy with special guest speaker George Bonner.
Drop-in event. No registration required.
Speaker: George Bonner
Director, North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program, NC State University & Coastal Studies Institute
George Bonner serves as North Carolina’s Director of Renewable Ocean Energy, leading research and development of marine energy solutions across the University of North Carolina system. Following retirement from a 30-year career in the US Coast Guard (USCG) in July 2019, Bonner returned home to the Outer Banks his new position at the Coastal Studies Institute. Captain Bonner’s USCG career included command assignments as Commander, USCG Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center and Commanding Officer of USCG Facilities Design and Construction Center. Throughout his career, he has led strategic efforts to enhance infrastructure resiliency and sustainability while adapting to a changing climate. He is a North Carolina registered Professional Engineer and a Certified Floodplain Manager.
As co-director of the Atlantic Marine Energy Center, part of a Department of Energy consortium and National Marine Renewable Energy Center, he is at the forefront of developing renewable energy from our oceans.
All times ET
Contact Us
Reach out to us for inquiries about Oceans Week at Duke and ocean sustainability events and collaborations.
Email: dukeoceans_info@duke.edu
