Special Issue: Reimagining Ocean Futures Beyond Growth

27 Sep Special Issue: Reimagining Ocean Futures Beyond Growth

As the ocean economy faces growing social, ecological, and political pressures, it’s clear that the current “blue growth” model—focused on expanding ocean industries under the banner of sustainability—isn’t delivering justice for people or the planet. We urgently need to imagine new futures for our oceans: ones that are rooted in care, wellbeing, equity, and resilience.

That’s why I’m co-guest-editing a Special Issue for the new open access journal Ocean & Society titled:

Reimagining Ocean Futures Beyond Growth

…and we’d love for you to be part of it.

This Special Issue will bring together bold, creative, and critical work exploring what lies beyond blue growth. We’re especially looking for interdisciplinary voices from across the social sciences, humanities, and environmental sciences—including Global South perspectives, Indigenous scholarship, and those working at the intersection of marine governance, justice, and socio-ecological transformation.

Here are just a few of the themes we’re excited about:
Blue degrowth and post-growth marine economies
Wellbeing metrics in coastal communities
Just transitions in fisheries, tourism, and shipping
Indigenous and local knowledge in marine stewardship
New models of ocean governance rooted in care and reciprocity
Regenerative finance, ownership, and business models
Degrowth perspectives on climate adaptation in marine contexts

We’re open to empirical studies, conceptual papers, case studies, and collaborative commentaries. If this resonates with your work—or sparks a new idea—please get in touch!

📝 Deadline to express interest (with author names and article title): 15 October 2025 – the full article will be due around October 2026; though early submissions are encouraged!

👥 The editorial team includes Ingrid Kelling (Heriot-Watt), Nenia Micha (Gloucester), Julia Weston (Universidade Católica Portuguesa), Iain Black (Strathclyde), and myself (Christiaan De Beukelaer, Melbourne).

Let’s co-create a visionary and vital future for our oceans. Feel free to share this with others in your networks who might be interested, and of course do not hesitate to get in contact with me if you have any questions.

All the best,
Christiaan

Dr. Christiaan De Beukelaer | Senior Lecturer in Culture & Climate
Faculty of Arts
Walter Boas Building
University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia
E: chr.db@unimelb.edu.au