“In particular, we knew Congress would be interested in the societal benefits of research.”

Ocean science is entering a pivotal decade, one shaped by urgent global challenges and the need for bold, forward-looking research. I was honored to help lead an effort to meet these challenges as co-chair of the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) committee tasked with creating a 10-year vision for the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE).

Our charge was to identify high priority research questions for 2025–2035, evaluate infrastructure required to accomplish that research, and examine the workforce and partnerships necessary for success. To ensure the report reflected the needs and aspirations of the ocean research community, we spent more than a year managing an open process to gather opinions on ocean science, policy and workforce development. The report also went through an extensive peer review process before final NASEM approval.

It was important that our report speak clearly to those who control the flow of funds into OCE, leaders like the NSF director, science experts in the White House, and the Congressional committees that determine budgets for the science agencies. In particular, we knew Congress would be interested in the societal benefits of research.

Our committee issued two reports, both of which describe an exciting future for ocean science: Progress and Priorities in Ocean Drilling published in 2024, and our final report, Forecasting the Ocean, published this year. The final report discussed three topics that illustrate the importance of ocean research: national security and international leadership, strong economies, and human health and well-being.

We also highlighted three research questions to help guide solutions-oriented ocean science for the next decade:

• How will the ocean’s ability to absorb heat and carbon change?
• How will marine ecosystems respond to changes in
  the Earth system?
• How can the ability to forecast extreme events be improved?

Our report emphasizes the need to move beyond understanding ocean processes towards developing predictive skills necessary to anticipate the future ocean and its effects on humankind. We also included a chapter on workforce development and highlighted the importance of forging new partnerships with other agencies, the private sector, and international collaborators, with a recommendation for a new approach to conduct societally relevant research. A final chapter addressed new infrastructure required to accomplish this ambitious research agenda.

NASEM committees produce “consensus” reports, which means that all members must support the final product. One of the challenges of a co-chair is to help the committee reach consensus. Fortunately, our committee worked exceptionally well together, making consensus achievable.

I learned a great deal—about science and about people—from co-chairing this committee. It was an exciting and truly meaningful experience that stands as another example of the vital role the National Science Foundation plays in advancing research and serving the nation, particularly fitting as it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

— James Yoder, M.S. ’74, Ph.D. ’79, Emeritus Professor of Oceanography