Degree program: M.A.M.A
Year accepted: 2026
Advisor: TBD
Research: High Seas Governance, Deep-Sea Mining Impacts, Hydrography
Background: B.A. Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island
Profile:
Elliot Thompson is a Master of Arts in Marine Affairs student and has lived and worked in coastal communities his whole life, from his upbringing in the San Juan Islands to his service with the U.S. Coast Guard. His fascination with the ocean took hold while living aboard an old wooden cabin-cruiser on Lake Washington. Elliot enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and enjoyed a variety of postings, including aboard the USCGC Steadfast and as a Marine Science Technician while attached to Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. USCG Marine Science Technicians are specialists in hazardous materials, oil spills, international shipping regulations, and port operations. He also worked in partnership with NOAA’s Office of Exploration and Research (OER) aboard R/V Okeanos Explorer. Inspired by his experiences in federal environmental regulatory enforcement, he decided to further his education at the University of Rhode Island.
He completed his B.A. in Marine Affairs in 2025 and saw value in pursuing graduate study at the same institution. The Marine Affairs department’s long-standing relationship with the Coast Guard played a major role in his decision, as the two serve as a true nexus of ocean information and expertise.
His primary research interests include high seas governance, deep-sea mining impacts, and hydrography. While at URI, Elliot plans to translate publicly available raw bathymetry data of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) into an accessible medium for the public using geo-temporal modeling software (QPS Fledermaus) ahead of active deep-sea mining in the CCZ, transforming a small part of a massive repository of public data into meaningful information for all relevant stakeholders, where little exists today.
In his free time, he repairs and restores vintage cars and boats, practices analog photography, and draws buildings and landscapes.