Ocean Literacy
The Tide Has No Bias: Why the Next Generation of Indian Women Must Take Action in the Field
The tide does not recognise gender. As World Ocean Day approaches, marine scientist Debarati Sengupta reflects on what equity looks like in Indian marine science, why women are too often kept lab-bound, and how the next generation can move from the bench to the boat.
By Debarati Sengupta
The tide does not recognise gender. In the depths of the ocean, the only things that matter are the data we collect and the ecosystem we protect. As World Ocean Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on what ‘equity’ actually looks like in marine science.
The ‘lab-bound’ nature
In the Indian scientific community, women are frequently steered toward lab-based research. Whether the reason is societal expectation, a lack of infrastructure on research vessels, or safety considerations, the result is the same. Lab work is the backbone of science, but the field is where the pulse of the planet is felt. Limiting women to the lab means we lose half of the perspective we need to solve the climate crisis.
The Indian context
The disconnection is felt particularly sharply in India, despite a coastline of 11,098.81 km and a remarkable diversity of marine species. Public awareness of the science behind the ocean remains low. UNESCO-IOC defines ‘Ocean Literacy’ as an understanding of the ocean’s influence on humanity and humanity’s influence on the ocean. The 7th Ocean Literacy principle reminds us that the ocean is largely unexplored: only 20% of the ocean floor has been mapped.
For India to bridge this gap, we cannot rely on textbooks alone. Knowledge shapes attitude, and hands-on experience is what turns attitude into action. Ocean Literacy is not about reading charts. It is about getting out there, on the ground, and learning by doing.
How to take action on the ground
A short checklist for women in marine science who are ready to step beyond the lab or the desk:
- Start as a volunteer. If overnight expeditions feel daunting, sign up for short, single-day trips first.
- Build your field expertise. Pursue certifications in swimming, diving, remote sensing, or drone technology. Technical skills are the ultimate tide turner.
- Take the lead. When a research project is being designed, push to be on the sampling team, not just the data entry team.
- Build your own network. Connect with fellow women researchers, find mentors, and mentor a junior student in return. Normalising women in the field starts with us, building a pipeline for the next ones in.
- Communicate your findings. Use your voice to tell the stories from your field sites and to spark awareness among the communities closest to them.
A call to action
This World Ocean Day, let us commit to getting our boots wet. Are you a student hesitating to sign up for the next research cruise or field trip? Reach out. Let’s talk about why you should.
Debarati Sengupta is an early-career researcher with interests in ocean literacy, science communication, and policy advocacy. She holds an M.Sc. in Marine Science and led the ‘Beyond the Waves’ Ocean Literacy programme in India. Debarati has participated in UN conferences, moderated panel discussions, and explored ‘open-air labs’ across the mud and mangroves of India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Beyond research, she balances her love for the sea with photography, writing, and learning new languages. Reach her at debaratisengupta99@gmail.com.
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