Student Projects
Our second cohort launched five Blue Economy related businesses.
Project Blue @SCSU will be running a number of projects to accelerate knowledge, research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the Blue Economy.
The B.E. Innovation Bootcamp introduces the principles and best practices of innovation and design thinking and challenges participants to ideate innovations and engage in a design thinking exercise focused on sustainable Blue Economy solutions.
BE Innovation is to be scheduled for Fall 2026.
August 25-27, 2026 in Limerick, Ireland
We are facing a crucial 10-year period for sustainability, with coastal communities on the ‘front-line’ of climate response and adaption. The aim of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development aims is to “reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean” (UNESCO 2021). The Blue Economy — now widely accepted and endorsed by stakeholders from governments, industry and civil society — is seen as a promising way towards coastal sustainability and resilience. But, the Blue Economy narrative put forth by many stakeholders is still primarily focused on a growth oriented capitalist model, albeit ‘seasoned’ with a dose of sustainability.
This ALCOA Foundation funded project examines economy–environment interactions in the fjord ecosystems of eastern Iceland, where rapid economic development and climate change are reshaping coastal environments. The project combines cutting-edge environmental monitoring—including environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding—with biodiversity surveys conducted in partnership with local schools and the broader community to generate data that supports sustainable decision-making. By linking scientific research with education and community engagement, TERN builds long-term capacity for environmental stewardship in the Eastfjords.
Lead Investigators: Dr. C. Patrick Heidkamp, Dr. Emma Cross, and Dr. Scott Graves.
Our second cohort launched five Blue Economy related businesses.
June 8-26, 2026
Department of the Environment, Geology and Marine Sciences
The 2026 summer program in Iceland aims to engage students in a field-based exploration of the interrelationships between a nation's economy and its environment. Iceland, a world leader in innovative environmental policies and energy production, provides a uniquely suitable setting for such an endeavor. This field experience will focus on student-centered, active learning experiences and will engagestudents in a number of field activities. Studnets will be involved in long-term transdisciplinary research projects focused on biodiversity conservation, coastal erosion and economic change in Eastern Iceland and thus gain valuable experience in research product design and implementation as well as detailed knowledge of the social and environmental factors that continue to influenxe the development of Iceland society. Students will learn how to apply this knowledge to critically assess nature-society relationship in other contexts.
For More Information
contact Dr. C. Patrick Heidkamp
501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515 • (203) 392-SCSU
