Black Ocean Citizens story
Black Ocean Citizens (BLOC) was borne out of a moment of deep frustration at a conference where people of colour, particularly black and brown scientists and representatives from environmental - non government organisations were not only underrepresented but misrepresented in presentations. Public talks in marine and fisheries sciences lacked meaningful inclusion, exposing deeply entrenched racial biases held in these spaces.
Founded with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Access at it’s core, we exist to provide a platform for underrepresented and underserved people of colour to engage and shape ocean sciences and advocacy.
My story
When I was at school a career aptitude test revealed that except for a couple of kids, my classmates’ best life chances were to be achieved by aiming for clerical administrative careers. Being educated at an London inner city school – as the daughter of first generation immigrant parents studying alongside many children from different Asian backgrounds – a job involving a desk top computer was the height of ambition. But my working life went on to span market trading, cleaning, and selling double glazing under the pseudonym ‘Gail’. I also briefly worked as an accounts assistant for BBC news anchors and almost auditioned as a weather reporter. My route to marine and fisheries social sciences was far from linear.
One day, a poster of a scuba diver stopped me in my tracks on the way to the science block, and after that my career path as a marine and fisheries scientist started to take shape. After an initial pull towards studying the impacts of oil and gas extraction on marine animals, at the University of New South Wales, Australia, I became fascinated by human–ocean interdependence. As well as following this as an area of research, I had fun with it too – enjoying fishing, scuba diving, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
I started to realise that those who engaged with research in the government and environmental ngos were mainly educated at selective schools and were affluent, with a very different background to my own. Perhaps for this reason, I encountered challenges to finding opportunities in the sector – in recruitment processes, academia, and as a practitioner. I watched from the sidelines with the odds stacked against me as a working-class woman of colour trying to carve a path for myself. The words of an influential fisheries scientist struck a chord “you are a woman of your own destiny. If YOU don’t seize opportunities, someone else will”. As I progress in my career and reflect on my those words, I have come to realise that discriminatory behaviour was preventing me from progressing in already seized opportunities.
Because of my love of oceans, I have been committed to working in this field for many years. As well as gaining my PhD at the University of East Anglia, I have worked at a world leading marine and fisheries laboratory, central government and at government agencies, and consultancy as a marine and fisheries policy and evidence expert.
My hope is that BLOC provides space for people of all backgrounds to work together for the sake of our oceans.
Gurpreet Padda
Founder
All views expressed here are those of Black Ocean Citizens
Research interests
Gurpreet’s previous research has included areas such as South Indian women in the fisheries industry and the impact of oil based drilling muds on sea urchin larvae in Botany Bay, Sydney Australia. Pursuing her interest in marine invertibrates and human-nature interdependencies, Gurpreet’s PhD was We’re just fishing: Analysing environmental justice in the governance of the The Wash, North West Norfolk cockle fishery.
Increasingly her research interests have considered Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity, and Justice and Access (DEIJA) approach to marine and fisheries. Other interests extend to people of colour - gender equity, social inclusion, decolonisation of ocean sciences, small scale fisheries and inclusive marine sustainable development.
Who we are
Gurpreet is a marine and fisheries social scientist, first ethnically minoritised person on be appointed onto Norwich City Council cabinet as portfolio holder for Equalities and Social Justice, first woman of colour to be appointed onto the Broads National Park Authority board. She also leads marine and fisheries evidence at the Marine Management Organisation. With a twenty-two year strong career spanning government, academia, consultancy and activism, Gurpreet uses her lived experiences to bring justice-centred leadership to ocean sciences. She is deeply committed to reshaping access routes into marine spaces for the next generation, particularly for those like her, from racially minoritised and working class backgrounds.
Tsian is passionate ocean advocate working at the intersection of marine conservation, equity and storytelling. As a young woman of colour with a disability, she is driven vy rge need for justice and representation in marine science. She founded Mermaids Beyond Borders to amplify underrepresented voices and shift how communities engage with ocean knowledge. Currently studying Ocean Sciences and Marine Conservation, University of Plymouth, Tsian contributes to research, outreach and education projects across the UK and Caribbean. She is also an author and podcast host, using storytelling as a vehicle to transform the landscape of marine engagement and make it more accessible to all.
Lynda is a seasoned campaigner. She joins BLOC bringing vast experience as a global community manager and grassroots activist. She coordinates digital forums across the UK and Global South for a global health organisation, supporting health campaigns in countries such as India and Brazil. Her activism and campaigns supports refugees, girls in care, domestic abuse survivors and food bank users.
Ariadne is a visual media storyteller. She joins BLOC after receiving a First Class Honours in photography from Nottingham. She supports BLOC’s storytelling through photography, videography and social media content, helping to bring the organisation’s vision to life through compelling imagery. As a committed ally in community-led activism, Ariadne uses creative media to highlight stories of justice and inclusion. Her work ensures BLOC’s message reaches diverse audiences and reflects the beauty, resilience and power of minoritised ocean communities.
