Exciting Success at the UHI Institute for Northern Studies Islands Matter OCEAN Workshop!

The recent Islands Matter OCEAN Workshop hosted by the UHI Institute for Northern Studies has been celebrated as a brilliant success! Participants engaged in dynamic discussions and shared innovative ideas, highlighting the vital role islands play in our world today. The collaboration and enthusiasm displayed throughout the event truly made a lasting impact.

Speakers from around the world discussed various issues facing islands, with a particular emphasis on planning for a large research project. The topics covered included innovative marine planning, the potential for science tourism, the involvement of youth in fishing and other ocean-related activities, and the connections between northern and Arctic island communities.

On Friday, February 20th, 2026, we opened the initial discussions to a wider audience by hosting a free public seminar titled "OCEAN: Cross Pollination of Ideas for Resilient Futures." This seminar was held online and attracted a strong turnout of researchers, students, and members of the general public who are engaged and interested in the future of islands in our rapidly changing world. The recording of the seminar is available for viewing below or on our YouTube channel.

Discussions were free flowing and focused on the cultural, historical, and economic significance of the ocean to Shetland, with some comparisons with Faroe, Iceland and Canada, while identifying emerging challenges and areas for creative and research-based intervention.

The Key Themes and Discussion Points that arose can be summarised below:

• Fishery Culture and History: A central pillar of the day was an overview of the Shetland fishery, emphasizing how deeply the industry is woven into the island's culture and historical identity.
• Current Challenges in Marine Management: Discussions highlighted modern pressures on the fishing industry, including the complexities of governance and the impact of government policies.
• Resource Conflict and Industrialization: Participants discussed growing conflicts between different marine interest groups, such as the tension between large-scale fish farms (e.g., at Collafirth) and traditional scallop fishing.
• Renewable Energy Impacts: A major theme was the industrialization of land and seascapes due to renewable energy developments and the resulting impact on local communities.
• Creative and Participatory Practice: There was a strong focus on using creative research to engage the community, particularly young people, to explore these themes in active, participatory ways.
• Future Thinking and Place-Based Practice: Participants explored the concept of "future thinking"—imagining a "perfect future" for the islands and identifying the necessary steps to achieve it—while maintaining a focus on the sea's meaning to all island residents, not just those in the fishing industry.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Identifying how creative practices can bridge the gap between industrial development (renewables/aquaculture) and community identity.
• Conflict Resolution: Developing strategies to manage competing interests in our waters.
• Youth Engagement: Exploring methods to involve the next generation in shaping the future of their marine environment.

Associate Professor Dr. Andrew Jennings expressed his gratitude to all participants who joined both in person in Shetland and online from around the world. He noted:

“We had an excellent turnout, and the discussions we had will significantly contribute to a future paper proposing a large research effort. It is essential that we collaborate in this rapidly changing world to ensure islands become resilient and determine their own destinies, especially in the current geopolitical context. Collaborations like this are, in my opinion, crucial for fostering discussions about the future course of action for islands.”