Eleanor Bent (IEP ’24) worked with the Coral Reefs of the High Seas Coalition (CRHS) on policy, communications, and science related to protecting our coral reefs. Here is more about her experience.
Experiential Learning (EL): Describe the organization you worked for:
Eleanor Bent (EB): The Coral Reefs of the High Seas Coalition (CRHS or ‘Coalition’) is a global alliance of partners dedicated to protecting coral reefs in areas beyond national jurisdictions or the high seas. The Coalition’s work encompasses three primary areas of concentration: science (conducting high-quality research and engaging with scientists around the world), policy (working with governments and promoting policies that reflect the best science), and communications (creating materials that communicate both science and policy of high seas coral reef protection) to generate the scientific and political support needed to catalyze necessary action in these critical High Seas sites.
EL: Describe your project and what you did in your internship/practicum:
EB: With the recent finalization of the High Seas Treaty, the Coalition is looking to identify high seas coral reef areas that could be candidates for a new generation of High Seas Marine Protected Areas. This is where my work comes in–I am doing preliminary research and scoping for two potential sites: the Saya de Malha Bank in the Western Indian Ocean and the Lord Howe Rise in the Tasman Sea. To do so, I completed a literature review summarizing current knowledge of the two sites, conducted semi-structured interviews with experts both within and external to the Coalition, and finally recommended the next steps the Coalition should take in these sites based on my research.
EL: What was the challenge/issue at the heart of what you were working on?
EB: The issue at the heart of my work is the protection of biodiversity hotspots in the ocean beyond any country’s national jurisdiction. Protecting these areas was almost impossible until the United Nations finalized the High Seas Treaty last year. While countries work to ratify the treaty, organizations like CRHS are attempting to identify potential protected area candidates, which is where my research came in.
EL: What was your biggest insight?
EB: My biggest insight was that each site I scoped is extremely complex, considering their political, economic, and cultural contexts. When proposing a high seas protected area, CRHS must understand all of these factors to inform their stakeholder engagement strategies and understand how to approach advocating for a protected area in each region.
EL: What was most eye-opening or surprising?
EB: What most surprised me was how difficult it was to identify and contact individuals working in each of the regions I scoped–I was able to conduct a total of 9 interviews throughout my experience, but I hoped for more.
EL: What was your personal highlight of this experience?
EB: One of my personal highlights was getting to speak with so many interesting individuals doing incredible conservation work around the world.
EL: How did you draw upon your education and experiences at MIIS?
EB: I drew upon what I’ve learned at the Middlebury Institute by using almost every skill I learned in my classes, from GIS to qualitative research to marine science and international marine law.
EL: How were you able to contribute to this organization’s work?
EB: I provided CRHS with a thorough foundation of research about each of the sites I scoped, which they can use to inform their work in these areas in the future.
EL: What skills did you develop? How will this experience help you professionally?
EB: I developed my skills in qualitative research, including conducting semi-structured interviews with key informants. I also built on my GIS skills by making maps of each site. Finally, I built on my research and synthesis skills by reading academic papers and summarizing the most important information.
EL: What tips do you have for other students?
EB: I recommend starting the search for a potential practicum experience as early as possible! Once you have a project and know you have to conduct interviews, reach out as early as possible, and don’t be afraid to send plenty of follow-ups–people usually appreciate them.
EL: How could other students connect to organizations or projects at this organization or in this location?
EB: If any students are interested in the work that CRHS is doing or want to get involved, feel free to contact me or my supervisor, Haydée Rodriguez!