Coral reefs sit at the intersection of ecological, economic, social and scientific systems: they therefore provide a perfect system for a rigorous conceptual analysis of the ‘blue acceleration’ and ‘blue economy’, terms respectively denoting the rapid expansion of economic and scientific interest in the sea, and the aim to develop more sustainable marine economic systems in the process. Reefs support a vast range of organisms, impact substantially on human wellbeing, are of considerable scientific importance, so are at the forefront of expanding scientific and economic marine interests. Yet economic values often dominate decision making. This postdoctoral project will connect the scientific and ecological value of reef systems within the emerging framework of ‘blue economics’ to provide tools for understanding and articulating the diverse values of living systems beyond solely economic considerations. This is particularly important given growing economic and ecological pressures on marine systems (the ‘blue acceleration’).
This will build on my PhD work (which focused on the roles of various forms of value in coral reef science), through analysis of as yet unused empirical data already gathered from interviews with coral scientists. Through these, many scientists expressed the value of reef ecosystems in rich and nuanced ways, providing a fertile databank for exploring and refining concepts of ecosystem value. I noticed intriguing connections between ideas from philosophy of science (like epistemic values) and from environmental economics and sustainability science, such as relational values and ecosystem services, two frameworks for understanding ecological and economic value. There was no scope within that project to explore these connections. Here, I would like to do so in the emerging context of the blue economy, which is associated with a reconception of notions of value production, such as decoupling growth from environmental degradation (Jouffray et al., 2020). I would explore the conceptual underpinnings in these  developments using the case study of coral reefs, through literature on values in science (in philosophy/STS), value in sustainability science and ecology, and value in environmental economics, all in the context of the emerging blue economy movement.
The project will involve two strands, both culminating in academic publications. First, a focus on the interplay of scientific and economic value of reefs: there are interesting areas of synergy within my interview data, particularly connecting ideas of ecosystem functions/services on one hand, and model/experimental organisms, on the other. Second, I will connect this to how value production is conceived in the blue economy, and the ways in which this differs from traditional terrestrial conceptions of value. Both strands will use data from (already conducted) interviews, and connect with concepts expressing reef value in ecological terms.
I will also organise a workshop on the epistemic dimensions of ecosystems, bringing together researchers in the various disciplines connected to this (philosophy, sustainability, social and natural sciences), with designated spaces specifically for those working on the blue economy. I would actively participate in the research activities of the KLI to support the work of others, get feedback on my project, and explore connections between them.