Remote Internships
Remote Multidisciplinary Internships on Applied Marine Conservation
Would you want to become part of something that is bigger than yourself - something that takes significant steps in saving the Oceans while securing the future of the planet? If so, Explore our remote internship projects and get started today!
During the time of the COVID-19 outbreak, if you are unable to travel, you can still gain first-hand experience in applied marine conservation on our remote internship programme, which includes “Real Time Monitoring of Marine Ecosystems”. Students, graduates and young professionals can gain scientific, policy or communication experience working with the research team of Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation.
This exciting remote internship offers interns an immersive opportunity to remotely aid researchers who continue to work in the field, by helping to analyze and interpret data being collected with the use of state of the art equipment. Part of this data-set can be shared in real-time, during surveys conducted in the spring, summer and autumn of 2020.
Real-Time Monitoring of Marine Ecosystems uses a combination of:
- Drone-based marine mammal surveys, which are combined with data collected during boat-based research surveys,
- Underwater cameras monitoring the biodiversity of coastal ecosystems and the spread of invasive species. Footage can be shared in real-time.
- Underwater sensors logging oceanographic data in response to the current changing climate.
With travel restrictions in place, the use of these innovative technologies and software programs overcome accessibility issues and provides remote interns with a modern way of monitoring marine ecosystems with minimal human disturbance. Data will be utilized to inform local conservation and environmental management activities. It will also help describe how ecosystems respond during the time of minimal human disturbance at sea during and after the time of restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Programs
Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation offers exciting programs for student groups with a desire to acquire hands-on field experience in applied research and conservation. Join our team in the Aegean Sea to start building this learning opportunity today.
- Hands on work with land and sea-based surveys.
- Applied research skills in field action, such as using state of the art oceanographic equipment, Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) and drones;
- Map and monitor the distribution of protected habitats and species, such as marine mammals, or Posidonia seagrass and coralligenous habitats.
- Surveying experience using kayak and snorkel based methods;
- Assess the anthropogenic impact on our coastal ecosystems.
- Interview based surveys to record Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK)
Example Programs
These environmental field research programs are part of the year-round activities and research of the International School of the Sea which is composed of researchers staying and working at our research bases, actively participating in the conservation activities of the Archipelagos Institute.
Marine Mammals Research & Conservation
Gain experience in cetacean studies of the Aegean Sea. Remote interns aid the research team on site by helping to analyze and interpret marine mammal sightings data, which is used to influence local conservation and environmental management strategies. Projects are tailored according to the intern’s fields of interest and experience and can focus on one or more of the following:
- Creation of a Photo-ID catalog using dorsal fin photos of common dolphin or bottlenose dolphin.
- Study population structure and social interactions of common dolphins or bottlenose dolphin with SOCPROG
- Analysis of the distribution of dolphins following Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software – QGis
- Study of the seasonal variation of behaviour of common dolphin or bottlenose dolphin
Marine Ecology Research & Conservation
Gain experience in marine habitats studies. Remote interns aid the research teams on site by helping to analyze and interpret environmental data, , while assisting with multidisciplinary research efforts to understand the health of marine ecosystems and assess marine life and biodiversity. Projects are tailored according to the intern’s fields of interest and experience and can focus on one or more of the following:
Projects include:
- Monitoring the health and biodiversity of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows as a habitat for fish and macroinvertebrates
- Determining the presence and abundance of invasive species
- Comparing sampling methods for identifying fish biodiversity and abundance
- Assessing the presence and abundance of macroinvertebrates in coastal waters
- Assessing microplastics contamination in marine organisms
Environmental policy
Gain experience in real-world applications of environmental policy by joining Archipelagos Institute virtually from home. Remote interns assist the different teams working on site on projects requiring environmental policy research and analysis, as well as in report writing and campaigning, and writing articles to raise public awareness. Projects are tailored according to the intern’s fields of interest, academic background and skills and can focus on one or more of the following:
- Fisheries Management and Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fisheries
- Cetacean captivity and the “Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary”
- Promoting the enforcement of existing EU and international legislation for the protection of protected habitats (i.e. seagrass meadows and coralligenous reefs)
- Illegal trading and deliberate killings of protected species
- Environmental crimes, pollution incidents and the destruction of natural habitats and wildlife
- Shipping, maritime traffic and maritime accidents
- Development of management schemes for fisheries protected areas
- Waste management and best practices to address plastic pollution
Mixed Media for Environmental Conservation
Gain experience in scientific communication outreach and in raising awareness. Remote interns aid the research team on site helping create content for raising awareness among the public using different platforms. Communicating scientific findings to a non-scientific audience is key for global environmental conservation actions. Projects are tailored according to the intern’s fields of interest and experience and can focus on one or more of the following:
- Developing infographics, posters, animations, scientific illustrations and other material
- Creation of engaging content for social media, for education and for raising awareness purposes
- Media and public relations
