Women in Marine Governance: Kateryna Urbanovych of the North Sea Advisory Council

#WIMG is a PERMAGOV campaign designed to celebrate the role of women in marine governance. Case studies take the form of short interviews where participants share their background, interests, ideas and recommendations for improving the way in which ocean affairs are managed. Each story is unique. By spotlighting our WIMG stars, we hope that readers from all walks of life will be inspired to make their contribution in support of a sustainable ocean. Featured in this case study is Kateryna Urbanovych, Information Officer & Assistant to Secretary-General at the North Sea Advisory Council.

Current job

The North Sea Advisory Council is a stakeholder-led advisory body which regularly advises the European Commission and the North Sea Member States on sustainable fishing & other operations in the North Sea. Established to regionalize fisheries management back in 2004, the AC brings together crucial North Sea basin players (industry, trade unions, NGOs, recreational fisheries reps) with the aim of fostering dialogue and exchange on current topics of importance. When asked, I often find myself describing the NSAC as an intermediary, an entity on the intersection between policy and society, which also (through recurring collaboration) engages with scientists, to keep members informed on the most recent developments in marine natural and social sciences.

Study and career path

My academic journey started with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science at the University of Milan. There, I engaged with a large variety of disciplines, from zoology to paleontology – all equally fascinating. However, one subject stood out the most: conservation of marine resources. While I developed a deep interest in the marine environment, I simultaneously came to understand the complexity involved in managing it, realizing that focus should not just be on the fish and other marine organisms, but on the marine ecosystem as a whole, which also includes its users. This realization directed my next academic choice, a MS’s in Marine Resource Management, with a specialization in Marine Governance. There, I was able to complement my acquired biological background with perspectives from social sciences, economics, and policy-making. During the MSc, both my thesis and my internship research deepened my understanding of stakeholder engagement in resource management.

After completing my MS’s study, I briefly worked as Office Manager at the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, where I picked-up more practical and administrative skills that are more tricky to learn at university but certainly not less useful in the “real world”. After some months at the ASC, I learned of an opening at the NSAC, and with some (actually a lot of) luck, I was hired. I have been working at the AC for a little over 2 years and am still very grateful to have been given this opportunity at such an early moment in my career. It is truly one of the best spaces to be exposed to novel policy, knowledge and science developments that concern the marine world, and to interact and learn from the best experts in the fields.

Marine governance

First and foremost, I believe that marine governance should be bottom-up, listening and responsive to the needs of the marine ecosystem, and thus also of its users. In defining goals and objectives, an integrated, collaborative and cross-sectoral approach is essential to ensure objectives are coherent and fit for reality. At the same time, there is a need for governance approaches that are flexible and able to adapt to new emerging realities (either environmental or political ones). Lastly, marine governance must be based on the best (available) science, while embracing the uncertainty inherent in researching a part of the world that is still largely unknown. While I know that my idea of marine governance might be slightly utopic, I do believe that we are on the right track to achieve sound, transparent and inclusive marine governance.

Recommendations

Since the beginning of my academic and career journey, most of my experiences in the marine sphere have been positive and insightful. What I am especially grateful for, however, are the inspiring, extremely knowledgeable, and dedicated women that I have met along the way who have motivated me (and continue doing so) to develop my curiosity, encouraged me to remain open to different perspectives, and reminded me of the importance of standing my ground when necessary.

Marine governance is a complex, but extremely fascinating field. I believe that persistence and openness are essential not only to enter it, but to remain and grow within it. At its core, marine governance is about people – and because people are inherently diverse, their views and values will inevitably differ. No perspective is less valid than another. When these perspectives clash, persistence becomes crucial: it's what allows us to navigate disagreements to ultimately reach a point where everyone may be equally dissatisfied. That, I’ve come to understand, is when you know you have reached a good compromise.

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