The Thunderbird Ocean Diplomacy Lab advances scholarship, thought leadership, and education at the intersection of oceans, climate change, and global governance.
Overview
Ocean diplomacy is increasingly vital in today’s world. Climate change is melting polar ice, intensifying storms, shifting fisheries, and opening new shipping routes, while geopolitical competition, economic activity, and environmental pressures are accelerating across ocean spaces. These changes are transforming the ocean into a central arena for global cooperation and contestation alike. Because no single country can manage these challenges alone, diplomacy plays a critical role in shaping how states, communities, and institutions respond to rapid ocean change.
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What We Do
The Lab conducts interdisciplinary research on emerging ocean risks and governance challenges, develops business- and policy-relevant insights for decision makers, and contributes to public debates on ocean futures.
We are committed to educating and mentoring students through experiential learning, collaborative research, and engagement with real-world policy problems.
The Lab also works closely with practitioners, community partners, and external stakeholders to foster dialogue, build networks, and translate research into actionable ideas.
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The opportunity
Despite growing pressures on the ocean, governance and diplomacy often lag behind the pace of change. Existing institutions struggle to manage overlapping environmental, economic, and security challenges, while rising competition risks crowding out cooperation. The Ocean Diplomacy Lab is dedicated to identifying shared solutions in this complex landscape—solutions that recognize both conflict and cooperation as enduring features of ocean politics. By bringing together research, education, and engagement, the Lab helps build the knowledge, relationships, and trust needed to turn shared vulnerability into shared governance, and to ensure that the ocean remains a source of stability, resilience, and collective benefit rather than division.
The O’Dowd Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ocean Diplomacy and Leadership, made possible by Thunderbird alumnus Joe O’Dowd (’81) and his wife, Diana Maria O’Dowd, empowers cutting-edge research and leadership at the intersection of ocean governance, diplomacy and the blue economy. This donor‑driven initiative positions Thunderbird at the forefront of sustainable ocean solutions, supporting the inaugural fellow in launching the Ocean Diplomacy Lab and forging strategic partnerships that bridge science, policy and global collaboration. With this fellowship, the O’Dowds are catalyzing a new generation of researchers and leaders dedicated to shaping international frameworks that protect marine ecosystems, drive innovation and ensure long‑term prosperity for coastal communities and global stakeholders.
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Featured News
01/16/26
Global power struggles over the ocean’s finite resources call for creative diplomacy
The Conversation
Oceans shape everyday life in powerful ways. They cover 70% of the planet, carry 90% of global trade, and support millions of jobs and the diets of...
Academic Programs
Global Impact and Engagement
Ocean Diplomacy
10/01/25
Thunderbird at ASU launches fellowship focused on sustainable ocean governance
ASU News
The world’s oceans cover more than 70% of the planet, driving weather, regulating climate, feeding billions and providing untapped economic potential...
Ocean Diplomacy
Academic Programs
Global Impact and Engagement
Philanthropy Initiatives
Joseph O’Dowd, a 1981 Thunderbird graduate, shares his journey from building an international career to becoming a passionate advocate for ocean diplomacy and conservation. Inspired by his early experiences as a scuba diver and member of the Cousteau Society, Joe and his wife established the O’Dowd Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ocean Diplomacy and Leadership. Their gift supports Thunderbird’s mission to lead in critical global issues like the blue economy and ocean futures. In this video, Joe reflects on why Thunderbird is uniquely positioned to make a difference—and urges fellow alumni to re-engage and contribute to the school’s mission.
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