University Partnerships
Connecting research, systems thinking and leadership
Universities are well positioned to develop new forms of professional education, extend external engagement and translate research into learning that supports better decisions across business, policy and society. Concurrently, organisations are looking for leadership development that helps them understand climate and nature-related risk, navigate uncertainty and respond to interconnected environmental, economic and social challenges.
The Ocean Literacy Project works with universities, institutes and executive education teams to co-develop distinctive programmes in ocean systems literacy, sustainability leadership and systems thinking. Our role is to help universities turn complex environmental knowledge into executive and professional learning that is relevant and commercially viable.
The opportunity for universities
Executive education is becoming an increasingly important route for universities seeking to diversify income, strengthen external partnerships and extend the impact of research beyond traditional degree programmes. Climate, nature, finance, supply chains, public health and leadership are often treated as separate domains, even though decision-makers increasingly need to understand how these systems interact.
This creates an opportunity for universities to develop executive education that helps leaders make sense of complexity, risk and long-term resilience.
We support universities to build programmes that are:
- interdisciplinary
- research-informed
- externally relevant
- suitable for professional and executive audiences
- adaptable across sectors
- aligned with climate, nature and sustainability priorities
Our distinctive focus
Our work is built around a clear but often overlooked insight:
The ocean is critical in climate stability, food security, global trade, infrastructure, biodiversity, public health and economic resilience.
Ocean systems literacy offers a powerful way to help leaders understand interdependence, systemic risk and long-term decision-making.
This makes it highly relevant to universities developing programmes in:
sustainability leadership
climate and nature-related risk
systems thinking
resilience and adaptation
What we bring
We bring together expertise in:
ocean and climate
sustainability education
executive learning design
interdisciplinary curriculum development
systems thinking
leadership under uncertainty
public engagement and knowledge exchange
university strategy and external partnership development
This work is informed by senior experience in higher education leadership, sustainability strategy, curriculum design and interdisciplinary program development. We understand both sides of the partnership: the academic need for rigour and credibility, and the market need for clarity, relevance and practical application.
Partnership opportunities
We work flexibly with universities and institutes to develop programmes that fit their strategic priorities, audiences and existing strengths.
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Co-developed short courses or certificate programmes for professionals, leaders and organisations seeking to build capability in ocean systems literacy, sustainability and strategic decision-making.
Possible formats include:
six-week online executive programmes
short CPD courses
leadership intensives
summer schools or accelerator programmes
hybrid or blended learning models
cohort-based professional education
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Tailored executive education for organisations, sectors or leadership teams.
These programmes can be designed around specific organisational priorities such as:
climate and nature-related risk
resilience and adaptation
supply chains and infrastructure
sustainable finance and investment
regional sustainability transitions
public sector decision-making
understanding complexity, interdependence and planetary stability
leadership in complex systems
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We can support universities that want to develop new externally facing education offers but need additional capacity or specialist expertise.
This may include:
programme design
curriculum architecture
co-teaching or facilitation
strategic positioning
market-facing copy and proposition development
pilot programme development
knowledge exchange activity
interdisciplinary funding bids
Example programme themes
The Ocean and Global Risk
For leaders who need to understand how the ocean influences climate, food, trade, infrastructure and economic resilience.
Leadership in the Age of Complexity
For professionals navigating uncertainty, long-term risk and competing organisational priorities.
Climate, Nature and Strategic Decision-Making
For organisations seeking to understand the connections between the environment and strategic choices.
From Compliance to Resilience
For teams moving beyond reporting frameworks towards adaptation, systems awareness and long-term organisational resilience.
Ocean Systems Literacy for Sustainable Finance and Investment
For financial institutions, investors and professional advisers seeking to understand ocean-related risk and opportunity.
Who this is for?
We are interested in working with:
executive education teams
sustainability institutes
business schools
climate and environment centres
leadership academies
innovation and knowledge exchange teams
universities developing professional education portfolios
regional universities seeking distinctive sustainability offers
global institutions working across climate, ocean, nature and leadership
How we work
We begin by understanding the university’s strategic priorities. From there, we can help shape courses that draw on existing institutional expertise while adding specialist capability in ocean systems literacy, sustainability leadership and applied systems learning. Our aim is to help work with existing university expertise and design distinctive learning offers that speak to the needs of leaders and organisations now.
Partnership models may include:
co-branded executive education
guest teaching or expert contribution
programme co-design
pilot short courses
custom organisational delivery
affiliate or visiting expert roles
joint funding or knowledge exchange activities
Build a distinctive executive education offer
The next generation of executive education will need to help leaders understand complexity, rather than compliance.
We work with universities to develop executive and professional learning that connects research, systems thinking and decision-making in ways that are intellectually credible and practically useful.
