Dr. Chiara Certomá of Sapienza Università di Roma has released a new book, “Blue Kinships. An Exploration of Society & the Ocean,” published by Palgrave MacMillan, NY. Edited by Dr. Certomá, the book arrives at a pivotal time, championing a paradigm shift in how we understand our connection to the sea. It argues that technological solutions alone are insufficient to address the ocean's health crises, urging instead for a multidisciplinary approach that considers the ocean's socio-cultural influence and society's impact on it1.
The book is an essential contribution to the emergent field of marine social science, reframing the ocean not as a mere resource, but as a complex and relational space vital to the future of the Anthropocene2. It provides a platform for both theoretical analysis and case studies from social and natural research, placing the ocean at the core of all global health considerations3. The volume calls for scholars, policymakers, and artists to adopt participatory, emotionally grounded, and transdisciplinary methods to achieve ocean sustainability4.
Overview of the Volume
The book is structured into two main parts,
"Thinking the Ocean" and "Making the Ocean," and offers a reflection on how to shape a sustainable ocean future5. It provides a social consideration of the socio-cultural meaning of the ocean and explores multiple forms of attachment—human, non-human, and more-than-human—with the sea6.
Part 1: Thinking the Ocean
This section presents a collection of theoretical inquiries into our relationship with the marine environment7. Chapters explore themes such as building relationships for marine social sciences, the turbulent materiality of the sea, and a focus on oceanic natureculture assemblages like the "Plastisphere"8. It also features a chapter on the visual documentation of this bond in water photography by Giuseppe Lupinacci9.
Part 2: Making the Ocean
The second part of the book shifts to creative praxis and grounded case studies10. It highlights practical applications of art and research, including:
- Citizen Science and Ocean Literacy: Bridging the gap between society and the ocean11.
- Street Art and Citizen Science: Connecting people and the ocean through creative methods12.
- The Power of Music: Fostering ocean stewardship through sound13.
- Collaborative Processes: Documenting the behind-the-scenes work of making "Blue Kinships" visible14.
- SciArt Projects: Developing a unique approach between storytelling and science15.
A Multidisciplinary Call to Action
The book is enriched with a video reportage titled “Blue Kinship. Documenting Ocean Relationships,” produced by Raw-News Visual Production Agency as part of the PartArt4OW project. This video serves as a supplementary material to the book, further illustrating how visual documentation can create transformative knowledge and drive engaged research.
"Blue Kinships" urges us to move beyond conventional approaches and cultivate a deep, socio-cultural, and emotional connection with the sea. The volume is available globally in both ebook (EPUB and PDF) and hardcover formats, with additional multimedia content accessible via the SN More Media App16.