In July 2026 CIIP held an in-person international seminar in Okinawa running 1-3 July 2026, co-organised with colleagues at the University of the Ryukyus, and the SEA-EU European University of the Seas represented by Prof. Monika Szuba (University of Gdańsk).
The Ocean of Life seminar explored cultural, intellectual, and environmental challenges, including the impact of colonialism on oceanic exploration, the ocean as a source of myth and identity, and the role of sea narratives in the modern global economy and ecology.
CIIP co-directors presented work on 'Diving into the Wreck: The Ocean as Museum, and Heritage Beyond Salvage', and
conducted a University as Infrastructure mapping workshop adapted for the coastal university context, 'University as Infrastructure: Undersea Cables and Reliance on Big Tech'.
Megen de Bruin-Molé presented a paper “Diving into the Wreck: The Ocean as Museum, and Heritage Beyond Salvage” 
Kwame Phillips and Alexandra Anikina shared a short version of the University as Infrastructure mapping workshop adapted for coastal university context, "University as Infrastructure: Undersea Cables and Reliance on Big Tech" 
Megen's map 
The most artistic anonymous contribution to the workshop
(Images from the CIIP Instagram account)
We also participated in student presentations of practice-based work.
(Image by Naoko Uchima)
For more information see the event website: https://international-seminar-ocean.my.canva.site