FROM THE TOS PRESIDENT

Paula Bontempi

Dear TOS Members:

Greetings everyone. To all of our US-based federal employees out there, know that the TOS community is here to support you. In such a time of uncertainty and the politization of science, it is even more important that we stand together for the integrity of our work.

In that light, today I would like to talk with you all about Promotion and Tenure (P&T) practices worldwide. One of the TOS Strategic Plan Objectives is to “Develop Policy for Science and Science for Policy.” One of the Goals under this Objective is to “catalyze pathways to equity in promotion and tenure.” As a result, the TOS Council members developing the implementation approach for this Goal have been talking a lot about P&T, what is working, what isn’t, and our respective institutional experiences. TOS membership comes from a range of institutions—aquaria, nonprofit, government, industry, higher education, philanthropy, etc. So what is the pathway for promotion, and is it equitable? What has been your experience? TOS would like to hear from you.

This month, TOS will release a brief survey to find out about your institution’s processes and policies for P&T. We are also talking about setting up virtual listening sessions to gather information. The goal is to identify and author a “Best Practices” document for Promotion and Tenure for member institutions, working through the best ideas and concepts, policies, and procedures, to modernize P&T approaches.

Most of the surveys I have located online show people are largely dissatisfied with pathways to promotion and tenure at a range of institution types. Major issues include a lack of transparency, fairness/equity, and clarity on evaluation criteria, with unclear expectations. While achieving a promotion or tenure is a career highlight for many, the administrative burden and timeline associated with promotion or tenure can make one feel undervalued and be riddled with systemic bias and inequity.

I welcome your feedback on how TOS might better mentor our membership through their entire careers while navigating P&T. Thank you, all, for your help and attention, and please be on the lookout for the survey when it comes out. I reinforce TOS’s commitment to build on existing best practices for P&T, and humanize the process equitably.

Thank you for being TOS members!

Sincerely,
Paula

The TOS Council election is being conducted electronically. All TOS members were sent an email message from The Oceanography Society containing a unique ballot link with a random, secret access key. If you are a TOS member and did not receive this message, please contact Jenny Ramarui, TOS Executive Director ([email protected] or 301-251-7708) to receive voting instructions.

The Oceanography Society thanks the Councilors who are rotating off for their time, dedication, and valuable contributions to the organization!

• Anna Michel, Applied Technology Councilor
• Jun Nishioka, Chemical Oceanography Councilor
• Sheri White, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Councilor

All votes must be cast by 5:00 ET October 30, 2025.

One of the most meaningful TOS programs is celebrating our colleagues’ accomplishments through the TOS Honors program. Please take this opportunity to recognize a colleague, mentor, team, or peer for their exceptional achievements and contributions to the ocean sciences. Nominations are due October 31, 2025.

Membership dues enable the Society to maintain a robust Honors program, produce Oceanography  magazine, host member activities at the biennial Ocean Sciences Meeting, convene events of community interest, and support the efforts of the Council in implementing the Strategic Plan. 

Membership renewal notices were sent last week, and are due by December 31, 2025. Please contact Jenny Ramarui if you have any questions about your membership status.

We look forward to welcoming you to Ocean Optics XXVII for a week of insight, collaboration, and connection. This event brings together a diverse ocean optics community, including oceanographers, limnologists, optical engineers, Earth observation scientists, resource managers, and policy professionals from across the globe, all united by a shared passion for optics in aquatic environments.

Ocean Optics XXVII will be held at two exceptional venues located in the heart of Ghent, Belgium. Ghent’s vibrant cafes, hotels, and cultural attractions, create the perfect setting for meaningful engagement.

Join us in Glasgow, Scotland for OSM26. Discover the latest findings across diverse fields, from marine ecosystems to climate change impacts. Connect with peers, leading experts, and organizations dedicated to ocean sustainability. Engage with 100+ scientific organizations and ocean-focused companies through exhibitions, partnerships, and sponsorships.

REGISTRATION. Be sure to register by January 14, 2026 to take advantage of early bird rates.

HOUSING. Exclusive discounted hotel rates are available on a first-come, first-served basis.