OIST x WPI-AIMEC (Tohoku U & JAMSTEC) Joint Workshop “Changing Marine Ecosystems: Biogeography of Habitat Shifts and Adaptation to Oceanographic Variability” was held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) on Thursday, November 20, and Friday, November 21.

The workshop allowed WPI-AIMEC members from various research sites across Japan to come together in one environment, discuss their latest research, and make new connections. The 105 participants included researchers from Tohoku University, JAMSTEC, University of Hawaii, OIST, University of Ryukyu, Nagasaki University, and Toyota Konpon Institute. A majority of presentations were given by early-career researchers who gave them the opportunity to shine, with ample time for discussions for future collaborations and joint funding applications.

The two-day workshop had many lively discussions, new friendships, and new ideas for solving the grand challenges faced by the marine environment and ecosystem. The second day’s bold idea brainstorming session led to interesting solutions for research sample collection, plastic waste management, and the marine ecosystem.

OIST and WPI-AIMEC (Tohoku University and JAMSTEC) have a long history of collaboration in marine science research. This event was the 5^th joint workshop between Tohoku University and OIST since our last meeting in 2021. As we continue this relationship, we identified current research issues, potential solutions, and future collaborations among members as climate change threatens our marine ecosystem.