HUB Ocean launches ODP Academy to build practical ocean data skills
Bergen, 13 October 2026
The first pilot at the University of Bergen brings around
80 marine ecology students onto Ocean Data Platform.
HUB Ocean launches ODP Academy, an education program for students, professionals and ocean leaders designed to build the practical data skills needed to work with ocean data. ODP Academy launched its first pilot at the University of Bergen, where approximately 80 marine ecology students are using Ocean Data Platform as part of their studies this fall.
ODP Academy teaches data workflow management. Students learn these skills on the same types of data and tools they would encounter beyond the classroom, while professionals and ocean leaders learn how to apply these skills in their daily work and decision-making:
• Data management: finding datasets, understanding metadata, and citing and licensing data responsibly
• Data engineering: accessing, preparing and exporting data from different sources so it can be combined and reused
• Data analysis: working with real ocean datasets to answer research questions
• Sharing: publishing findings and data so others can build on them
Kimberly Mathisen, CEO of HUB Ocean
“The ocean community has done remarkable work to collect and open up ocean data, and that work continues. The next challenge is turning it into stronger collaboration, so more people can use that data together.
ODP Academy builds that capability through hands-on work with real data on the platform. We want more people to have ocean data at their fingertips, so they can discover, analyze, combine and share it for greater real-world impact” said Kimberly Mathisen, CEO of HUB Ocean.
80 students, 14 weeks, real data
The first pilot runs in BIO213 Marine Ecology, Environment and Resources, a bachelor-level course at the University of Bergen. Over 14 weeks, approximately 80 students use the ODP in hands-on assignments with real datasets from research, government, and industry. Early feedback from students has been positive.
“Ocean data is becoming increasingly more accessible. It is important that students learn to use real data and become motivated to explore the world with them. ODP Academy is an excellent entry point for students that fits nicely into our teaching plan. The entire cohort in the Marine Ecology course is now certified with their course in downloading and analyzing ocean data.”
HUB Ocean is now in dialog with more universities about bringing ODP Academy to their students.
Connecting the classroom to the ocean data ecosystem
ODP Academy connects learners with the wider ocean data community. Through Ocean Data Platform, students, researchers and professionals work directly with data collected by research institutions, public agencies and industry, all in one place. That lowers the barrier to using data that would otherwise be scattered across many sources.
The exchange works in both directions. Participants learn to use datasets built by others, and they can also publish their own datasets and findings on the platform. Each contribution adds to a shared knowledge base. For universities, this means teaching grounded in real-world data and challenges facing ocean science. For the next generation of ocean professionals, it means graduating with practical experience in the data and tools they will use throughout their careers.
Why ODP Academy
ODP Academy’s pilot in Norway helps researchers, students, and industry professionals build the skills to find, manage, and analyze ocean data. They can draw on Norwegian public sources such as Mareano, alongside global resources such as ProtectedSeas Navigator. HUB Ocean’s Ocean Data Platform also brings previously unavailable company data into reach. Ecowende’s first publicly shared ecological measurements from its offshore wind farm is one of such examples. The wider aim is to shorten the time between collecting ocean data and using it for science.
Contact HUB Ocean
Sive Einarsson, Communications and Projects Advisor
Tel +47 902 89 292
sive.einarsson@oceandata.earth
For Universities, educators and partners:
Julie McCarthy, Industry Account Manager
Tel +47 958 00 304
julie.mccarthy@oceandata.earth