Oceanswell (Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation and education research organisation) Founder and Marine biologist Dr. Asha de Vos has made an impressive name for herself in her field both, locally and globally. She is recognised for her talents, and has been awarded many times for her work on protecting our oceans.
Dr. de Vos recently announced that she would be initiating a mentorship programme for marine scientists specifically in marine conservation, marine education, marine outreach and related fields.
Brunch spoke to her on this programme and what it entails.
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Photo ©️ Peter Kindersley/British Council[/caption]
Commenting on why she decided on implementing this mentorship programme, she explained that over the years, she has done a lot of informal mentoring via Zoom, Skype, email, phone calls, and one-on-one meetings. She added that those individuals are from across the world, from a range of ages and backgrounds, and working with a series of different challenges. Dr. de Vos has also done more formal longer term mentoring for National Geographic Explorers and young researchers. “I enjoy the opportunity to share my experiences and expertise to help others unearth their own potential and enable them to grow and excel,” she said, on why she began mentoring.
Talking about this particular mentorship programme, she explained that last year when Scuba Diving magazine named her their Sea Hero of the Year, she thought she would share her Award (sponsored by Seiko watches of America) by using it to build a more formal mentorship programme specifically to support Sri Lankans working in, or studying, marine sciences (particularly marine conservation), innovation for the oceans, marine education and outreach, generation conservation, and related fields. Her commendable work as an ocean educator and pioneer of blue whale research within the northern Indian Ocean has led her to be named “Sea Hero of 2020” by Scuba Diving magazine and Seiko Watch of America late last year. In a conversation with Brunch previously on this achievement, she had commented that this award was given to her not just for my work, but for changing the way her conservation works and bringing in diversity while being more inclusive. “It’s a massive honour because I’m incredibly passionate about my work. I’m glad I got to participate in the betterment of the world.” She was also graced with an award of $ 5,000 from Seiko that she will now use to run a three-day residential field course in marine conservation for students who might otherwise never have the opportunity to experience the marine environment in person.
Explaining how the mentorship programme would work, she commented: “I will select two applicants who I can assist best based on their application details, my expertise and the clarity of what they need help on. I will then provide 6x1 hour mentorship calls over six months.” During these calls, she further noted that they will be working together to further understand the area they wish to work on, identify next steps that they can take or ways they may consider tackling the roadblocks they encounter. Between calls, they will work independently to make forward progress based on our discussions. As a mentor, she added that her role is to guide individuals to achieve what they choose to achieve: “There are no magic potions or solutions, it will take work but I have worked with dedicated individuals who have achieved their goals and more so I am hopeful.”
Ultimately, my goal has always been to grow the field in Sri Lanka and provide opportunities to others, many which I never had – this is one such attempt on my part.
Applications are open now and will remain open until 16 July 2021. You can register on: https://forms.gle/NKS2oatG9qL4NhQv9
Main Image ©️ Spencer Lowell/WIRED UK
Photo ©️ Peter Kindersley/British Council[/caption]
Commenting on why she decided on implementing this mentorship programme, she explained that over the years, she has done a lot of informal mentoring via Zoom, Skype, email, phone calls, and one-on-one meetings. She added that those individuals are from across the world, from a range of ages and backgrounds, and working with a series of different challenges. Dr. de Vos has also done more formal longer term mentoring for National Geographic Explorers and young researchers. “I enjoy the opportunity to share my experiences and expertise to help others unearth their own potential and enable them to grow and excel,” she said, on why she began mentoring.
Talking about this particular mentorship programme, she explained that last year when Scuba Diving magazine named her their Sea Hero of the Year, she thought she would share her Award (sponsored by Seiko watches of America) by using it to build a more formal mentorship programme specifically to support Sri Lankans working in, or studying, marine sciences (particularly marine conservation), innovation for the oceans, marine education and outreach, generation conservation, and related fields. Her commendable work as an ocean educator and pioneer of blue whale research within the northern Indian Ocean has led her to be named “Sea Hero of 2020” by Scuba Diving magazine and Seiko Watch of America late last year. In a conversation with Brunch previously on this achievement, she had commented that this award was given to her not just for my work, but for changing the way her conservation works and bringing in diversity while being more inclusive. “It’s a massive honour because I’m incredibly passionate about my work. I’m glad I got to participate in the betterment of the world.” She was also graced with an award of $ 5,000 from Seiko that she will now use to run a three-day residential field course in marine conservation for students who might otherwise never have the opportunity to experience the marine environment in person.
Explaining how the mentorship programme would work, she commented: “I will select two applicants who I can assist best based on their application details, my expertise and the clarity of what they need help on. I will then provide 6x1 hour mentorship calls over six months.” During these calls, she further noted that they will be working together to further understand the area they wish to work on, identify next steps that they can take or ways they may consider tackling the roadblocks they encounter. Between calls, they will work independently to make forward progress based on our discussions. As a mentor, she added that her role is to guide individuals to achieve what they choose to achieve: “There are no magic potions or solutions, it will take work but I have worked with dedicated individuals who have achieved their goals and more so I am hopeful.”
Ultimately, my goal has always been to grow the field in Sri Lanka and provide opportunities to others, many which I never had – this is one such attempt on my part.
Applications are open now and will remain open until 16 July 2021. You can register on: https://forms.gle/NKS2oatG9qL4NhQv9
Main Image ©️ Spencer Lowell/WIRED UK