Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester visits the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

By Rosemarie McMahon

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester visited the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (ASU BIOS) in recognition of its role in international ocean research and education. The visit highlighted ASU BIOS’s vital work not only in the surrounding Sargasso Sea but also across the wider Atlantic. It also underscored the institute’s far-reaching educational partnerships, which for decades have brought undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral scholars to Bermuda from leading universities around the world. 

The Duchess was hosted by Craig Carlson, the recently appointed president and director of ASU BIOS, who welcomed her to the historic campus. The visit emphasized ASU BIOS’s role as part of Arizona State University’s Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, reflecting its dual mission of advancing cutting-edge research while supporting local education and community engagement. 

Carlson described it as “an opportunity to celebrate our century-long legacy and its evolving role in responding to global environmental challenges.” He added that ASU BIOS “not only advances research but forges connections between Bermuda, the UK, Canada, US and beyond” thus, adding “our campus is a hub for ocean science that takes strength from its international networks and long-term commitment to educating the next generation of marine scientists.”

During her tour, the Duchess met with faculty, scientists, students, and education leaders who presented a broad range of programs. These included the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) and Hydrostation S, two of the longest-running ocean observation programs in the world, which have tracked changes in ocean temperature, chemistry, and biology for decades. These time series are sustained by the research vessel, Atlantic Explorer. She also learned about the Oleander Program, collaboration with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and BIOS-SCOPE, one of ASU BIOS’s largest international collaborations investigating microbiology and biogeochemistry of the oceans.

The Duchess was accompanied by His Excellency Andrew Murdoch, Governor of Bermuda and Honorary Chancellor of BIOS, who remarked, “ASU BIOS is a world-class institution, and this visit is an opportunity to showcase the incredible work that is done in Bermuda. The research done here is of global significance. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful facility on our shores, providing an opportunity for young Bermudians to learn about the Ocean and how to protect it.” With its strong network of international collaborations, ASU BIOS serves as a bridge between Arizona State University and students worldwide seeking experiential learning opportunities in marine science.

The Duchess also observed educational outreach first-hand. Through Ocean Academy, ASU BIOS has provided hands-on STEM training to over 25,700 young Bermudians since 2010, building scientific literacy and local capacity. Since 1976, the Bermuda Program has supported over 300 local students through internships and summer research fellowships. Many of these local learners have gone on to careers in science, insurance, policy, and education, both in Bermuda and abroad. “We were honored to welcome the Duchess and have our student leaders demonstrate the impact of our educational programs. Ocean Academy is building local capacity in STEM, preparing Bermudians to thrive as researchers and ocean stewards,” said Director of Education and Community Engagement, Kaitlin Noyes.

For decades, ASU BIOS has enjoyed a special relationship with universities across the UK and Canada. Thanks to philanthropic support, over 200 university-level students have travelled to ASU BIOS’s campus from the UK and Canada to take part in BIOS’s educational opportunities. Andrew Peters, director of education for university programs, noted that “the leverage we have with Canadian and UK academic institutions is unprecedented and increasingly vital as education addresses more global challenges.”

Founded in 1903, ASU BIOS has grown into a world-class institution with research spanning marine biology, chemistry, physics, climate science, and environmental monitoring. The Duchess’s visit celebrated this rich history while affirming ASU BIOS’s continuing leadership in ocean science at a moment when global attention to climate, marine health, and biodiversity has never been more urgent.