Call for Applications: Scientific SHE — Second Cohort of Mentees

I. Context and background

The SHE (“See Her Exceed”) Global Mentorship Programme was established under the International Seabed Authority’s Women in Deep-Sea Research (WIDSR) project, in follow-up to the voluntary commitment registered by the Authority at the 2017 United Nations Ocean Conference to promote women’s empowerment in deep-sea related affairs.

Launched in 2023, the pilot cohort paired six mentees from African States with a multidisciplinary group of mentors from academia, research institutions and industry, serving on a pro bono basis. Over a two-year cycle, the pilot cohort delivered three knowledge outputs: a scientific synthesis of more than 430 publications and a policy-oriented study identifying barriers and opportunities for women’s participation in at-sea activities. The latter formed the basis of the SHE Gender Compact, a voluntary framework to promote the safe participation of women in at seas activities. The pilot cohort concluded successfully in December 2025, with its achievements recognized through a high-level breakfast session, an official graduation ceremony, and a webinar attended by more than 160 participants from over 35 countries.

Building on these outcomes, the Secretary-General designated SHE a flagship initiative within the Authority’s Action Plan for Marine Scientific Research and its Capacity Development Strategy. The second phase of SHE was subsequently announced during a high-level side event at the 31st Session.

The programme’s second phase broadens its scope, diversifies its areas of engagement and strengthens its governance, and is structured around two complementary pathways: Scientific SHE and SHE Law of the Sea. The current call for application focusses on the scientific SHE.

II. About Scientific SHE

Scientific SHE will focuses on cumulative impacts in the marine environment — an area of strategic importance in international ocean governance. Several definitions for cumulative impacts exist. In the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) they are defined as “the combined and incremental impacts resulting from different activities, including known past and present and reasonably foreseeable activities, or from the repetition of similar activities over time, and the consequences of climate change, ocean acidification and related impacts”.[1] Assessing those impacts in a holistic manner through cumulative impact assessments (CIAs) is essential to ensure sustainable use and protection of the marine environment.[2] CIAs take into account diverse anthropogenic and natural stressors and analyse how these may interact to produce compounded impacts on ecosystems. The goal is to detect and understand significant ecological changes that may not be evident when stressors are considered in isolation.

Withing ISA context a theoretical framework based on qualitative ecosystem models has been developed to explore cumulative impact scenarios particularly for polymetallic sulphides in the framework of the development of a Regional Environmental Management Plan (REMP) for the Mid Atlantic Ridge.[3] Additionally, CIA is an integral component of environmental impact assessment (EIA), and several ISA contractors have already undertaken preliminary efforts to assess cumulative impacts as part of their environmental assessment activities. ISA is undertaking further efforts to strengthen the scientific basis for cumulative impact assessment (CIA), with a view to progressively developing guidelines and a practical toolbox for CIA, with a particular focus on areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The scientific SHE will support scientists working at the science-policy interface and equip them to including in undertaking cumulative impact assessments. Through this call, the Authority invites applications for mentees to join the second cohort of Scientific SHE.

III. What the Programme Offers

• One-on-one mentoring with a mentor drawn from academia, research institutions or industry, serving on a pro bono basis
• A facilitated, remote mentorship cycle coordinated by the Secretariat
• The opportunity to contribute to a collective knowledge output on cumulative impacts in the marine environment, developed together with fellow mentees
• Visibility at high-level institutional events of the Authority, including sessions of the Council and Assembly
• Membership in a Community of Practice on cumulative impact assessment
• Access to the ISA alumni network

The programme will run for one year and does not require a full-time commitment. Mentees will be expected to meet individually with their respective mentors at least once a month, participate in group meetings at least every two months, independently work through relevant course material and literature, and develop one case study over the course of the programme.

IV. Who Should Apply

The scientific SHE targets female scientific advisors, researchers, and professionals who have technical understanding of environmental impact assessment preferably in marine environments. Female axperts who provide technical support for their countries’ involvement in intergovernmental or national processes in this domain are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates should be representatives of developing Member States of ISA and experts from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) strongly encouraged to apply. Nominees should be proficient in English.

Additionally, applicants should:

• Hold a graduate degree (or equivalent professional experience) in marine science, environmental science, or a related discipline relevant to cumulative impact assessment in the marine environment
• Have a demonstrated interest or emerging experience in the science-policy interface, including engagement with international ocean governance processes
• Are able to commit to the full duration of the mentorship cycle, including virtual meetings and collaborative knowledge-output activities
• Have a sufficient working knowledge of English, the working language of the programme

V. Selection Process

• Applications are reviewed by the SHE Secretariat, with technical input from the SHE Legal and Technical Commission support group
• Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for clarification prior to final selection
• Selected mentees are matched with mentors based on thematic interests, professional background and stated preferences
• All applicants are notified of the outcome by email

VI. How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following by: 31 October 2026

• A completed application form
• A curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
• A letter of motivation (maximum 500 words), outlining the applicant’s interest in cumulative impact assessment and the science-policy interface, and what she hopes to gain from the mentorship

Applications should be submitted to this online form. 

VII. Key Dates

VIII. Contact

For questions regarding this call, please contact tdixon-gayle@isa.org.jm, nwouters@isa.org.jm

[1] BBNJ Agreement, Article 1, para 6

[2] Jones, 2016, Cumulative effects assessment: theoretical underpinnings and big problems, Environmental Reviews. 24(2): 187-204.

[3] ISA. 2022. Technical Study 28: Regional environmental assessment of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Available at: https://www.isa.org.jm/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ISA_Technical_Study_28.pdf.