Setting Sail

When Erin Bryant ’94 was a 21-year-old geology major, she spent a semester doing scientific research at sea.

“I saw a career pathway materialize before my eyes,” she says.

After graduation, she decided to go back to school for a combined degree in marine environmental law and marine policy at the University of Rhode Island. In 2012, she joined the Sea Education Association (SEA) as a marine policy professor, becoming the academic dean in January.

Programs include climate change and coastal resilience, whale conservation, ocean plastics, biodiversity, and coral reef conservation. Each begins with training in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, before setting sail on a tall ship, where students conduct research and act as the crew.

Although it began with research opportunities for science-focused students in 1971, SEA now offers programs for every major from the sciences to the humanities.

It always welcomed colleagues and academics as well, but last fall the organization took that a step further, introducing a “lifelong learners” program. The weeklong excursions will take place every winter and are open to anyone from any career or experience level who reaches out to SEA and expresses interest.

“An adult who is outside of the college years is more able to appreciate and see the whole program,” Bryant says. “How exciting for someone to just soak that experience up without having responsibilities beyond the responsibility of being a teammate.”

One of Bryant’s favorite parts of being at sea is standing watch at the bow of the ship, seeing dolphins below or the “glowing majesty” of bioluminescence and stars. Her other favorite part is seeing people get to experience that for the first time.

“It helps you understand your connection to the world and how beautiful it is,” Bryant says.