The new teaching and research building coming to life at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in Taroona has been formally named The Ocean.
Chosen through a collaborative process involving IMAS staff and students, the name reflects both the activities that will take place within the building and its unique setting on the edge of one of the world's most important marine environments.
Professor Sean Tracey, Interim Co-Executive Director, IMAS, and Centre Head – Fisheries and Aquaculture, said the naming marked an important milestone in the transformation of the IMAS Taroona campus.
"The Ocean will be a place where students, researchers, industry partners and communities come together to learn, discover and collaborate,” Professor Tracey said.
“The name reflects who we are and the work we do, while recognising the extraordinary marine environment that surrounds us. I want to thank our staff and student representatives for the thoughtful conversations that helped shape this outcome.”
More than 20 naming suggestions were put forward by the IMAS community.
A Working Group, led by Professor Tracey and Director of Campus Life, Poppy Fay, considered each idea against the University’s naming procedure, exploring themes including marine environments, connection and gathering, history and mythology, and functional naming approaches.
“The Ocean continued to stand out throughout the process,” Poppy said.
“The strongest names feel as though they could only belong to one place. The Ocean captures the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines IMAS and reflects the unique experience of studying and researching marine and Antarctic science in Tasmania, where the ocean is not something distant to observe but part of everyday learning, with the Derwent, Storm Bay and the Southern Ocean shaping the landscape beyond."
Construction of The Ocean is continuing to take shape and is due for completion this year. Follow site progress via the live camera feed.