Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University has established the O’Dowd Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ocean Diplomacy and Leadership, funded by Thunderbird alumnus Joe O’Dowd and his wife, Diana Maria O’Dowd.
The O’Dowd Fellowship will help shape international frameworks for sustainable ocean use, protect ecosystems and unlock new opportunities in fields such as trade, security and biotechnology. From influencing international treaties on maritime law to guiding policies on sustainable ocean industries, the fellowship aims to have a direct impact on both global decision-making and local communities dependent on ocean resources.
“The O’Dowd Fellowship represents the very essence of Thunderbird’s mission: preparing global leaders to tackle humanity’s most complex challenges,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird at ASU. “By focusing on ocean diplomacy and the blue economy, we are equipping the next generation to protect our planet’s most vital resource while advancing innovation, cooperation and sustainable prosperity for communities worldwide.”
The O’Dowd Fellowship will draw on Thunderbird’s strengths in global diplomacy and international trade, while connecting with the School of Ocean Futures at ASU’s Rob Walton College of Global Futures and broader sustainability initiatives.
“The O’Dowd Fellowship creates a powerful bridge between science, policy and leadership,” said Susanne Neuer, founding director of the School of Ocean Futures. “This fellowship will help shape the future of ocean governance, sustainability and the blue economy. We’re proud to collaborate with Thunderbird in advancing this vital work.”
Hossain Ahmed Taufiq has been selected as the inaugural O’Dowd Postdoctoral Fellow. In this role, he will help establish the Ocean Diplomacy Lab, a global research initiative dedicated to advancing practical and cooperative solutions for sustainable ocean governance. His work will also focus on building strategic partnerships across ASU and with external organizations — including Semester at Sea — to create impactful collaborations and expand opportunities for global experiential learning.
“This is seed funding,” said O’Dowd. “It’s the beginning of something much bigger. Others can take this further, and that would be the best possible outcome.”
“I wish people knew how critical the blue economy is for all of our futures. The ocean will inevitably be used,” O’Dowd said, “but it must be within a framework that prevents further damage to the environment. That requires global cooperation between nations, industries and innovators. Without it, we face challenges even greater than climate change.
“The Earth is the only home our children and grandchildren will ever have. We need to build awareness and knowledge now, so the next generation of leaders can make better decisions for the future.”
