Ocean and Society

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2976-0925

Commentary | Open Access

Understanding and Managing Imposter Phenomenon Within the Marine Sciences: Insights From 314 Years of Cumulative Experience

  • Chris Cvitanovic School of Business, University of New South Wales – Canberra, Australia / Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia
  • Tracy Ainsworth School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia
  • Annette Breckwoldt Programme Area “Societal Impact”, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Germany
  • Amy Diedrich Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Australia / College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Australia
  • Michael Fabinyi Climate, Society and Environment Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney, Australia / Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University, Australia
  • Priscila Lopes Department of Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil / Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), University of Bucharest, Romania / Institute of Biological Research Cluj, Romania
  • Albert Norström Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden / Future Earth, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Sweden
  • Stefan Partelow Center for Life Ethics, University of Bonn, Germany / Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional, and Engineering Sciences, University of Bonn, Germany
  • Gretta Pecl Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Australia / Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Australia
  • Jerneja Penca Science and Research Centre Koper, Mediterranean Institute for Environmental Studies, Slovenia
  • Vitor Renck Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia / School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia / Instituto do Mar, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
  • Alex Sen Gupta Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia / Climate Change Research Centre, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia / Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Antarctic Science, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia
  • Jan M. Strugnell Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Australia / Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, James Cook University, Australia
  • Adriana Verges Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia / School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia / Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Australia
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Abstract:  Imposter phenomenon is widely felt in academia, yet its lived experience within marine science remains underexplored. To address this gap, in this commentary we draw on the collective reflections of a diverse group of interdisciplinary marine researchers who have (and continue to) experience imposter phenomenon. We examine how it emerges, how it affects our careers, and how we have learned to navigate it. Our experiences reveal a broad range of triggers, including toxic or exclusionary work cultures, disciplinary gatekeeping, comparison and performance pressure, gendered expectations, life transitions, and identity-linked insecurities such as not fitting normative assumptions about what a “marine scientist” looks like. The impacts of imposter phenomenon were similarly varied: withdrawal from professional communities, reduced confidence, self-limiting behaviours, avoidance of visibility, career instability, and emotional or physical strain. Building from this, we outline strategies that have helped us manage our imposter phenomenon over time. Supportive relationships (through mentorship, peer networks, and community) were central, as were professional therapy, leadership coaching, and building mental-health literacy. Many of us found strength in reframing negative thoughts, setting boundaries, seeking inclusive environments, and building confidence through meaningful work and collaborations. Maintaining and prioritising physical well-being, time in nature, and simple acts of kindness also played important roles in helping us overcome the challenges posed by imposter phenomenon. Importantly, several of us came to see that imposter phenomenon can carry a productive dimension. It can foster reflexivity, humility, and critical self-awareness, qualities essential for thoughtful and ethical marine research. By sharing our own experiences, we hope to help build a marine science community where doubt is met with compassion and care, diverse forms of expertise and knowledge are valued, and all of us can do our best work without questioning our right to be here.

Keywords:  academic identity; belonging; empathy; imposter syndrome; mental health; reflexivity; self-doubt; well-being

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17645/oas.12838

Issue:   Vol 3 (2026): Tides of Change: Reflective and Practical Skills for the Next Generation of Marine Researchers (In Progress)


© Chris Cvitanovic, Tracy Ainsworth, Annette Breckwoldt, Amy Diedrich, Michael Fabinyi, Priscila Lopes, Albert Norstrom, Stefan Partelow, Gretta Pecl, Jerneja Penca, Kimberley Peters, Vitor Renck, Alex Sen Gupta, Jan Strugnell, Adriana Verges. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction of the work without further permission provided the original author(s) and source are credited.

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