Fostering Marine Empathy: UQAC and INSPÉ de Bretagne Launch Collaborative Research Project
Educating the next generation about environmental stewardship often relies on “cute” animals—sea turtles or dolphins—to garner emotional investment. However, a new intersectoral research partnership is challenging this approach, aiming to build a deeper, more inclusive form of empathy for all marine biodiversity, regardless of how “attractive” a species may be.
The Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) and the Institut national supérieur du professorat et de l’éducation (INSPÉ) de Bretagne have joined forces to develop educational interventions that help children adopt an ethical stance toward the protection of marine environments. The project focuses on reducing human impact on these ecosystems through a positive, non-guilt-inducing pedagogical framework.
- Strategic Alliance: A joint effort between UQAC (Quebec) and INSPÉ de Bretagne (France).
- Funding: Backed by over $50,000 from the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) and the Conseil franco-québécois de coopération universitaire (CFQCU).
- Core Objective: Moving beyond “cute” species to foster genuine empathy for all marine biodiversity.
- Implementation: Collaborative development of concrete actions involving schools and museums.
A Data-Driven Approach to Environmental Empathy
The project is led by Loïc Pulido, a professor of child development at UQAC, and Nathalie Bonneton-Botté, a psychology professor at INSPÉ. The initial phase of the research is designed to identify current trends and evaluate existing interventions to determine which approaches are most effective in changing children’s behavior toward the ocean.
A critical component of this research is the integration of hard science with psychology. The team is collaborating with biologists to pinpoint specific biodiversity challenges and identify the most threatened species within their territories. As Loïc Pulido notes, “We’re also working with biologists to establish what the biodiversity stakes are in our territories, which are the most threatened species that could create a drop in biodiversity,” according to Le Quotidien.
Expanding the Definition of “Protectable” Species
One of the project’s most innovative angles is the psychological shift from superficial attraction to systemic empathy. Educators often find that children naturally empathize with animals that fit a specific aesthetic of “cuteness,” which leaves less charismatic but ecologically vital species overlooked.
To counter this, the research emphasizes direct observation. By taking children into the field to study marine life in its natural habitat, the program aims to build a more robust emotional connection to the environment. This hands-on experience is viewed as the most effective way to develop empathy for species that aren’t traditionally seen as “cute.”
Interdisciplinary Expertise
The scale of the project requires a diverse array of academic perspectives. Beyond the primary leadership of Pulido and Bonneton-Botté, the research team includes several UQAC specialists:
- Élisabeth Jacob: Expert in preschool education.
- Linda Paquette: Professor of psychology.
- Marie-Ève Langelier: Specialist in outdoor intervention.
- Pascal Sirois: Professor in the department of fundamental sciences in fish and fisheries ecology.
From Research to Real-World Application
The ultimate goal of this partnership isn’t just academic publication; it’s the creation of tangible tools. The researchers intend to work directly with school systems and museum institutions to implement concrete gestures that children can use to care for marine environments.
By shifting the narrative from guilt to empowerment, the UQAC and INSPÉ de Bretagne alliance is creating a scalable model for environmental education that prioritizes ecological reality over aesthetic appeal, ensuring that the next generation of protectors values the entire marine ecosystem.