About us
Since 2014, CarolAnne Black Consulting Science Writers, based in Ottawa, Canada, has been delivering high-quality ocean stories – reports, news and features, white papers, peer-reviewed papers, a children’s novel and a script – related to a broad set of ocean-related topics including a focus on gender and policy.
We work with Canadian, international and intergovernmental organisations, and have strong knowledge of and connections to the ocean sector – research, industry, policy and not-for-profit – that help us to effectively tell our clients’ ocean stories.
We believe that ocean stories should be compelling so they can reach readers, increase their knowledge and engage them to take action.
About CarolAnne
I have my dream job. I am the owner and principal consultant at CarolAnne Black Consulting Science Writers, which I founded in 2014. Using my background in ocean science (M.Sc. in physical Oceanography from Dalhousie University, Canada), over the last ten years I have built a consulting practice that focuses on telling ocean stories. My work delves into all aspects of ocean science, including social sciences and ocean governance. It contributes to an equitable ocean: my projects highlight the experiences of women, Indigenous peoples and other underrepresented groups; and, at an international scale, the participation of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states.
The breadth of my writing spans: news pieces, features, case studies, a script for an interactive ecocentre exhibit, web content, extensive reports, and a children’s novel that helps kids from Ottawa (far from the coast) connect with the ocean. I've always had a passion for writing. It feels like a puzzle to me – how to put down seemingly complicated ideas in plain language, and tell stories that keep readers engaged. My consultancy conducts research projects, such as administering surveys and collecting qualitative interview data, and we produce reports, based on our research, literature, and other sources. My feeling is that the people reading our reports (often policymakers) are more likely to take action based on our recommendations if they can find in those reports a connection to stories and people.
My second passion is listening. Over the years, with a lot of practice and determination, I feel I can really hear what ocean experts want to share about their passions, including what may be holding them back. I know from the feedback I receive that my interviewees feel heard in my writing.
Check out some of our recent work
