History

The Oceanographic Observatory (O₂) is a laboratory of the Fluminense Federal University (UFF) dedicated to activities in research, education, and outreach in the fields of marine sciences, climate change, and environmental technologies.

The trajectory of O₂ began prior to its formal institutional establishment, stemming from a core idea conceived by Prof. André Belém during his teaching activities in the former Oceanography program at UNIMONTE, in Santos, Brazil. While teaching courses related to oceanography and Earth system sciences, the proposal emerged to create an integrative space combining education, scientific outreach, and critical reflection on oceans and climate. This conceptual foundation led to the first name of the laboratory, which initially operated in an informal capacity at the Oceanographic Institute of Santos, an institution that no longer exists.

From 2005 onward, the Oceanographic Observatory began to establish a public presence through pioneering initiatives in digital science communication. In the early days of social media in Brazil, O₂ published its first content on the now-defunct Orkut platform and, between 2005 and 2010, maintained an active presence across digital networks, focusing on the dissemination of information about oceans, climate, and the environment. During this period, the project gained significant visibility, reaching approximately 10,000 followers on Facebook, a notable figure at the time.

Between 2010 and 2015, the Observatory went through a phase of reorganization and transition. Faced with institutional, personal, and academic changes, it became necessary to reduce the pace of public activities, preserving the project’s conceptual core while preparing the groundwork for a more structured and sustainable phase.

This new phase was consolidated in 2015, when the Oceanographic Observatory became an official part of the Fluminense Federal University (UFF). Its formalization occurred through Service Order No. 08, dated September 21, 2015, issued by the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, marking the beginning of its full institutional operation as a university laboratory.

Since then, O₂ has continued to develop as an interdisciplinary space dedicated to scientific knowledge production, academic training, and engagement with society, maintaining as a founding principle the integration of science, technology, education, and socio-environmental responsibility.