Microplastics are notoriously hard to detect but their impact is significant. How deep is the problem in the Pacific Ocean? Scientists from Australia and Samoa teamed up to find out. Our video captures their international research collaboration to quantify microplastics on Samoan beaches and in the surrounding Pacific Ocean. The confronting impact of the plastics problem on the people of Samoa is told through the eyes of Samoa’s top marine scientist, Fimareti Tupu Selu. The audience becomes part of an informative journey to understand the complexities and methodologies to quantify microplastic pollution. Drawing attention to the full life cycle of research, the video communicates how crucial the data collected will be to inform policy and plastics management in Samoa and other Pacific Island nations. Delivered on a shoestring budget, this video was conceptualized, filmed, and produced entirely in-house by a member of the University of Newcastle’s Communication and Media Team. By incorporating the voices of partners in the Pacific, the video successfully demonstrates the university’s commitment to forging strong ties with our Pacific partners through innovative research, capacity building, engagement, and partnership activities. The video was well-received across all target audiences, with 100% positive sentiment, and led to further engagement opportunities for the university at government-led events. The average engagement rate was five times higher than that industry average.
From the Judges
This video is very interesting and we loved the addition of the illustrations for the “microplastics” that were superimposed into the video. Very creative and helped to sell the message. It is a very effective video.
