The National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) 2018 Membership Profile

Abstract

In 2018 a questionnaire was administered to the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) membership to better understand the composition of its members. The purpose of this survey was to both assist NMEA leadership in engaging in data-driven decision-making when creating programs and serve as a foundation upon which to base and reflect on diversity initiatives. A 2002 membership survey allowed us to gauge changes in some demographic metrics over time. The 2018 survey had a response rate of 61% (N = 385). Members predominantly identified as white (82%) and female (70%). They were highly educated (70% held a masters’ or doctorate degree) and coastally based (67% lived within 25 miles of the ocean). Since 2002 there has been an increase in the percentage of members identifying as female (60 to 70%) and those indicating they were older than 61 (~10 to 25%). Over this same period members identifying as white decreased (97 to 82%) and the percentage of formal educators in the organization decreased (46 to 33%). Results from the 2018 survey provided additional insight into members’ educational training, geographic distribution, organization engagement, and familiarity with the Ocean Literacy Principles. These results can contribute to improved NMEA programming and serve as a benchmark upon which to reflect on changes to the organization’s composition over time. We think findings will help all marine educators, regardless of NMEA membership, situate their work in the broader marine education community and may inform other non-profit volunteer organizations how to conduct surveys to better understand their own membership.