The University of Edinburgh and Moray House School of Education and Sport are thrilled to announce the launch of an innovative sign language glossary that includes animals and plants found in our oceans. The glossary will help promote marine education for Deaf Youth. This initiative, part of the Marine Underwater Fish for Inclusion (MUFFIN) project funded by Erasmus+, aims to widen deaf youths’ access to marine education and discussions about the environment. Through collaborations with partners from five countries, the project successfully produced national glossaries of marine species in the Mediterranean and UK waters. The UK contribution involved collaboration with deaf marine biologists and sign linguists from Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA and the UK, culminating in a comprehensive glossary of 90 signs. Dr Audrey Cameron, Chancellor’s Fellow in Science Education and Sign Language, leads the BSL Sign Development team.As part of this initiative, the BSL glossary team from the Scottish Sensory Centre (SSC) is currently producing 25 educational videos about iconic marine species and creating a manual for marine centres to effectively engage with the deaf community. "We are excited to open doors to marine science for the deaf community," stated Dr Cameron. "This project represents a major step forward in making marine education more accessible to young deaf people. The collaboration of deaf scientists across different countries is unprecedented, and we're proud to lead in this important initiative." Marine Life Sign Language Huge thanks are extended to all contributors, including Gary Austin Quinn, Tania Allan, Kirsty McMullan, Sujit Sahasrabudhe, Rebecca Hegedűs, Naomi Goldman, Caroline Solomon, Barbara Spiecker, Linda Hberger, Camille Ol, Jennifer Chin and Linda Campbell, for their expertise and enthusiasm.Special thanks to Abigail Sheridan, Sheila MacKenzie of SSC, Dee Davison, and Ben Glover for their support with project management and video production.We are excited to announce plans for a Deaf Marine Week in the UK next year, and we are working with marine centres across the country to organise events for local deaf communities. We invite interested parties to join us in this pioneering project, helping to change how marine centres engage with deaf learners.Related information:MUFFINBSL Glossary - Marine species curriculum termsDr Audrey Cameron Tags British Sign Language (BSL) Children and young people Equality, diversity and inclusion news Publication date 10 Oct, 2025
