From Participation to Transformation: Lived Experiences of Faculty and Staff in a Coastal Clean-Up Initiative

This qualitative phenomenological study determined the lived experiences of Marine Transportation faculty and staff who participated in a coastal clean-up drive under the SAILORS Program of a university. Anchored in Transformative Learning Theory and experiential learning frameworks, the study explored participants' reflections on the relevance, effectiveness, and level of participation in the activity, as well as its influence on their environmental attitudes and professional development. Data were gathered from fourteen purposively selected faculty members and analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that the coastal clean-up drive effectively linked maritime theory with real-world environmental practice, strengthened environmental stewardship and ecological responsibility, and reinforced core maritime values, including discipline, teamwork, and social responsibility. Participants also reported increased awareness of global maritime environmental standards, including MARPOL, and developed a stronger sense of ownership and commitment to coastal protection. The study was conducted in accordance with established research ethics protocols and received ethics approval under Protocol No. FACULTY(3)-2026-01-044, ensuring the protection of participants' rights, confidentiality, and informed consent throughout the research process. Overall, the activity functioned as a transformative learning experience that expanded professional identity to include environmental stewardship, highlighting the importance of integrating reflective, participatory community extension activities into maritime education.

Coastal Clean-up; Transformative Reflection; Lived Experiences; Environment; Community Extension.

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