Biennial Challenger Conference: Liverpool
Ian Campbell
SAMS
I would like to thank the Challenger Society for Marine Science for giving me the opportunity to attend the 17th Biennial Challenger Conference in Liverpool. Attending the conference represented a number of significant ‘firsts’ during my first year as a PhD student; the attendance of my first research conference, active participation through my first poster presentation and the opportunity to present my research to experienced scientists as well as other postgraduate students.
The four-day conference was held at the University of Liverpool and attracted a cross section of attendees covering a diverse range of research disciplines from physical coastal processes to renewable and low carbon energy (my own areas of interest) and marine biogeochemistry. What I found fascinating was that many attendees were keen to attend sessions outside of their specialist area of research and comfort zone. This made for an exciting mix of questions to those who were presenting and some interesting discussions over dinner, which was held at the stunning Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
As a first year PhD Student I registered for a mentor, who did an excellent job of helping me navigate the various sessions, giving me advice on how to present my poster and generally advising me on how to get the best over a very busy four days. I am pleased to say my research poster “Floating wind farms for spreading invasive non-native species into Scottish Waters” attracted attention from both postgraduate students and scientists alike and the preparatory session “What makes a good poster?” presented by the UK Branch of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), offered some excellent tips on good poster design and how to engage by producing A4 posters as fliers, whilst having printed research manuscripts to hand. Neither of which I managed to achieve but ‘top tips’ for next time!
Having the opportunity to answer questions on my proposed methodology from a variety of researchers from very different fields of research really kept me on my toes, reminding me of the importance of tailoring how I communicate my work to different audiences.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from attending Challenger but the Conference, the University of Liverpool, the people I met and the friends I made, exceeded any of my expectations. I would like to thank the Challenger Society once again for giving me such a great learning opportunity and a superb ‘springboard’ for my PhD.
Profile:
I am a Phd student at the Scottish Association for Marine Science in Oban. My research is based on the Hywind Scotland Wind Farm, investigating floating wind farms for spreading invasive non-native species into Scottish Waters.
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Marine Data Management, Governance and the MEDIN toolset
The Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) and OceanWise are delighted to invite you to attend our popular free online training workshop: ‘Marine Data Management, Governance and the MEDIN toolset’ on the 19th – 23rd of May 2025.
Workshop on the contribution of UK Arctic Ocean science to the International Polar Year 32/33
12:00 11th June – 16:00 12th June 2025: NOC Southampton (In-person with online option): Registration deadline 16th May
REGISTER HERE
Pre-meeting questionnaire (open to all)
The purpose of this workshop is for the UK Ocean Science community to discuss and then draft a prospectus document outlining the priority Arctic research questions the community would like to address during the run up to, throughout and beyond the International Polar Year 32/33. Additionally, to identify what unique strengths and technologies the UK has to help fill these knowledge gaps.
The second day of the workshop will be dedicated to writing groups, one for each of the priority research questions identified - from both the pre-meeting questionnaire (HERE) and day one discussion. By the end of the meeting, each group will have produced draft text and sourced supporting figures for the prospectus.
Post meeting, the draft will be opened for comments and suggestions from everyone, regardless of whether they were able to attend the workshop or not. It will then be shared with UK funders (UKRI, FCDO, DSIT, ARIA) and potential international programmes with whom we would like to collaborate (e.g. Arctic 2050, Norway). It will form a basis from which wider integration with terrestrial, atmospheric and cryosphere communities can be built, e.g. at the UK Arctic Science Meeting in September in Northumbria.
To ensure balanced community and ECR representation, and to ensure that the size of the writing groups is efficient and effective, if the number of registrations from individual institutes becomes overwhelming, we may contact individuals or teams and ask that each institute selects a smaller number of individuals to attend in-person. Please wait for confirmation of in-person attendance before finalising travel arrangements.
The workshop will be open to hybrid attendance and contributions on both days.
Challenger Society Council Position Vacancy
The Challenger Society for Marine Science (CSMS) are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to support the next generation of ocean scientists and innovators. CSMS are looking for a new Council member to fill the Student Travel Awards and Stepping Stones Portfolio. The successful applicant will administer the travel and research grants available for Early Career Researchers.
The role involves:
- Receiving applications for the two schemes and responding to applicant inquiries
- Soliciting and compiling input from the rest of the Council for assessing the applications
- Communicating with successful and unsuccessful applicants for the two schemes
- Working with the Honorary Treasurer on allocating funds to successful applicants
- Following up with award winners on their reporting requirements
- Attending Council meetings four times a year (in person or online) and contributing to discussions and decision making for CSMS
The usual term for Council members is three years.
For more information about the CSMS Council, please follow this link: https://www.challenger-society.org.uk/The_Council
For more information about our Early Career Researcher grants and awards, please follow this link:
https://www.challenger-society.org.uk/Stepping_Stones
and
https://www.challenger-society.org.uk/Travel_awards
If you are interested in applying or have any questions regarding the role, please contact kathen@bas.ac.uk