5th International Symposium on Dynamic Energy Budget Theory: Norway
Rose Stainthorp
NOC Southampton
The 5th International Symposium on Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory was held in Tromso, Norway this summer (2017) and included delegates from 13 different countries around the world. The topics covered a broad temporal and spatial scale, ranging from species-specific applications of DEB theory to understand processes at the sub-cellular level, through to development of General Ecosystem Models and the “evolution of syntrophic symbiosis” amongst others. This year there were keynote presentations from top ecologists and physiologists, panel discussions including both experts in the field and early career researchers and PhD students, as well as a series of workshops preceding the conference focused on applications of the DEBtool package software. I was lucky enough to be selected to give a talk from my current PhD research, as well attend the workshops and symposium, which was only possible with the generous funding from the Challenger Society for Marine Science.
The International Symposium on DEB theory is held once every two years, hosted by a different DEB research group in their respective country each time. It is the only conference focused specifically on Dynamic Energy Budget theory, bringing together the leaders in this field to discuss the most recent advances, and as such is a fantastic opportunity for early career researchers and scientists from other disciplines to come together and learn the state of the art. It was particularly important for me to attend this year, my final PhD year, as I could present the results of my current research directly to the scientists I hope to reach with any publications from the work, gain valuable feed-back, and build my professional network to establish new collaborations and potential post-doc positions.
One of the most valuable outcomes from my attendance at the symposium was the arrangement of a short-term research placement at IFREMER in Brest, France; to work with the DEB research group there on a project related to my PhD topic that I proposed and independently obtained funding for. This placement will allow me to collaborate with a whole new network of scientists in the field, and to learn new skills outside of those I have already developed during my PhD. Having the opportunity to meet these scientists in person, and for them to hear about my work through my presentation, is what made my proposal successful and I would like to thank the Challenger Society for Marine Science for awarding me the funding to attend this amazing symposium.
Profile:
I am a third year PhD student at the National Oceanography Centre as part of a joint project between the University of Southampton and the British Antarctic Survey. Combining experimental and modelling approaches I aim to examine how varying environmental stressors impacts the energy budget of marine invertebrates. I seek to understand how changes in the life history of an individual can be integrated into bioenergetic models, to make predictions of the population- and community-level consequences of climate change.
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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
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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