History of Marine Science SIG
The Challenger Society’s name and its origins derive from the expedition that is acknowledged to mark the start of the systematic study of the oceans on a global scale. The scientific legacy of that expedition is found in the samples collected, the several volumes of Challenger Reports and the data they contain and in the published literature.
Since that voyage in the 1870s, our knowledge of the oceans has increased hugely through the efforts of research groups from many nations and through international collaboration. Until the advent of micro solid-state electrics, and then the launch of earth-observing satellites, observational techniques changed little in the almost 100 years since the Challenger voyage. The subsequent advances, within our present lifetime, have been dizzying and the many research groups in the United Kingdom have made important contributions.
The Challenger Society’s Special Interest Group on History was re-launched in late 2016 with the general objectives of raising and sustaining interest in the history of UK marine science and, more specifically, of documenting and capturing the recollections, unpublished documents and memorabilia of present-day scientists.
This web site reflects the activities of the History SIG but also builds on and links to similar efforts based on the work of individual laboratories, on archive collections and on publications in the open literature.
The task is a daunting one and is thus focused initially on carrying out and encouraging the following :-
- Making available the biographies of scientists who made important contributions, and encouraging active scientists to record important aspects of their careers.
- Documenting technologies that were important stepping stones towards our modern-day capabilities
- Preserving, enlarging and enhancing the photographic record
- Ensuring that important artefacts and documents are preserved and adequately documented
- Preserving historical data
- Documenting these activities in publications and talks.
We encourage people to join the SIG and to let us know their interests and areas of expertise so that other members of the Group can be made aware of them. The email of anyone who joins will be added to a JISCMAIL list whereby all members can communicate with each other (unless the person prefers not to receive emails that way).
Latest News
Socio-oceanography Workshop sets sights on key climate and ocean challenges
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is calling on scientists and researchers to participate in its fourth annual Socio-Oceanography Workshop, hosted in collaboration with the Marine Social Science Network.
This international event, set to take place at NOC’s Southampton site 26-28 February 2025, will gather experts across natural and social sciences to tackle the pressing issues linking people and the changing ocean.
This year’s workshop will focus on four key themes, including the impact of climate change-driven shifts in marine species distribution and how these changes will affect the way the UK marine environment is perceived, valued, and managed.
Other topics include integrating digital humans into environmental digital twins, addressing biases in research related to marine carbon dioxide removal, and exploring how local communities can engage in participatory environmental monitoring.
FMRI Lead Scientist Opportunity
The FMRI programme is now recruiting for a new Lead Scientist. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in helping to shape the UK’s future marine research capability.
The team are looking for someone who can connect with scientists and engineers to help define the best strategies for exploiting new technologies. Someone who is excited about new opportunities for marine research and can think across the big challenges. Someone who can peer over the horizon and imagine a different way of doing things.
FMRI is seeking to fund at least 50% of the Lead Scientist’s time to work as a key member of the programme leadership team.
I would be grateful if you could forward the attached flyer to your networks and encourage potential candidates to apply for this important role.
For an informal discussion, please contact the team via: info@fmri.ac.uk
For more information or to apply, please visit: www.fmri.ac.uk/recruit/lead-scientist
Applications close: 28th November, 2024
Applications for AGU Vice Chair for 2026 Ocean Sciences Meeting
The AGU is currently inviting applications for a Vice Chair to help lead the Organising Committee for the 2026 Ocean Sciences Meeting, to be hosted in Glasgow in 2026. Applications consist of a CV and expression of interest, to be received by 18 October 2024.
The biennial Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) is jointly convened by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) and The Oceanography Society (TOS). The OSM is overseen by a Program Committee responsible for the scientific content of the meeting as well as ancillary events, plenary speakers, and award ceremonies. The Program Committee is composed of a Chair and Vice Chair selected by each of the three participating societies. This advertisement is for the AGU Vice Chair position.
https://www.agu.org/plan-for-a-meeting/agumeetings#vicechairosm26