26/04/24
Can you believe that the MASTS ASM is only a little over 6 months away! The event will take place in Glasgow at the Technology & Innovation Centre, 5-7th November and we have official opened the call for special session and workshop ideas. Special sessions focus on a specific topic or area of science and would be in plenary format in one of the large lecture theatres with hybrid viewing options. Workshops are held on Thurs 7th Nov, can be anything from a half to a full day, and are a chance to breakout into smaller groups for collaborative working and discussions. If you would be interested in hosting a special session or running a workshop as part of the event, please contact MASTS.
Finally, we would like to thank everyone who donated or helped spread the word of the
Scottish Seabird Centre
Big Give campaign that featured in our newsletter last week. The campaign has now ended, and we are happy to announce that they were able surpass they target amount and raised ￡10,125. The funds raised will go towards supporting our vital marine environment with both conservation efforts and education projects such as the SOS Puffin. ?
Forum News
Last Chance to apply for PGR's/ECR's to apply for funding to attend conferences!
Both the Marine Planning & Governance Forum (MPG) and the Aquatic Stressors (AS) Forum currently have funds available to support PGRs and ECRs with conference costs and travel. Both opportunities close 30th April!
- Hosted in the Stirling Court Hotel, the Sea Scotland 2024 conference brings together experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and communities to explore the ways forward to ensure a sustainable and responsible management of Scotland’s marine environment. MPG is supporting to costs of 3 individuals to attend the conference up the cost of ￡250. Apply here for the chance to get funding.
- The AS is offering a Travel Grand Scheme up to ￡300 for MASTS members that fall within the Aquatic Stressors discipline. Applicants can bid for travel funds to support conference attendance, training opportunities, visiting collaborator laboratories etc. Apply here for the chance to get the funding.
Invitation to join the MASTS Marine Biogeochemistry Forums meeting: 1st May, online, 13.30-14.20.
Join us for to an upcoming talk from one of its Steering Group members, Dr Robyn Tuerena (Scottish Association for Marine Science) on "The sources and cycling of dissolved organic nitrogen in the Arctic Ocean". Hear about the impact of climate change on Arctic nutrient cycling in Robyn's talk! Discover recent insights into dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) transport and cycling in the Arctic, particularly on the Eurasian shelf, where rivers play a significant role in delivering carbon and nitrogen to the Arctic Ocean. Register here.
The Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources Conference is 3 weeks away!
Focusing on the delivery of tools and interventions to inform policy, regulation and management, this conference will be held as a hybrid event from 14th – 16th May 2024. For those able to attend in person, we invite you to join us at the M-Shed in Bristol, and for those wishing to participate remotely, we will welcome you to the conference via our online Platform. This transdisciplinary conference brings together members of the UK marine science community, funders, policy makers and practitioners. View draft programme and book tickets to attend.
Delve Deeper into MASTS with the 2024 Webinar Series
Episode 5: Building a Bottom-up, Global Network to share Sustainable Practices in the Co-Design of Ocean Science? Join Dr Linwood Pendleton from OceanKAN as they discuss the challenges and solutions to working collaboratively with scientists and non-science professionals to better co-design ocean science for sustainable development. ?Wednesday 22nd May at 1.00pm. Find out more and register here.
Missed the previous episodes? Catch up on our YouTube Channel.
This weeks #FYI's
- Attention all divers and supporters of diving safety! The Dunstaffnage recompression chamber has been a crucial resource for treating decompression illness on Scotland's west coast since 1972. But recently has had its funding withdrawn. Join us in urging NHS Grampian to reinstate funding for the Dunstaffnage recompression chamber by signing the petition and helping to spread the word on Twitter and LinkedIn by like, sharing and commenting on our posts and tagging us in your own. Your support could make a life-saving difference for divers in need.
- Discover the ecological impact of offshore oil and gas platforms (OGP) in the recent publication “Haven or hell? A perspective on the ecology of offshore oil and gas platforms” (Fortune et al.,2024). As OGP near the end of their life cycle, it's crucial to understand their interactions with marine habitats. Our synthesis highlights the diverse marine life attracted to OGP, including fish, invertebrates, and algae, while also examining their effects on local biodiversity and hydrodynamics. Gain insight into the ecological cost-benefit of decommissioning strategies and the need for longitudinal research in this rapidly evolving field. Read more to inform policy decisions and marine spatial planning.
- The Scottish Policy & Research Exchange (SPRE) are running a workshop the aim to help improve collective understanding of how academic-policy engagement practice can be improved, and to connect ‘new voices’ with the ‘right’ people in Scottish Government. Building academic and policy connections will bring together academics from a broad range of institutions, disciplines, and career stages with an interest in policy engagement. You do not need to have any prior experience in policy engagement to join this event. There are currently 80 places available and 20 have already gone. Find out more here.
- Inspire the next generation in aquaculture with I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here! Connect with school students in lively, 30-minute, online Chats to share your experiences and show the wide range of marine-related STEM careers out there. Based completely online and text-only, this is a great opportunity to connect with classes across the UK without the need for any preparation and is a great, low-pressure way to ‘dip your toes in’ to outreach, building engagement and communication skills as you go. Find out more here.
- Deadline update: There are 2 weeks left to purchase the 2-Day Residential Tickets for the Sea Scotland 2024 conference. The conference gives you full access to the all the sessions, workshops, dinner, and accommodation for the conference. Secure your place today and check out the full program here.
Upcoming Events
- In support of the recent publication of the MSPACE analysis of climate change impacts on the UK’s marine environment, MCCIP is hosting a webinar that will guide you through the main headlines and findings and give you a chance to ask any questions. The Webinar is taking place on 29th April at 13.00-14.00 and you can register your attendance here.
- Coastal ‘dead zones’ – are we too late to turn the tide? Join Professor Caroline Slomp on 1st May 2.30pm at The Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Science, Hariot-Watt University as they discuss the devastating consequences to marine life caused the rapidly decreasing oxygen levels in coastal waters. More here.
New Funding Opportunities
- NERC Funding Opportunity: Delivering training courses for environmental scientists 2024. Apply for funding to deliver training short courses within the NERC remit, focusing on areas of identifiable training need. Total budget is ￡600,000 equating to 10 to 15 awards. All costs will be funded at 100% direct costs. Under certain circumstances, you may request up to ￡100,000. Find out more here.
