Laboratories and Publications
Laboratories
Though many research groups and university departments have long illustrious histories, sadly few of them have documented their origins and development – science is after all forward-looking. Frequent changes in name and amalgamation of laboratories and research groups also make it hard construct such histories.
However some information is available from the links in the list below:
• British Antarctic Survey
• Geodesy and Geophysics Cambridge 1937 onwards
• Liverpool Tidal Institute/Proudman Laboratory1866-2004 when incorporated into National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
• Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food/CEFAS Lowestoft1902 onwards
• Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen
• Marine Biological Association Plymouth 1884 onwards. Since 1988 associated with the…..
• NIO/IOS/IOS Deacon Laboratory 1949-1994 when incorporated into the Southampton Oceanography Centre (1995-2005), which became the National Oceanography Centre Southampton and subsequently part of NOC.
• Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
• Scottish Association for Marine Science 1992 onwards. Previously Scottish Marine Station from 1884 and Scottish Marine Biological Association from 1914.
• School of Ocean Science, Bangor
Publications and talks
A number of books focus on the histories of a number of UK laboratories carrying out marine science. The following are some examples:
1984 • The Marine Biological Association 1884-1984. One hundred years of marine research. Southward, A.J. and Roberts, E.K. (1984): One hundred years of marine research. Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science vol. 116 p155-199 (Occasional Publications. Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 3)
2001 • Across the Bridge -: An informal chronicle: from the Marine Biology Station, University College of North Wales to the School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, Ioanna Psalti, Gomer Press 273pp, 2001.
2009 • Madingley Rise and Early Geophysics at Cambridge, Carol Williams, Third Millennium, 208pp.
2010 • Of Seas and Ships and Scientists - The Remarkable History of the UK's National Institute of Oceanography, 1949–1973 Anthony Laughton, John Gould, 'Tom' Tucker and Howard Roe (editors), Lutterworth Press, 352pp, 2010.
2011 • History of the Meteorological Office, Malcolm Walker, Cambridge University Press, 450pp, 2011.
Latest News
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