Ocean Modelling
The Challenger Society Ocean Modelling SIG exists to connect UK ocean modellers of all flavours, from those running coupled General Circulation Models to conceptual modellers, from geophysical fluid dynamicists to biologists, from students to senior professors. Our goal is to promote interaction, especially among early career ocean modellers, and to showcase the breadth and brilliance of the ocean modelling taking place across the country in academic and other institutions.
We hold an informal meeting in September each year where we aim to hear from as many people as possible. Short talks on recently published results, work in progress, and your latest great ideas are all equally welcome! Students are particularly encouraged to present and are given priority in theschedule. In even years, our meeting takes place in the same week and location as the Biennial Challenger Society Meeting. In odd years we hold a 1.5 or 2 day meeting (with a chance for networking over dinner) in a location that rotates around the country.
Updated 14/10/2019
How can you get involved in the SIG?
Contact the current conveners Dave Munday (danday@bas.ac.uk) and/or Helen Johnson (helen.johnson@earth.ox.ac.uk) directly by email, or ask your local senior ocean modellers to forward you details of the next meeting.
To stay up to date on Ocean Modelling SIG news subscribe to the mailing list:
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=OCEANMODELLINGSIG-CHALLENGERSOC
Next SIG Meeting
The 2023 Ocean Modelling SIG meeting will be held on the 5th and 6th of September at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.
The format will be the same as previous years; 8 minute talks with a couple of minutes for questions. As with previous years, we intend it to be informal with a student-centric focus and take the broadest possible meaning of “ocean modelling". There is likely to be a small charge to cover the cost of tea/coffee breaks and lunches during the meeting. An additional £26 will cover the meeting dinner on the evening of the 5th at the Dancing Man Brewery.
If you’d like to attend the meeting, please use the link below to register and provide a talk title if you want to speak:
https://noc-events.co.uk/challenger-society-ocean-modelling-group-meeting
Previous Meetings
We do not have an external website, but this year’s meeting in Edinburgh (9-10 September 2019) is advertised here: https://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/homes/dgoldber/challenger.html
The 2018 Ocean Modelling SIG meeting was held on Friday 14 September in Newcastle. We heard 36 inspiring 10-minute talks, and lots of fun was had by all!
Latest News
Potential Availability of NERC Ship Time During the 25/26 Programme Year
The NERC Marine Facilities Programme for 2025/2026 for the RRS Discovery and the RRS James Cook has been published on the Marine Facilities Planning website.
The RRS Discovery programme currently contains a 79 day alongside slot between the 2nd of November 2025 and the 19th of January 2026, which is available for science delivery if funded science projects can make use of this time. Due to the location of the vessel, the ship is most likely to be able to deliver fieldwork in the North and East Atlantic regions. Some support for science capability within the National Marine Equipment Pool is potentially available, although there is no capacity for use of autonomous vehicles or remotely operated vehicles. Any fieldwork within Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) will need the appropriate diplomatic clearance submitted to coastal states at least 6 months in advance, and to NMF with sufficient lead time for processing via the FCDO.
If interested in making use of this ship time, please contact NERC Marine Planning (marineplanning@nerc.ukri.org) ASAP to start discussions.
THE MARINE FACILITIES ADVISORY BOARD – CAN YOU HELP?
The Marine Facilities Advisory Board advises the National Oceanography Centre on marine facilities and services, including the Natural Environment Research Council’s National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP), the British Oceanographic Data Centre and the British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility.
NOC Association AGM 2025
NOC Association (NOCA) AGM 2025
The 14th AGM of the NOC Association will be held on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th May 2025. This free, on-line event will take place on Zoom, across two consecutive mornings, each starting at 10:00 and ending at 12:30. Although discussion topics are being finalised, we will focus on national capability (NC) science, ships, and autonomous vehicles, and how the community can engage. There will be an update on AtlantiS and on the new marine science scoping group. All are warmly welcome to join. To participate, please complete your registration here. For enquiries: Jackie Pearson, Secretary to NOCA: jfpea@noc.ac.uk