Challenger Society Stepping Stones Report - Coleen Sucking - August 2016
Investigating natural challenges alongside the threat of microplastics on Florida’s marine life
Coleen used a CSMS Stepping Stones bursary to partially fund a trip to Florida in the interests of widening her experience, network of collaborators, develop new ideas and generate data. Her report follows below:
The Stepping stones Bursary allowed me to travel from North Wales to Fort Myers and visit the Florida Gulf Coast University for a month. As soon as I arrived at the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) I was kept busy. One of their outstanding Technicians based at the Vester field station (which sits in the mangroves and channels through to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico) had already collected all of the organisms we needed by Scuba diving. So we immediately started setting up the experimental laboratory in their excellent facilities (air temperature and photoperiod controlled) and began! To initiate collaborative links with ecophysiologist Dr Joelle Richard we carried out a short study to determine the physiological impacts of variations in coastal seawater parameters in combination with microplastic pollution on keystone marine organisms. Our data show some interesting responses which have raised more questions which we hope to address with her colleagues on a multidisciplinary context in the near future. Around this work at the Vester station we were treated to frequent visits by wildlife such as dolphins, manatees and pelicans, which was a delightful bonus to my trip.
Vester Station
I also used this opportunity to travel across the State to scope out Government Marine facilities as well as meeting researchers in other universities to discuss scientific approaches and potential teaching resources thus maximising the opportunity that this bursary presented to me.
Fluorescing Microplastics
This trip also allowed me to gain insight into working within American Higher Education Institutes and research environments which is certainly worthwhile when considering future employment and collaborative options outside of the UK. I highly recommend others to apply in order to gain excellent opportunities which will help in their career paths. Once again, thank you CSMS.
coleen.suckling@bangor.ac.uk
Sea Urchin 
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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
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. The agenda 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