NOC to host Marine Science Communication Conference

The third International Marine Science Communication Conference, CommOCEAN 2018, is being hosted by the NOC, this December in Southampton.

On 4 and 5 December 2018 the European Marine Board Communication Panel (EMBCP), will hold the third international marine science communications conference, CommOCEAN2018. The event, which will take place in Southampton (UK) hosted by the National Oceanography Centre, will see hundreds of marine science communicators gather together to discuss the latest issues facing the ocean, and to develop their skills and techniques.

The conference aims to build a strong community of marine science communication professionals from across the world, and to inspire inventive and effective communication of marine science within the science community, to the wider public, and to governments and policy makers.

The conference will include a core programme of inspiring and insightful addresses from leaders in marine science communication, presentations and workshops covering communications techniques and platforms, and examples of marine science research communication campaigns. The event will also feature talks on current marine science projects.

Running alongside the core programme are sessions aimed at building basic skills and knowledge across the different channels and methods most often used to communicate to the public and stakeholders for those who are new to communications, and advanced sessions for those looking to maximise the impact of their current professional activity.

In 2016 the conference attracted over 200 delegates from 29 different countries and interest in another event was immediate.

“After the success of former editions in Porto and Bruges, the European Marine Board and the European community in general is looking forward for the third International Marine Science Communication Conference in Southampton” says Jan Mees, Chair of European Marine Board. “It is an opportunity for a wide range of experts and non-experts to exchange good practice on communication, dissemination and outreach, while learning about current marine science research, and promoting Ocean Literacy in Europe.”

NOC Head of Communications and EMBCP Chair, Lucy Cox, commented: “It’s vitally important that during this time of heightened interest in the health of our ocean, that those of us working within marine science communications present our work and research clearly and in the most effective and inspiring way possible. Furthermore, we need to do this in such a way to ensure that those with the power to change the way we manage and protect this crucial environment are confident in the decisions that they make.”

Registration is now open for the conference via www.commocean.org.