Deep-Sea Ecosystems
Technological advances and increasing demand for resources are ushering in a new era of human exploitation of the deep-sea that will impact life in the deep oceans in various ways. It is therefore imperative to increase our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems in line with these anthropogenic and climatic impacts. While there are a number of international fora that allow deep-sea scientists to meet and discuss research, there is no such national body. The Deep-Sea Ecosystems SIG provides a platform for deep-sea researchers in the UK to meet every year and discuss national issues in relation to deep-sea science. Ultimately the SIG gives a voice to the UK deep-sea biological sciences community. 
How can you get involved in the SIG?
You can automatically subscribe to the Deep-Sea Ecosystems email list by sending an email:
To: listserv@jiscmail.ac.uk
Subject: BLANK
Message: SUBSCRIBE DEEPSEAUK Firstname Lastname
Then follow the confirmation instructions. This list is used by members for topical discussion and to update on SIG activities, with minimal spamming.
The SIG chair is Dr James Bell (Cefas).
Deep-Sea Ecosystems SIG Meeting 2025
Dates: 19-20 November 2025
Location: JNCC (Quay House, Peterborough); Remote attendance will be possible also, but we’d love to see you in person if at all possible.
Time: Timings TBC but likely something like 11-5 on the Wednesday and 9-2 on the Thursday.
Whether or not you registered previously, please register for this meeting using the link below. Apologies for the inconvenience, and I hope that this date & location will be suitable.
As a reminder, there is still the option for one ECR to receive a small bursary to cover travel and subsistence, provided by the Challenger Society.
The registration link for the 2025 DSE-SIG meeting is now live (https://forms.office.com/e/aRMHEZNSpC). Please register as soon as possible. Applications for the ECR bursary will close one month from May 21.
Meeting convenors: Dr James Bell (Cefas), chair of the DSE-SIG, and Laura Grady (JNCC)
Contacts: james.bell@cefas.gov.uk & laura.robson@jncc.gov.uk
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