Wind and Waves 
Ocean surface waves are an important phenomenon in many aspects of oceanography, while also crossing many disciplines, from meteorology to sediment transport, renewable energy, coastal morphology and coastal engineering. Waves have direct impact on safe navigation and coastal erosion, while also mediating ocean-atmosphere interactions with transfers of momentum, heat, water, carbon dioxide and other quantities. While often regarded as a topic separate from oceanography, ocean waves are included in global meteorological centre forecasts, and studies of other processes may neglect them at their peril, as they are often implicitly accounted for, while their variability may not be properly understood.
The study of waves takes in many widely varied skills, from in situ observations to satellite remote sensing, from statistics of extremes to long-term climatic trends, and from modelling of ocean waves on global scales down to details of wave-current interactions or the bottom boundary layer in shallow water. Our SIG has members working with laboratory tanks, and the latest wave observing technologies, as well as those developing new methods with artificial intelligence and machine learning. We aim to connect the latest science with those working in practical applications, engineering, and policy making.
Aims of the SIG:
1) To promote research in ocean surface waves and collaborations with other disciplines
2) Develop connections in the UK waves research community, and introduce scientists and engineers to each other for networking
3) To encourage early-career researchers in this field by providing a platform for presentations and interactions.
4) Discuss the future priorities for waves research in UK
How can you get involved in the SIG?
Please contact Lucy Bricheno: luic@noc.ac.uk to find out more about the special interest group, and join our future meetings.
Next meeting: Monday 30th June 2025, Natural Oceanography Centre, Liverpool
You can find talks from previous meetings, read more about the special interest group, and sign-up to our mailing list by visiting our website here:
https://projects.noc.ac.uk/windwavesSIG/
Recent activities:
• 18th May 2024, Worcester College Oxford
• 5th September 2022, Natural History Museum, London
• 7th September 2020 held online over Zoom
• 14th September 2018, University of Newcastle
• 19th & 20th October 2016, HR Wallingford, Oxfordshire
• 22nd March 2012, Foresight Centre, University of Liverpool
Page Updated 17/04/2025
Latest News
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
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