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