European Coral Reef Symposium: Oxford

Alyssa Bell

University of Glasgow

 

The European Coral Reef Symposium (ECRS) is the largest coral reef conference in Europe. This year, hundreds of delegates from Europe and further afield congregated at the University of Oxford’s Examination Schools for a three day celebration of coral reef research and the exciting launch of International Year of the Reef 2018.

One of the major themes of the conference was sustainability and environmental responsibility. The conference promoted the #OneLess campaign, which aims to reduce the use of single use plastic and we were given goodie bags with reusable coffee cups (to fuel our conference excitement), carved wooden name badges and even a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush! But that’s not all: we were even challenged to use renewable power to charge our phones by way of pedal power!

I gave an oral presentation entitled: “The potential for non-scleractinian hosts to act as Symbiodinium reservoirs”. I was especially excited because it was the first time I’d be able to present my research in a session dedicated to my particular area of interest, coral symbionts. I was able to discuss my research and exchange ideas with several new contacts, as well as reconnecting with scientists I met at previous conferences.

Attending this conference was an inspiring and productive experience at a crucial point of my PhD, and I am extremely grateful to the Challenger Society for their financial support, without which I would not have been able to attend.

Profile:
Alyssa Bell is a third year PhD student in the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences at the University of Glasgow. Her PhD research focuses on the interactions between coral reef organisms and their symbiotic algae.
Before starting her PhD, she completed a Bachelors’ and Master’s degree in Zoology at the University of Glasgow. Her research interests include coral reef ecology and the effects of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance on reefs and their inhabitants.

Picture caption:
Looking over the Bodleian Library’s Radcliffe Camera, one of the oldest Libraries in the world (and location of several Harry Potter scenes) and Brasenose College to the left from the dizzyingly high tower of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

Latest News

The oceans, the blue economy and implications for climate change event

The oceans, the blue economy and implications for climate change
Date:  29 November 2023, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Speaker:  Rupert Howes, Joanna Post, Dr John Siddorn, Dr Siva Thambisetty, Professor Elizabeth Robinson, Dr Darian McBain
Venue:  Sheikh Zayed Theatre, Cheng Kin Ku Building, LSE Campus and online

Many conversations about sustainability and climate-change focus on activities on land – the green part of our planet. This misses a vital part of the puzzle, the role that our oceans play.

Read More


Ocean and Coastal Futures - Bursary

As part of our commitment to encouraging and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion, Ocean and Coastal Futures is launching its first Coastal Futures Bursary in partnership with Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. This opportunity is open for young people aged 18 to 30 years old, who are currently underrepresented in the marine and coastal sector and face financial barriers to attending. Individuals do not have to be working or studying in the sector currently but must reside in the UK.

Read More


CLASS Modelling Workshop 2024

The CLASS Programme is hosting a Modelling Workshop in early 2024. This is aimed at UK participants only. Event details and criteria to sign up are available here.

Read More