MFC CDT students and staff recently gathered at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and the University of Southampton for a special MFC Wednesday focused on ocean science, research and community building.
The original programme included a research ship tour, but severe storms meant that this had to be cancelled. The visit was adapted at short notice, with an NOC laboratory tour providing an engaging alternative and giving participants an opportunity to learn more about the facilities, equipment and research taking place at the Centre.
The day began in the One Ocean Suite, where attendees enjoyed coffee and refreshments in the Exhibition Area before hearing short presentations from Espe Broullon-Mandado of the University of Southampton and Carl Spingys of the National Oceanography Centre. Their talks offered an insight into current research and the broad range of work carried out across the ocean-science community.
Following the presentations, everyone came together for a catered lunch in the Exhibition Area before taking part in the NOC laboratory tour. The tour provided a behind-the-scenes look at the Centre’s research environment and helped connect the themes of the day with the practical work of scientists and researchers.
The programme also included a session at SeaCity, led by Jon Cockayne, offering further opportunities to explore Southampton’s maritime and ocean-related heritage. The day concluded with a student representative meeting, followed by coffee and informal conversations.
Schedule
- 10:30 – Arrival at the National Oceanography Centre, One Ocean Suite; coffee served in the Exhibition Area
- 11:00–12:00 – Short presentations by Espe Broullon-Mandado (University of Southampton) and Carl Spingys (NOC)
- From 12:00 – Catered lunch in the Exhibition Area
- From 12:55 – NOC laboratory tour, arranged as an alternative to the planned research ship tour, which was cancelled because of the storm
- 13:00–14:00 – SeaCity session led by Jon Cockayne
- From 14:00 – Student representative meeting
- 14:30–15:00 – Coffee in the Exhibition Area and informal discussion