Every five years, we join forces with our sister organization, the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES), to bring the next generation of marine scientists together for the Early Career Scientist Conference.
One of the main aims of this conference is to encourage greater involvement of young scientists in international scientific investigations and to foster their role in the management and stewardship of the marine environment. Meeting new colleagues, and discussing collaborations that will persist long after their return home are happy side-effects.
The inaugural conference took place in 1999. It was held in Denmark and started out as the “Young Scientists Conference on Marine Ecosystem Perspectives". In 2007, ICES and PICES joined forces. The unanimous feedback was that the event had to continue! Since then, it has taken place every five years (USA 2007, Spain 2012, South Korea 2017, Canada 2022). Now, planning has started on what will be the fifth edition of ICES PICES Early Career Scientist Conference, to be held in 2027 (dates and venue to be decided).
Call for Scientific Steering Committee nominations
Conferences don't organize themselves. A lot of preparation is needed. The main area of planning is the scientific themes for which a Scientific Steering Committee is needed. Nine scientists will be chosen to form this committee: three representing ICES; three representing PICES; and three representing the host institute/country. These early career scientists will set the tone and subjects for your peers.
ICES Strategic Initiative on Integration of Early Career Scientists (SIIECS) is pleased to open the call for early career scientists to represent ICES on the Scientific Steering Committee for the next ICES PICES Early Career Scientist Conference.
The three selected candidates will have their travel, accommodation, conference registration, and meals fully covered by ICES for this event. ICES expects the candidate's affiliated institute to support the time spent planning, organizing, and attending the conference.
Past voices
In 2022, ICES representatives on the Scientific Steering Committee were Ana María Cabello, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Spain, Rasa Morkūnė, Marine Research Institute of Klaipeda University, Lithuania, and Szymon Smoliński, National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Poland.
"I greatly appreciated the supportive and collaborative international environment that ICES provided for us in fulfilling our responsibilities and the opportunity to meet colleagues from different areas of expertise in marine science. The week we spent together in St. John's during the conference was memorable!", says Cabello, "Participating as an ICES representative on the committee was a rewarding experience in many ways, it was so interesting to learn about the extensive work behind organizing such events and how they should be structured to make the conference possible".
Morkūnė agrees, “Being part of the organizing team allowed us to go through every step of the conference planning process, which is usually hidden and unknown to regular participants. It's an important role, hence, it brings responsibilities, but with the whole team working together, everything goes smoothly and successfully".
Smoliński says the process was engaging, providing an in-depth look into the scientific advancements made by early-career marine scientists across the globe. He encourages his peers to apply, "For anyone considering applying for a role on the Steering Committee, it is a valuable and enriching experience that allows you to make meaningful contributions to the field while also expanding your professional network in significant ways".
Sonia Batten, PICES Executive Secretary, encourages young scientists to take on this responsibility. "ICES/PICES Early Career Scientist conferences are truly international in both the planning and event itself. As a Scientific Steering Committee member, you have the chance to design the conference, learning what goes into putting together such an event that reflects the current ocean science thinking, alongside peers from different countries and cultures. Some will become part of your professional network and even long-term friends. You will gain experience in creating an interesting and balanced programme of activities, constructively discussing and integrating a wide range of session ideas to make a cohesive symposium that attracts and energizes the global marine science community of ECS. And, when you stand on the stage at the event to welcome the participants, and again send them home at the end of an inspiring and exhausting week, it is THE BEST feeling!"
If you want to lead the science at the next ICES PICES Early Career Scientist Conference, Jo Foden, ICES Head of Science Department, advises you to become part of the Scientific Steering Committee. “As part of the committee, you will have a significant influence on the themes and topics of the conference, the keynote speakers and sessions, along with opportunities to set up workshops, design panel sessions, and plan excursions with the local hosts. You will learn many transferable skills, such as time management, teamwork, event organization, and planning".
Interested?
If you are up for this challenge or know the perfect candidate, a full list of qualifying criteria along with the roles and responsibilities of those chosen can be found here.
All nominations must include a statement of support and a completed nomination form. The application deadline is 3 November 2024.