Aims and outcomes

The aim of the Centre will be:

  • To promote dialogue between researchers in Marine Sciences and Climate Change within the University and with the National Oceanography Centre
  • To strengthen the profile of Liverpool as a national and international centre for Marine Sciences
  • To develop strategic research initiatives within the University, which complement the research strengths at NOC
  • To link to and to contribute to the national strategy being developed by the Research Councils, particularly the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Outcomes of the Centre

The centre should:

  • Develop strategic research initiatives within the University in Marine Sciences and Climate Change, which strengthen the interdisciplinary studies within the University, as well as complement the research strengths at NOC.
  • Deliver increased outputs in the forms of grants and papers, which exploited this network across the campus and the new opportunities offered from NERC.
  • Support the Liverpool Marine Symposium, an annual meeting on topical areas of Marine Sciences and Climate Change:
  • Support focused scientific meetings, such as short workshops (e.g. 1 to 2 days) at Liverpool on targeting themes, such as sea level change, how ocean overturning is controlled, biodiversity, which will be of interest to both NOC and University staff and which will potentially lead to Liverpool-led research Proposals.

The strategic outcomes will focus on strengthening research in targeted areas, which complement and exploit expertise and skills at NOC. Examples of targeted research questions relating to two themes are

  • sea level/land movement
    • what was the effect of the Little Ice Age on the sea level record?
    • what are the implications for coastal defence and coastal vulnerability of more storm surges and the rise in sea level?
    • how is the sea level rise related to warming pattern and overturning?
  • ecosystem functioning and modeling
    • how will warming, stratification & pH changes impact the ecosystem?
    • what are the risks of new species invading the coastal and shelf seas?
    • how will biodiversity evolve before acquiring a new state? 

 

 

A brochure outlining the work of the Research Centre for Marine Sciences and Climate Change has been published (July 2008). Click here to view a copy.