Ambassador Activities
January 2022: Failure in Academia blog
In her first blog post, EMB Young Ambassador Rebecca Zitoun on "Failure in Academia - The Upside of Down" she reflects on our relationship with failure and proposes that we reconsider how we view it. You can read the full blog here.
1 December 2021: Speaking at the 8th EMB Forum (Brussels, Belgium and Online)
The four EMB Young Ambassadors attended and spoke at the 8th EMB Forum on "Supporting the Ocean Decade in Europe". They participated in a panel discussion during a session on "Engaging Early Career Ocean Professional’s in the Ocean we want".
12 November 2021: Presenting at the GEOMAR (Kiel, Germany)
EMB Young Ambassador Rebecca Zitoun has moved from NIOZ (Netherlands) to GEOMAR (Germany), and presented to her new colleagues Research Division 4 about EMB and the Ambassador programme on 12 November 2021.
8 November 2021: Launch of EMB Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) network initiative (Online)
The EMB Ambassadors are launching a new initiative aiming to link up the ECOPs who are linked with the various EMB member organizations. You can find out more about this initiative here.
2 November 2021: Presenting at the Black Sea Ambassadors Autumnm School 2021 (Online)
On 2 November, EMB Young Ambassador Rebecca Zitoun spoke about the EMB Young Ambassadors programme, her experiences and recent activities during the Black Sea Ambassadors Autumn School 2021. You can read the press release for this event here.
28-29 October 2021: EMB Autumn Plenary Meeting 2021 (Bergen, Norway and Online)
The four EMB Young Ambassadors had the opportunity to attend the EMB Autumn Plenary meeting either in person in Bergen, Norway or online, to hear more about the activities of the Board and its governance, and to engage in discussions during the Open Session.
26 October 2021: Presenting at University of Split (Split, Croatia)
On 26 October, Natalija Dunić presented her research on "The impact of global warming on the properties of Adriatic" to the Faculty at the University of Split, and also took the opportunity to mention her work as an EMB Young Ambassador.
23 September 2021: Boosting the impact of your science through effective communication: Learning how to be heard by media, policy makers and stakeholders (Online)
As part of the ICYMARE early career ocean professional conference, EMB Young Ambassadors Alessandro Cresci, Rebecca Zitoun and Anjali Gopakumar organized a 3-hour workhop on "Boosting the impact of your science through effective communication: Learning how to be heard by media, policy makers and stakeholders". The session discussed the basics, principles, and strategies that make communicating to media, policymakers, and stakeholders effective. Invited experts shared techniques, tricks and lessons learnt on how to become an impactful communicator. By introducing the European science-policy landscape and the Ocean Decade, the workshop showed why good communication can make a difference. The workshop allowed attendees to have discussions and ask questions, and share ideas. You can find out more about this workshop here and read a blog article about it here.
July 2021: Oceanographers on the island blog
Following her experiences in setting up a marine science public outreach initiative in her native Croatia, EMB Young Ambassador Natalija Dunić wrote a blog on "Oceanographers on the island - young generations for a scientific future!" highlighting what had inspired her to do so and encouraging others to do the same. You can read the full blog here.
12-15 June 2021: Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress 2021 (Online and Brisbane, Australia)
EMB Young Ambassador Rebecca Zitoun participated online in the Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress, and in particular represented EMB during the Future Oceans Workshop organized by the Global Sustainability Scholars and the Early Career Ocean professionals on 14 June 2021. The workshop built a diverse and transdisciplinary global network of early career researchers interested in solutions toward sustainable oceans.
1 June 2021: Virtual Early Career Ocean Professional (V.ECOP) Day (Online)
On 1 June, EMB Young Ambassador Natalija Dunić and Rebecca Zitoun participated in the 24-hour Virtual Early Career Ocean Professional Day event. Natalija moderated a panel discussion on "Why do we need FAIR data to reach our ocean goals?" drawing on both her own work and experience as well as the recent EMB publication on Big Data in Marine Science and the EMB 7th Forum. This panel discussion took place during a session on Research Infrastructures and data - Sharing and exchanging opportunities. Rebecca gave a presentation on "Ocean Literacy - Why, what, and who?", during a session on Ocean and society: Ocean literacy and inclusivity.
27 May 2021: NIOZ Interview with Rebecca Zitoun
EMB Member the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), where our EMB Young Ambassador Rebecca Zitoun is based, has published a news article following an interview with her. In the article, she outlines her vision and ambitions for what can be achieved over the next two years in the role. She says “I want to help them understand that we can be involved in big decisions and should help bridge the gap between science and society.” You can read the full article here. Image credit: NIOZ
26-27 May 2021: EMB Spring Plenary Meeting 2021 (Online)
On 27 May, during the Science Session of the EMB Spring Plenary Meeting 2021, the four Ambassadors had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the EMB Board Members and present their planned actvities for the coming year. They were also able to attend other sessions of the EMB Plenary meeting to find out more about how the Board operates and makes decisions, and to engage in discussions during the Open Session.
25 May 2021: Presenting to University of Split (Online and Split, Croatia)
On 25 May 2021, EMB Young Ambassador Natalija Dunić had the opportunity to present her work and the European Marine Board to Bachelors and Masters students at the Faculty of Science of the University of Split in Croatia. 18 students were able to attend the lecture either online or in person.
14 April 2021: Ambassadors training Workshop (Online)
On 14 April 2021, the two new EMB Young Ambassadors, Rebecca Zitoun and Anjali Gopakumar, joined the current Ambassadors, Natalija Dunić and Alessandro Cresci, and the EMB Secretariat for a half-day online workshop. During the workshop, the Ambassadors met the EMB team and each other, learnt more about EMB and our activities, and about the European marine science-policy landscape. It was also an opportunity to plan for the coming year of activities.
25 March 2021: Ambassadors speak to students at the MASTS Graduate Retreat (Online)
On 25 March 2021, two of the EMB Young Ambassadors, Natalija Dunić and Alessandro Cresci, will speak about their experiences as EMB Young Ambassadors, and about the benefits of engaging in wider science and policy activities at the graduate retreat organized for their students by EMB member MASTS, UK. You can find Natalija's presentation here and Alessadro's presentation here.
18 March 2021: EMB Science Webinar featuring Alba González Vega and Liam Lachs (Online)
On 18 March 2021, the two outgoing EMB Young Ambassadors, Alba González Vega and Liam Lachs, presented their research and experiences during the EMB Science Webinar on Submerged volcanoes, and coral reefs under climate change: Early career perspectives from EMB Young Ambassadors. You can find out more about this webinar here and re-watch the event on the EMB YouTube Channel.
22-24 February 2021:Natalija Dunić engaged in the BlueMed Project Final Conference (Online)
On 22-24 February 2021, Natalija Dunić participated in and spoke at the BlueMed project final conference, and in particular in a session engaging with the project's own Young Ambassadors.
January 2021: Liam Lachs engages in EMB working group activities
Liam Lachs became a member of the new EMB working group on Coastal Resilience, which kicked off activities on 29 January 2021, as his work on coral reef ecology and restoration is very relevant to this topic.
4-5 November 2020: Participating in the EMB Autum Plenary Meeting 2020 (Online)
On 4-5 November 2020, all four of EMB Ambassadors participated in the various sessions of the EMB Autumn Plenary Meeting 2020, including the open session which discussed COVID-19 and the impacts on marine science.
23 October 2020: Natalija Dunić, Alba González Vega and Liam Lachs speak at the 7th EMB Forum (Online)
On 23 October 2020, three of the EMB Ambassadors gave a speech outlining their ideas on supporting the ocean system with integrated big data during the opening session of the EMB 7th Forum on Big Data in Marine Science. You can find out more about this event here and rewatch the session online.
October 2020: Blogs on COVID-19
The EMB Ambassadors wrote blog posts about their experiences of the COVID-19 and its impacts on their professional and personal lives as early career researchers, providing interesting and insightful insights. You can read all four of the blogs here.
June 2020: Alba González and Alessandro Cresci engage in EMB working groups
Since June 2020, Ambassadors Alba González Vega and Alessandro Cresci have been engaging actively in current EMB working groups, as their research is closely related to the topics being addressed. Alba is providing input to the working group on Marine Geohazards and the Blue Economy, while Alessandro is a member of the working group on Underwater Noise.
27 May 2020: Video update at the EMB Plenary Meeting (online)
On 27 May 2020, EMB Young Ambassadors Liam Lachs, Alba González Vega, Natalija Dunić and Alessandro Cresci gave an update on their activities as video recordings during the EMB Spring Plenary Meeting 2020. You can watch the videos on the EMB YouTube channel.
17 March 2020: Ambassadors training workshop (online)
On 17 March 2021, the two new EMB Young Ambassadors, Natalija Dunić and Alessandro Cresci, joined the current Ambassadors, Liam Lachs and Alba González Vega, and the EMB Secretariat for a half-day online workshop. The in-person event which had originally been planned had to be cancelled last minute due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the workshop, the Ambassadors meet the EMB team and each other, learnt more about EMB and our activities, and about the European marine science-policy landscape. It was also an opportunity to plan for the coming year of activities.
10-13 December 2019: Liam Lachs hosts an EMB stand at the British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2019 (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
This large-scale event by the British Ecological Society focused on celebrating global ecology. Liam attended and hosted an EMB stand on the first day of the event in order to disseminate EMB publications to a wider audience as well as raise awareness about the work that EMB does.
1-4 October 2019: Alba González Vega attends and speaks at II Congreso de Jóvenes Investigadores del Mar (Malaga, Spain)
II Congreso de Jóvenes Investigadores del Mar is an event aimed at early career researchers. Alba spoke during a session on young marine researcher networks where the discussions focused on ways to involved early career researchers in the marine science and policy landscape. She also used the opportunity to speak to peers about the work of EMB and to distribute publications.
24-27 September 2019: Alba González Vega presents EMB and her own work at the ICYMARE Conference (Bremen, Germay)
ICYMARE is the “International Conference for Young MArine REsearchers” which is organized voluntarily by and for young marine researchers. The conference is an event of the “Bremen Society for Natural Sciences”. Alba was able to attend and present her own PhD work along with the work of EMB, and also disseminate copies of EMB publications at a stand.
23-27 August 2019: Liam Lachs participates in the All-Atlantic Ocean Youth Ambassador Summer School (Galway, Ireland)
EMB was very happy to hear that Liam and Alba were asked to participate in the first All-Atlantic Ocean Youth Ambassador Summer School that took place from 23-27 August 2019 in Galway, Ireland, and Liam was able to attend. Only 25 places were available for this summer school, so it was a great honour for them to be asked to participate in this. Liam had the opportunity to speak about his exteriences as EMB Ambassador at this 5-day workshop, which focused on how to fulfil commitments to the Galway and Belém Statements for a sustainable ocean. It was also a great opportunity to network with other early career researchers and to share future advocacy plans.
13 June 2019: Liam Lachs and Alba González Vega give a presentation at the EMB Spring Plenary meeting (Paris, France)
After the EurOCEAN conference, our Ambassadors participated in the EMB Spring Plenary Meeting 2019 to meet and greet with the EMB Delegates, and to hear about the ongoing EMB activities. Alba will be closely following the new EMB Working Group on Marine Geohazards, to be launched by the end of 2019. Liam has shown a particular interest in a possible new Working Group on Coastal conservation, restoration and adaptation that EMB will pick up in the coming year and prepared a short background note to pitch this new topic to the Board.
11-12 June 2019: Liam Lachs and Alba González Vega give a closing speech at the EurOCEAN 2019 Conference (Paris, France)
The EMB Young Ambassadors, Liam Lachs and Alba González Vega, presented their vision for future marine science at the closing session of the EurOCEAN 2019 conference. The speech was a result of liaising with the 10 selected PhD-poster presenters in the weeks before and during the conference to discuss their vision for the future of the oceans and the future of marine science. They identified 5 key issues that are fundamental to a sustainable future: open access science; the science policy interface; stakeholder engagement and science communication; education; and gender equality. The contribution and engagement from the young marine scientists during the event was highly appreciate by the conference participants.
21-22 May 2019: Ambassador Training Workshop (Ostend, Belgium)
On 21-22 May 2019, our Young Ambassadors came to Ostend for a training workshop on what the European Marine Board is all about, where we fit in the European marine science-policy landscape, what the trending topics are and which activities they could get involved in.
