CONFERENCE SESSIONS AND TOPICS
SESSION 1. Education and training for the next generation of scientific divers
Specific Topics:
- Describing training courses experiences performed in the field of scientific diving in Europe and worldwide.
- Analyzing the state of the art of training courses currently adopted and/or implemented in Europe and worldwide, at both academic and non-academic level, and assessing the effectiveness of the training methodologies and programmes adopted.
- Discussing the training gaps (topics to be covered in the future, also considering the ever-increasing use of new technologies and digital skills).
- Discussing the possible scientific diving training courses paths to be differentiated for different students’ backgrounds.
SESSION 2. Challenges and Implications of Scientific Diving
Specific Topics:
- The advancement of Scientific Diving through Digital Technologies
- Green Scientific Diving and sustainability in the Blue Economy era
- Adoption of Guidelines, Regulations and Standards in Scientific Diving (at various scales)
- Ocean Literacy and the Publicization of the Underwater Knowledge
- Multidisciplinary approaches and Consensual practices
- Regional implementations and local frameworks
SESSION 3. Operational challenges
Specific Topics:
- Discussing the challenges of biological work involving the sampling of organisms or behavioral studies underwater with various practical examples.
- Discussing the challenges of scientific work on archaeological and/or underwater cultural heritage sites with various practical examples.
- Discussing of the challenges of geological work underwater with various practical examples.
SESSION 4. Towards a common Occupational Framework for Scientific Diving
Specific Topics:
- A legal framework for Scientific Diving in EU and globally. Identifying challenges & bridging the gaps.
- Recognizing scientific divers among recreational, commercial, and professional divers when working together.
- Connecting academia and marine industry. Career paths for young scientific divers.
- How to support young scientific divers and academic students to gain skills and experience in scientific diving.
CONFERENCE VENUE & ATTENDANCE
The conference will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta, however, it will be a hybrid event that will welcome all participants who can join either physically or online. Keep in mind that participation is free and both speakers and audience must register online.
To register for the conference, please follow the link
CONFERENCE LANGUAGE ENGLISH
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
Abstracts must be in English with a character limit between 2000-5000 characters, including spaces. Please use the attached template form and send your abstract proposal to: abstract.sd@marinecluster.com indicating the session you wish to participate in and the contact author’s name and email address. It is kindly requested to clarify in the email whether you intend to participate in person or online, as priority will be given to speakers who can attend in person. Information about the paper guidelines and review process will be provided soon. For any questions or further information please contact: office@marinecluster.com
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Abstract submission by 28th February 2023
Abstract acceptance confirmation by March 15th 2023
Deadline for full paper submission 31st May 2023
