SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOPS
The Alaska Marine Science Symposium is the perfect venue to host additional meetings and workshops related to science, management, policy, data, engagement, and more. Please click on the link below and enter your workshop and/or meeting request. Workshops and meetings that have been added to the symposium will be added to this page when confirmed.
Meeting & Workshop Locations
The 2024 Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS) will be held at the Hotel Captain Cook and Eagan Center. Coordinating outside meetings and/or workshops related to AMSS should be planned around the week-long event during times that do not conflict with symposium events. These include keynote and plenary sessions and poster presentations. Contact the symposium coordinator for any questions.
As AMSS 2025 approaches, events will be posted here along with important planning details. Only public meetings and/or workshops will be posted to the AMSS website.
Please note that a Media Room will be made available each day of the symposium in the Whitby Room.
CONFIRMED OUTSIDE MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS
Communicating Ocean Sciences Workshop,
Featuring Award-Winning Author, Dr. Faith Kearns
January 27th | 9am - 12pm | Discovery Ballroom | Public Workshop
Dr. Faith Kearns, award-winning author of Getting to the Heart of Science Communication, will lead this workshop discussing important findings from her book and research with the goal to get participants thinking about and acting on how to re-center personal connections in science communication. Dr. Kearns is currently the Director of Research Communication for the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative at Arizona State University. Her previous work has included developing science communication projects for the Ecological Society of America, serving as a AAAS Science and Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of State, and bridging science and policy advocacy efforts at the Pew Charitable Trusts. More info about Dr. Kearns and her book can be found here.
Time & Location For Workshops To Be Determined Soon!
Alaska acoustic telemetry research forum
Tuesday, January 28th | 12:00-1:00pm | Voyager Room | Public Workshop
This workshop will be an opportunity for researchers who are studying (or are interested in studying) fish or crab movement with acoustic telemetry to meet and learn about other current or proposed research projects in Alaska. The goals are to map current or proposed efforts in Alaskan waters (e.g., locations of receivers and tagged animals), share logistical experiences, and brainstorm strategic receiver locations that would benefit research for multiple species. In addition, a description and update on the new Northeast Pacific Acoustic Telemetry (N-PAcT) node will be provided.
Past, Present, and Future Management of Coastal Resources in Alaska
Tuesday, January 28th | 12:00-1:00pm | Resolution Room | Public Workshop
The Coastal Zone Management Program is a voluntary partnership between the federal government and coastal/Great Lakes states and territories. Despite having more shoreline than the rest of the United States combined, Alaska is the only eligible state in the country to opt out of having a Coastal Zone Management Program. The objective of this workshop is to learn about Alaska’s Coastal Management Program (which ended in 2011), hear from experts about coastal management more broadly, and discuss challenges, gaps, or opportunities that have arisen since the program’s end in 2011. This workshop is great for resource managers, scientists, experts, people who live in coastal communities, community leaders, and anyone who has an interest in Alaska’s coasts.
Sharing stories about disabilities, health conditions and chronic illness as scientists
Tuesday, January 28th | 12:00-1:00pm | Whitby Room | Public Workshop
This workshop will consist of a lecture by Skylar Bayer on the published book, “Uncharted: How Scientists Navigate Their Own Health, Research, and Experiences of Bias”and a discussion afterward about disabilities, medical conditions and chronic illness in science. This presentation will focus on the importance of storytelling to communicate important cultural issues in science, how disability is an important aspect of diversity in the field, and messages of inclusion communicated through the stories of Uncharted. The book is a collection of first-person stories by scientists who come with a broad diversity of demographics, disciplines, career stages, medical conditions, disabilities, and experiences of accessibility and bias in science. As marine scientists, they arranged the book with a nautical journey in mind, making parallels between the uncharted journey on a ship, as they both experienced in graduate school, with the uncharted journey of science and medical diagnosis.
Alaska Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy
Wednesday, January 29th | 12:00-1:00pm | Quadrant Room | Public Workshop
Are you a student who studies marine mammals in Alaska? Do you want to be? This is the workshop for you! During this workshop, join the rest of the members of the Alaska Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, a newly formed nonprofit organization, to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we can help you achieve your marine mammalogy goals. Our mission is focused on providing academic & professional networking, as well as financial assistance to our members through research, travel, and tuition funds/grants. If you love marine mammals, come check us out!
Alaska Marine Research Planning Night
Wednesday, January 29th | 6:00-9:00pm | Quarterdeck | Public Workshop
Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) will again be hosting the Alaska Marine Research Planning Night. This event is held in the Quarter Deck to encourage the networking aspect of this event, instead of just more presentations. AOOS encourages marine researchers throughout Alaska to provide 1-5 slides that highlights cruise/field timing, location, duration, disciplines, vessel/platform, and opportunities for bunk space or data collection. AOOS will provide appetizers and a cash bar (we are Federally funded, so sadly we can’t provide the free drinks). Please send slides to Sheyna Wisdom at wisdom@aoos.org.
BLE LTER Business Meeting
Wednesday & Thursday, January 29-30th | 5:00-8:00pm | Quadrant Room | Private Meeting
Beaufort Lagoon Ecosystems Long-term Ecological Research project annual PI and business meeting.
Community Education Night
Wednesday, January 29th | 6:00-8:00pm | Adventure Room | Public Workshop
Community Education Nights make science accessible by using simple language and interactive activities. Come for pizza and cookies, short scientist presentations, a relaxed setting, and an opportunity to mingle and enjoy easy guided engagement with the science presented. Great for teachers, students, experts, community members and anyone who has interest in Alaska’s marine landscape.
Exploring Ocean Iron Solutions for Marine CDR: An Information Exchange Event
Wednesday, January 29th | 6:00-8:00pm | Easter Island Room | Public Workshop
The Exploring Ocean Iron Solutions (ExOIS) consortium (oceaniron.org) strives to transparently and ethically advance research on whether ocean iron fertilization can be an effective and acceptable method of marine CDR. The first 5 year phase of this international program is planned to begin in 2026 with large scale field trials in the eastern subarctic Pacific. Design of the field experiments is underway to both quantify the durability of iron-induced carbon export to the deep ocean, and to assess the ecological and societal impacts that may arise from long term implementation. The ExOIS program office invites you to an informal information exchange event to hear from ExOIS members about the program’s mission and objectives, to become familiar with our planning activities, and to contribute your perspectives. This session is primer for an ongoing process of communication, and there will be more opportunities to engage and collaborate as the ExOIS program evolves.
Exploring Research and Collaboration Opportunities with Mariculture Operations
Thursday, January 30th | 5:00-7:00pm | Quarterdeck | Public Workshop
The Kelp Values project, funded by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council in 2022, explores the cultural, social, and economic feasibility of the kelp farming industry in southcentral Alaska, the area primarily impacted by the oil spill. This workshop brings together marine scientists, resource managers, and mariculture operators to discuss collaborative research at mariculture sites, which offer unique opportunities for environmental monitoring. With operators regularly tending these nearshore sites, they are ideal for passive monitoring equipment and other research initiatives. In exchange for hosting these platforms, operators could receive additional revenue. This workshop will gather input on desired data collection and compensation models to support these partnerships. The findings will guide a companion session at the Mariculture Conference of Alaska in Sitka in February 2025, where mariculturists’ interest and compensation needs for potential research collaborations will be further explored.
Marine Debris - Roadmap for Research
Thursday, January 30th | 12:00-1:00pm | Quadrant Room | Public Workshop
Marine debris is a multi-faceted issue, with many different sources, pathways, impacts, and solutions that pose unique research questions. This workshop is an opportunity to gather researchers interested in marine debris and start to build a roadmap to prioritize and order research actions to address these questions to better understand and address debris impacts.
Annual Marine Mammal Stranding and Entanglement Meeting
Friday, January 31st | 9:00-4:00pm | Quarterdeck | Public Workshop
Alaska marine mammal stranding and entanglement network members will provide presentations on recent stranding and entanglement events, research, and other highlights for around Alaska. This workshop is open to the public and will have a virtual option.
Bering Sea Crab Research Meeting
Friday, January 31st | 9:00-12:00pm | Whitby Room | Public Workshop
New research efforts are underway to help us understand why Bristol Bay red king crab and eastern Bering Sea snow crab stocks are in decline. The purpose of this meeting is to bring together scientists and AMSS collaborators to introduce new and ongoing projects, provide planning and cruise updates, and discuss synergistic activities related to data collection, analysis, and outreach efforts.
CMI Annual Review
Friday, January 31st | 8:00-12:00pm | Endeavor Room | Public Workshop
This workshop presents updates on eight current environmental research projects funded through the Coastal Marine Institute Program. The CMI, a collaboration between the University of Alaska (CFOS), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the State of Alaska, works to inform management of energy resources in Alaska's Outer Continental Shelf regions. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in learning about ongoing research programming.
Discussion session on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Alaska
Friday, January 31st | 9:00-12:00pm | Easter Island Room | Public Workshop
The Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom (AHAB) network is gathering to discuss current and upcoming activities related to HABs in Alaska. Topics will include: 2025 HAB field work, future deployments of Imaging FlowCytoBots (IFCBs), development of communication materials, status of HAB-related funding proposals, following up on HAB presentations at AMSS, and HAB data working group development. The Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) is hosting this discussion and will provide snacks and coffee/tea.
Reviewing and Refreshing Science Mission Requirements for Future Icebreakers in the Arctic
Friday, January 31st | 9:00-11:30am | Adventure Room | Public Workshop
The UNOLS Arctic Marine Research Capabilities Committee is charged with reviewing and refreshing science missions and affiliated science mission requirements for future Federal Icebreakers operating in the Arctic Ocean and other northern regions. The activities of the Committee will be reviewed and input will be sought to define future science mission scenarios from which to develop requirements for capabilities for a future vessel.
e-DNA: A single sample for a million questions
Friday, January 31st | 8:00-5:00pm | Quadrant Room | Private Meeting
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is rapidly gaining traction in biomonitoring research in Alaska. At this time, eDNA is most commonly used by state and federal agencies, with very few publicly available training opportunities for groups like tribal entities. To address this knowledge gap, the southwest eDNA working group made up of researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), Ivanoff Bay Tribe, and Aleut Community of St. Paul Island will host a day-long, invite-based interactive eDNA workshop in Anchorage, Alaska. The objective of this workshop is to provide hands-on training for various field and laboratory techniques commonly used in eDNA science. Using an eDNA curriculum developed by SALMONg, LLC, members of the southwest eDNA working group will 1) introduce eDNA science, 2) guide attendees through hands-on field and laboratory techniques required for eDNA analyses, 3) address the nuances of eDNA data interpretation, and 4) assess communities needs relating to eDNA science.
Gathering for Indigenous-Led Science, Management, and Practice: Shared opportunities and creative solutions in Alaska
Friday, January 31st | 9:00-5:00pm | Aft Deck Room | Private Meeting
This workshop brings together a diverse group working within the Indigenous-led science and ecosystem management space across and within Alaska. In a series of guided discussions, we will explore both the transformative potential and the ongoing challenges of equitably bridging Indigenous Knowledge and western science in research and management. Participants will share specific barriers they face and collectively brainstorm ways to build sustainable, mutually-supportive pathways. The session will consider responsibilities and guiding ethical principles of researchers, the fundamentals of relational research and knowledge co-production, barriers to Indigenous-led approaches, creative evaluation processes for co-led projects, and future session creation based on participant feedback. The ultimate purpose of this workshop is to continue to strengthen relationships and collaborations across geographies, institutions, and researchers in Alaska. We will: share experiences interacting with/applying co-production frameworks, explore opportunities to advance Indigenous methodologies, contribute to our relationships while also fostering new collaborations, and foster shared resilience.
Conference is Invite-Only. Please contact l.eckert@oceans.ubc.ca if you are interested in participating.
Metadata 411 with Axiom Data Science
Friday, January 31st | 9:00-12:00pm | Voyager Room | Public Workshop
This long-form workshop is designed to provide hands on experience authoring scientific metadata for ocean and earth science data collections. Data librarians from Axiom Data Science will provide a brief introduction to data management, metadata, and the open data landscape, then provide step by step instructions on using the Axiom provided Research Workspace platform (researchworkspace.com) for submitting data and metadata according to funder requirements. Participants will be authoring metadata live, in a practice project or for their own work, with help available from the Axiom team. As such, please bring an internet enabled device (preferably a laptop, over a tablet) in order to practice alongside us. There will be ample time for Q & A and consulting over project specifics.
Chugach Imaq Research Collaborative
TBD | Private Meeting
The goal of the Chugach Imaq Research Collaborative (CIRC) is to build a better collaborative foundation for co-producing science used to support co-management of marine mammals and ecosystems in the Chugach Region. CIRC, which was formed in 2024, includes members from the National Park Service, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Marine Mammal Commission, Indigenous Sentinels Network, and other regional and local partners, such as the Native Village of Eyak. This workshop will build on CIRC's inaugural meeting, which was held in Cordova in September, bring together additional partners, and help make key steps to furthering CIRC's goals.