On December 10, 2024, the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) Facilities Board (OOIFB), supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), hosted a Town Hall at the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Meeting in Washington, DC.
In addition to receiving a quick update on recent and upcoming OOIFB activities, and a brief recap of 2024 activities from the NSF OOI program, a large part of the town hall event was dedicated to an interactive community discussion with observatory representatives about adjacent research activities (opportunities and challenges). Approximately 45 participants attended the Town Hall, many of which were new users to the OOI and have signed up to join the OOIFB community listserv.
After hearing from panelists about research examples and opportunities with OOI and NOAA, including new instrumentation deployed at the Coastal Pioneer Array, machine learning applications at the Regional Cabled Array (RCA), acoustic fish tag research through the Endurance Array, and opportunities with the NOAA Ocean Acidification program, participants were able to ask questions of the OOIFB, OOI Program, NSF, and NOAA. Participants raised questions about observatory and cruise opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico, potential technology testing related to marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR), sediment geochemistry and other topics. The session was well-received by all who attended, and many participants continued discussions with panelists after the session had completed, and/or followed up with representatives in the exhibit hall. DIscussion panel members included:
- Dax Soule (Queens College, OOIFB Chair, session moderator)
- Jim Edson (WHOI, OOI-PMO)
- Al Plueddemann (WHOI, OOI Coastal/Global Array Representative:)
- Ed Dever (OSU, OOI Endurance Array Representative)
- Mike Vardaro (UW, OOI Regional Cabled Array Representative)
- George Voulgaris (U.S. National Science Foundation)
- Kaity Goldsmith (NOAA, Ocean Acidification Program)
Researchers who are using or are considering using observatory data, scientists interested in adding instrumentation to the OOI infrastructure, and educators at all levels were encouraged to attend this event. Continued community feedback is key- if you have any additional questions/comments about adjacent research activities and/or the PI process, please provide them, here.
Town Hall Title: Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) Town Hall: Discussing Opportunities for Observatory-Based Research
Date and Time: Tuesday, 10 December 2024: 12:30 – 13:30 EST
Location: Marriott Marquis, Room: Capitol/Congress
Session Type: In-Person Only Session
Final Session #: TH23D
