Calendar

SCOR Turns 50! ― SCOR's first annual meeting ended on 26 August 1957.  SCOR will continue its work in promoting international cooperation in ocean science through its 50th year, culminating in a symposium to celebrate SCOR's history and launch its future. This symposium--The Changing Ocean: From Past to Future--will bring together scientists who contributed to SCOR's history, as well as the new generation that will be entrusted with the field's future. Information about the Symposium will be posted here soon.

SCOR Secretariat moves to University of Delaware's College of Marine and Earth Studies ― The SCOR Secretariat officially opened at the College of Marine and Earth Studies at the University of Delaware (Newark) campus on 1 October 2007.  SCOR extends its thanks to the Johns Hopkins University for hosting the Secretariat for 15 years and looks forward to as many productive years in its new home.

Recognition that scientific questions about the ocean often require an interdisciplinary approach led the International Council for Science (ICSU) to form the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) in 1957. SCOR was the first interdisciplinary body formed by ICSU.

SCOR activities focus on promoting international cooperation in planning and conducting oceanographic research, and solving methodological and conceptual problems that hinder research. Scientists from thirty-five nations participate in SCOR working groups and steering committees. Approximately 250 scientists participate in SCOR activities on a voluntary basis at any given time.

Working groups are usually formed of not more than 10 members to deliberate on a narrowly focused topic and develop a publication for the primary scientific literature. Their work is intended to be completed in 4 years or less. SCOR has sponsored--alone or with other organizations--132 working groups, including the current ones. All working groups are expected to produce a final report, organize a workshop or symposium, or otherwise make a significant contribution to advancing understanding of their topic.

SCOR has been instrumental in the planning and coordination of large-scale ocean research projects for long-term, complex activities. SCOR provides a mechanism to bring together international scientists for this purpose.