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The University of Southampton
Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute

Senior French scientists visit NOCS to learn more about subsea mining research

dockside

Senior officials and scientists from the French Embassy in London have visited the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS) to find out more about current Ocean and Earth Science (OES) research at the University of Southampton.

The meeting with the Embassy's Physical Sciences and Innovation Science and Technology Department was hosted by Professor Damon Teagle; Both the UK and French governments are interested in exploring joint opportunities in this field.

Guests including Dr Cyrille Van Effenterre, Counsellor for Science and Technology and Dr Mariana Beija, Science and Technology Officer, saw presentations on several major research projects, some funded by the European Union. They also toured the waterfront building, met scientists, and Professor Rachel Mills explained how Ocean and Earth Science Southampton, new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) "Exploring our Oceans" has helped tens of thousands of people across the globe find out more about the world's oceans.

"We were pleased to welcome these senior French scientists and explain more about our cutting edge research into mineral resources, subsea mining and its implications," explains Damon. "Researchers at NOCS are working around in oceans across the globe to better understand seafloor mineralization and learn more about the impact of mining the seabed. We welcome collaborations to further our understanding."

Researchers who spoke about their work included Professor Steve Roberts, Dr Bramley Murton and Dr Rachael James (Seafloor mineral resources), Dr Chris Hauton and Dr Henry Ruhl, (Sea floor ecosystems/biology affected by seafloor mining) and Dr Tim Henstock (Geophysical expertise in seafloor mineral resource exploration). The visitors also learned about the University's expertise in Maritime Law (Dr Andrew Serdy), its links with Lloyds' Register and the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute.

There are already many links between NOCS and French researchers through a wide range of EU projects, Marie Curie Networks and scientific ocean drilling. Degree programmes at Ocean and Earth Science include a popular MSci Oceanography with French including a year's study at the prestigious University of Bordeaux.

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