Getting Involved

SCOR supports activities covering a wide range of disciplines so anyone interested in getting involved should review SCOR’s current activities to narrow down their interests: capacity development, working groups, large-scale research projects, and infrastructure projects. SCOR distributes news about events, opportunities, and publications from throughout the SCOR network on its website, email and social media (LinkedIn, Bluesky, X, Facebook). Additionally, many working groups and projects also maintain their own websites, email lists, and social media where broader information of interest is provided. Subscribing to the appropriate communication channels will be the best way to know when the following opportunities become available.

Individual scientists can participate in SCOR activities whether or not they reside in a country with a national committee.

Apply for capacity development opportunities

SCOR’s capacity development activities are aimed at developing the skillsets and networks of early-career (students or 10 years since last degree) and developing-country scientists (based on current affiliation). However, any scientist can be eligible to be part of an application, whether it be as a host, meeting organizer, or trainee.

Engage with existing working groups

Working groups are generally proposed to SCOR with their membership already established, although in some cases they need to seek membership replacements or additions. However, many groups choose to host webinars, workshops, or training events that are open to a broader audience to learn from and/or contribute to. Working groups also produce key publications (e.g., data syntheses, conceptual models, best practices) of interest to the broader community. Please review the current working groups to learn more.

Propose a new working group

Proposals for new working groups are accepted every year, following the process described here. Working group proposals are generally organized by the proposed chair(s) and others, who must build an international membership for the proposal. Members can be drawn from connections made at conferences, the networks of colleagues, participants in current SCOR activities, authors of key publications on the subject, advice from the SCOR Secretariat, and other places. SCOR national committees may also make recommendations for the membership during the proposal review process.

Engage with current projects

Membership: SCOR’s large-scale research and infrastructural projects are long-term activities with rotating membership, therefore periodically offering opportunities for nominations (including self nominations) of new members to their scientific steering committees or subcommittees (e.g., data management committees, early-career scientist committees, regional groups). Several projects also connect with national networks of scientists who are conducting the research that contributes to the aims of the project.

Participate in community events: Projects frequently host trainings, webinars, workshops, conference sessions, or open science meetings as platforms for sharing current research addressing the project’s aims.

Seek endorsements or collaborations: If you are involved in a research project or other international effort related to the aims of the project, some projects provide endorsements for such efforts to raise their visibility in the community through the project’s network. Projects may also welcome collaborations for workshops or other joint activities.

Apply to SCOR Executive Committee Early-Career Position

One position on the SCOR Executive Committee, reserved for an early-career scientist (10 years since PhD not including time off for family leave), is selected by an application process in even-numbered years. This opportunity is announced early in the year via SCOR’s communication channels.

Observe SCOR’s Annual Meeting

SCOR’s annual meeting receives reports and presentations about the recent activities of its programs, news from partners, and other items of business. It thus serves as an opportunity to learn about international ocean science activities broadly. The event page for each meeting includes records of annual reports and presentations.

Participate on or form a national committee

SCOR has member national committees who provide the funding, oversight, and connections to national communities of scientists. National committees vary in their organization and can be more or less open to outside involvement. SCOR welcomes interest in forming a national committee where one is not yet present.