FMRI Roadshows Science Requirements Framework
The objective of the Future Marine Research Infrastructure (FMRI) programme is to ensure that the UK is equipped with a research infrastructure that upholds the multi-dimensional elements of scientific excellence including: quality, impact and societal relevance as well as our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. This begins by seeking to understand the requirements of the scientific community.
The future research infrastructure should enable the UK’s marine science aspirations and ambitions, recognising the relevance of marine science to society. It is important to articulate science requirements clearly, thereby enabling priorities, interdependencies, synergies, trade-offs and consequences to be considered in context given the financial and carbon emissions envelope for FMRI. Such an approach will also enable the articulation of priorities for greater ambition if new funding and partnership opportunities arise.
FMRI has the ambitious objective of developing an FMRI Science Requirements Framework (SRF) available for comment by the UK marine science community by the end of 2024, so options for investment can be considered against that framework during 2025. You can contribute to the SRF by joining one of the FMRI Roadshows that will be held in:
Edinburgh (30th April) - Heriot-Watt University of Edinburgh Campus, Edinburgh EH14 4AS
Liverpool (2nd May) - The Liner Hotel, Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool L3 5QB
Exeter (9th May) - University of Exeter, Streatham Drive, Exeter, EX4 4QR
London (25th June) - Friends House, 173 - 177 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ
Hosted by the FMRI Lead Scientist, Dr Katy Hill, these Roadshows will explore each of the five Science Grand Challenges: (1) the ocean in a changing climate, (2) biodiversity and ocean health, (3) marine pollution, its sources, distribution and solutions, (4) strengthening resilience to natural hazards and extreme events, (5) sustainable blue economy and ecosystem services. Specifically, the Roadshows will consider the Science Grand Challenges for: scope and relevance, overarching science questions and knowledge gaps, requirements for sustained or experimental capabilities.