A new era for ocean and earth sciences in the UK

A new era for ocean and earth science research began this week as the Southampton Oceanography Centre changed its name to the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. The name change coincides with the arrival of the Centre’s new Director, Professor Ed Hill, who took up the post on 1 May.

Said Professor Hill, “The formal designation as a National Centre, with the accompanying change of name, is a natural progression for the Centre. It reinforces its position and reflects the expectation that it will act as the national focus for oceanography. This will also facilitate in an inclusive way a strategic coordination of research for the UK’s marine and earth science community.”

He added, “I am delighted to be taking over as the new Director. The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton is the UK’s largest marine centre and one of just a handful of oceanographic institutions in the world capable of sustaining research with global reach.”

The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton will build on the achievements and science investments already made at the former SOC. It will better equip the UK’s marine science community to rise to the challenges of the 21st Century, and will ensure that the UK is able to maintain its position in the international ’premier league’ of oceanography. NOCS will be an integrated Centre, jointly owned by the Natural Environment Research Council and the University of Southampton.