SOOS & Southern Ocean-related sessions at OSM 26, Glasgow

The Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) is one of the largest international gatherings of oceanographers and marine scientists, held every two years and co-sponsored by AGU, ASLO, and TOS. 

The 2026 edition will take place 22–27 February in Glasgow, Scotland, bringing together researchers from around the world to share the latest developments in ocean science, technology, and policy.

Below is a list of sessions and activities at OSM26 that involve or are led by the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) community. We encourage abstract submissions and participation! Deadline for submission is 20 August 2025.

SOFLUX & Air-Sea Interaction Sessions

• • Session ID: 259704
  • Conveners: Co-convened by SOFLUX Leadership (Marcel du Plessis, Channing Prend, Sarah Nicholson)
  • Topic Area: Air-Sea Interactions
  • Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Session/259704
  • Summary:
    This session explores the mechanisms of air-sea fluxes and feedbacks in polar regions, across scales from turbulence to climate modes. Contributions are invited on the Arctic and Antarctic, covering in situ, satellite, and modelling approaches. Understanding these processes is key to global climate forecasts and emerging polar economies.

  AI001: Advances in Air-Sea Interaction Observations and Remote Sensing: Autonomous Platforms, Multiscale Processes, and Cross-Disciplinary Linkages

• • Session ID: 259701
  • Convener:  Co-convened by Ronald Buss de Souza (SOFLUX Leadership Team Member)
  • Topic Area: Air-Sea Interactions
  • Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Session/259701
  • Summary:
    Highlighting recent advances in autonomous platforms and satellite remote sensing, this session focuses on observing multiscale air-sea processes. It encourages cross-disciplinary studies linking physical fluxes to ecosystem impacts and modelling innovations. Contributions on AI, data fusion, and tool integration are especially welcome.

Carbon Cycle & Biogeochemistry

• • Session ID: 259380
  • Conveners: Cathy Wimart-Rousseau, Meredith Meyer, Thomas Bell, Pablo Trucco Pignata (SOOS SO-OA Hub leadership), Louise Delaigue
  • Topic Area: Air-sea carbon flux, autonomous & ship-based observations, biogeochemical variability
  • Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Session/259380
  • Summary:
    This session seeks studies addressing the drivers of change in polar oceans, including sea ice loss, circulation shifts, and biogeochemical processes. It welcomes observational, remote sensing, and modelling work from both hemispheres. Special emphasis is on new tech, data gaps, and initiatives like MOSAiC and Polar Argo.

• • Session ID: 259363
  • Conveners: Emma Cavan, Sarat Chandra Tripathy (SOOS EXCOM), Simeon Hill
  • Topic Area: High Latitude Environments
  • Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Session/259363
  • Summary:
    Investigates how climate change is altering Southern Ocean pelagic ecosystems and nutrient cycling. Seeks studies on biodiversity, productivity, food webs, and biogeochemical feedbacks. Embraces remote sensing, fieldwork, experiments, and modeling approaches.

High Latitude & Cryosphere Processes

• • Session ID: 259451
  • Conveners: Primary chair Alexander Brearley (WSDML Leadership),  Co-convened: Carolina Dufour (SORP Co-chair), Caroline Holmes, Laura Crews, Nicolas Kolodziejczyk
  • Topic Area: High Latitude Environments
  • Link:https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Session/259451
  • Summary:
    This session focuses on the drivers and variability of the Southern Ocean carbon sink, drawing on observations, models, and synthesis. It encourages studies on air-sea carbon fluxes, climate feedbacks, and carbon storage. Contributions from autonomous, ship-based, and cross-disciplinary efforts are highly encouraged.

  HE015: Variability, Circulation, and Ongoing Change in the Southern Ocean

• • Session ID: HE015
  • Conveners: Earle Wilson, Adele Morrison, Pierpaolo Falco, Annie Foppert
  • Topic Area: High Latitude Environments
  • Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Session/259624 
  • Summary:
    Showcases new insights into Southern Ocean variability, from continental shelf to open ocean and submesoscale to large-scale circulation. Topics include heat transport, sea ice, water mass formation, and atmosphere–ice–ocean coupling. Encourages studies using new observations, modeling, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Technology & Observing Systems

• • Session ID: 255285
  • Conveners:  Andreas Marouchos (SOOS Polar Tech Task Team), Alyce Hancock (SOOS Executive Officer)
  • Topic Area: Ocean Technologies
  • Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Session/255285
  • Summary:
    Focuses on new and emerging technologies to close observation gaps in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. Emphasizes autonomous platforms, winter and under-ice capabilities, and system integration. Welcomes both science applications and engineering innovations.

Open Science & Data

• • Town Hall ID: 25418
  • Organised by the SOOS DMSC including Co-chairs Petra ten Hoopen (British Antarctic Survey) and Antonio Novellino (EMODNET)
  • Format: Town Hall
  • Link:https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Session/254185
  • Summary:
    This town hall will explore challenges in polar data accessibility and open science, with a focus on marine observational platforms. Feedback will guide the development of SOOSmap and inform a future Arctic equivalent. Participants will help shape priorities for more integrated, accessible polar data systems.