We are pleased to announce a one-day symposium on Thursday, 19 March at the Grand Auditorium of the Institute of Natural Sciences, celebrating 25 years of in-house scientific diving.
Over the past quarter century, our scientific diving team has supported and advanced marine and environmental research in remarkable ways. This symposium will showcase the breadth and impact of that work.
The programme will include:
- An opening introduction
- Eight scientific presentations highlighting key research achievements
- A dedicated session on the training programme we organise for the Belgian occupational scientific diving sector
- Presentations on the Belgian and international professional frameworks supporting scientific diving
- An inspiring example of citizen science diving and collaborative initiatives
The impact of this work is reflected in:
- ~10 completed PhDs (with 2 ongoing)
- 36 A1 peer-reviewed publications
- Numerous technical and policy-supporting reports
- More than 800 scientific diving missions, good for more than 4500 man dives
All participants will receive a printed book of abstracts on 19 March 2026.
Register by 10 March to secure your spot: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoLj6Dlohw8nyZZ3xu1vVLQaSRu37xESXuHKMRR9doZPeeWA/viewform
We look forward to welcoming colleagues, partners, and collaborators to celebrate 25 years of scientific diving and to discuss the future of this unique research field.
Coördination: Alain Norro, MARECO – Marine Ecology and Management, Institute of Natural Sciences