Ocean: UNESCO urges investment in oceanographic research

PRESS RELEASE   Ocean: UNESCO urges investment in oceanographic research   Paris, 7 June 2025 – On the eve of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which will take place in Nice from 9 June, UNESCO is calling for an unprecedented surge in scientific engagement for the ocean, as well as unveiling new initiatives centred around seabed mapping and the creation of a global network for ocean observation.   "To this day, we know less about the ocean floor than we do about the surface of the Moon. Learning from the ocean is the greatest scientific adventure of our time. To succeed, the international community can no longer ignore scientists' warnings and must invest massively in oceanographic research – which currently represents less than 2% of national research budgets," said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.   While in Nice to represent UNESCO, the United Nations agency responsible for ocean science, Audrey Azoulay will call for stronger engagement from States to support global oceanographic research and the scientists who conduct it. The commitments made at this Conference will contribute to the objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science, led by UNESCO, which since 2021 has already launched more than 700 projects and raised $1.5 billion in funding.   Scaling up seabed mapping   Mapping the seabed and its biodiversity is the foundation upon which all marine knowledge depends. It is essential for understanding the effects of climate disruption, protecting ecosystems, forecasting disasters, and guiding the management of marine spaces. Led by UNESCO and the International Hydrographic Organization, with support from the Nippon Foundation, high-resolution seabed mapping now covers 26.1% of the world's ocean floor – up from less than 6% in 2017.   Despite this progress, around 25% more data remain in the hands of public or private actors. Making these datasets publicly available through UNESCO's open-access mapping platform would represent a major step forward for global oceanographic research. In Nice, several countries – including Canada, Germany, Monaco, Norway, and Portugal – as well as international and private-sector organizations, will announce new commitments alongside UNESCO to publicly share their data.   Creating the world's largest real-time ocean observation network   Understanding the ocean also requires continuous observation. To collect this data, UNESCO is equipping ships with scientific measuring instruments that transmit real-time data to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), which is coordinated by the Organization. More than 2,000 vessels are already equipped – including those from the Vendée Globe sailing competition and commercial fleets.   In Nice, UNESCO will announce its target to involve 10,000 commercial vessels by 2035, calling upon its Member States and leaders among the shipping industry to join this unprecedented global ocean observation network. Ships will be equipped with meteorological and oceanographic instruments that transmit real-time data, helping to better assess the effects of climate disruption, anticipate extreme weather events, and improve maritime safety.   Harnessing citizen science to map marine species   Since 2021, UNESCO has developed a standardized environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling method to identify thousands of marine species rapidly and cost-effectively. Following a pilot phase across 21 UNESCO World Heritage marine sites – during which nearly 4,500 species were identified from 500 samples – the programme now aims to collect 2,500 samples across 25 marine sites designated by UNESCO, five times more than during the pilot phase. These citizen science expeditions take place in iconic natural areas, listed as World Heritage or designated as Biosphere Reserves. They mobilize UNESCO experts, scientists, and volunteers – including students, teachers, and associated schools – to better understand and protect rare and fragile ecosystems.   Learn more UNESCO's Ocean Programmes UNESCO's call to action on seabed mapping About UNESCO   With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions, with a global network of 200 National Commissions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.   "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.   More information: www.unesco.org   Press contact François Wibaux, f.wibaux@unesco.org, +33 1 45 68 07 46   UNESCO Newsroom All our press releases   Social media

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CfPs: JNU-SCSNEI National Seminar on Ecology, Sustainability and Community Practices in North East India | 27-28 Nov

Special Centre for the Study of North East India (SCSNEI)
Jawaharlal Nehru University

Is organizing a National Seminar on

"Ecology, Sustainability and Community Practices in North East India"

27-28 November 2025
at Jawaharlal Nehru University

 

Call for Abstracts

As part of the Eastern Himalayan and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots, North East India hosts approximately 8,000 species of flowering plants, 800 bird species, and numerous endemic mammals. The region supports diverse ecosystems, ranging from the subtropical rainforests of Manipur to the alpine meadows of Sikkim and the vast Brahmaputra floodplains of Assam. These ecosystems provide critical services, such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and livelihoods for millions.

 

However, North East India faces significantly critical environmental challenges in recent times. Deforestation, infrastructure development, and illegal logging, has led to habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. Climate change compounds these issues, with rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, and frequent extreme weather events, such as floods in Assam, landslides in Arunachal Pradesh and GLOF in Sikkim.

 

Community practices in North East India are rooted in traditional ecological knowledge and therefore foster sustainable resource management. In spite of their resilience, however, the community practices in the region face threats from infrastructural projects, land privatization, technological intervention and policy gaps. While community-led conservation has drawn inspiration from broader environmental movements, the region's unique socio-ecological context requires smart and well thought-out solutions that integrate traditional knowledge with modern sustainability frameworks.

 

The seminar aims to facilitate dialogue among our young scholars on issues around ecology, sustainability, and community practices in North East India, contributing to the Viksit Bharat vision. It will also highlight successful models, such as Sikkim's organic farming and Assam's community-based flood adaptation strategies, while addressing challenges like climate vulnerabilities and policy implementation. The conference seeks to co-create strategies for ecological resilience, sustainable development, and community empowerment in the region and its surrounding milieu.

 

We invite abstracts from the young scholars in Social Sciences, North East Studies, Himalayan Studies, Border Studies, and related fields. Submissions should be 250-300 words, clearly outlining the research focus, methodology, and relevance to the conference sub themes, accompanied by 4-6 keywords.

 

Eligibility:
•    PhD scholars
•    Young faculty at colleges, universities, or research institutes
•    Emerging researchers affiliated with recognized research organizations and  policy institutes

 

Submission Guidelines:
Abstracts should engage with any of the sub-themes of the conference: Cultural Narratives of Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change and Community Resilience, Sustainable Livelihoods through Agro-biodiversity and Eco-tourism, Social Dimensions of Green Economies, Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Heritage, Gender and Youth in Sustainability, Community-Based Governance,  and Policy & Social Justice. Submit abstracts as a Word document to scsneijnuseminars@gmail.com with the subject line "Abstract Submission: Seminar 2025." Include a brief bio note (50 to 100 words) detailing institutional affiliation and contact information.

 

Key Dates:
Abstract Submission Deadline: 15 July 2025
Notification of Acceptance/Rejection: 7 August 2025
Full Paper Submission Deadline: 15 October 2025

 

Conference Mode: Hybrid (in-person at JNU and virtual, subject to funding)

 

Selected papers may be published in a peer-reviewed edited volume or a reputed journal of a special issue. The conference provides a platform for shaping policy-relevant discussions on sustainable development in North East India.

 

For any further inquiry, contact Vimal Khawas/G Amarjit Sharma in the given email address.

Five Exceptional Researchers win the 2025 L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards

PRESS RELEASE   Five Exceptional Researchers win the 2025 L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards   Paris, 26 May 2025 - The Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO are proud to announce the names of the five international laureates of the 2025 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards.   On 12 June at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, these researchers will be recognised for their pioneering contributions to physical sciences, mathematics and computer science. Together, these Laureates embody the profound impact of women in science by conducting outstanding research, advancing our understanding of the world, tackling global challenges and inspiring future generations, particularly young women, to push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. Click here to view the full press kit Their work is driving scientific progress in areas such as data security, green energy, air pollution, real-time health monitoring, and the fundamental understanding of the universe — breakthroughs with the potential to revolutionize technology, strengthen global resilience, and improve quality of life.   Each year, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards honour five exceptional women, representing each of the following regions: Africa and the Arab States; Asia and the Pacific; Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; North America.   For this 27th edition, the Laureates were selected from a pool of 466 nominees, through a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an independent jury chaired by Professor Artur Avila, Professor at the Institute of Mathematics University of Zurich (Switzerland), Extraordinary Researcher at Instituto de Mathematica Pura e Aplicada (Brazil) and Fields Medal winner in 2014.     LAUREATES OF THE 2025 L'ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS   LAUREATE FOR AFRICA AND THE ARAB STATES Professor Priscilla Baker, Analytical chemistry Professor of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa   Rewarded for her outstanding contribution in the field of highly sensitive electrochemical microsensors for detecting contaminants in the environment, with applications in pharmaceuticals, food, health and energy. Her dedication as a mentor in analytical electrochemistry has empowered students and early-career scientists to undertake innovative research projects in this field.     LAUREATE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Professor Xiaoyun Wang, Cryptography and applied mathematics Chen-Ning Yang Professorship, Institute for Advanced Study, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China   Rewarded for her significant contribution to cryptography and cryptographic mathematics, critical for secure data communication and storage. Her breakthrough work showed essential flaws on hash functions, which are widely used in communication protocols and led to the invention of the new hash function standards. Today, these standards are used for bank cards, computer passwords, and e-commerce. The visibility of her revolutionary work has encouraged many female students to pursue a research career in mathematics and network security.   LAUREATE FOR EUROPE  Professor Claudia Felser, Condensed matter physics Director and Scientific Member, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden, Germany   Rewarded for her pioneering work at the crossroads of physics, mathematics and chemistry that led to the discovery and creation of new magnetic materials with great promise for future green energy technologies. Her visionary approach has paved the way for the new field of "topological quantum chemistry" and sparked a revolution in the field of relativistic matter. Her outstanding dedication and impact have built a bridge from fundamental science to real-world challenges in data storage and green energy technologies. She is a leading figure in communicating the relevance of science to the public, including by encouraging and mentoring young generations, especially women, to pursue a career in science.   LAUREATE FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Professor Maria Teresa Dova, Particle and fields physics Professor at Physics Department, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, and Senior Researcher at National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), La Plata, Argentina   Rewarded for her key contributions to high energy physics including the discovery and characterization of the Higgs boson, the search for new physics and her remarkable work in the study of cosmic ray physics. Her leadership in the field and her exceptional dedication to mentoring young scientists have inspired a new generation and led Argentina to play a major role in experimental physics worldwide.   LAUREATE FOR NORTH AMERICA Professor Barbara Finlayson-Pitts, Environmental science Distinguished Professor Emerita, Chemistry Department and Founder/Co-Director, Atmospheric Integrated Research Institute, University of California, Irvine, United States of America Rewarded for her groundbreaking research revealing new processes in the formation of air pollution as photochemical smog, she established the molecular basis of reactions at the interfaces between atmosphere and airborne particles. Her unique ability to translate fundamental findings into real-life applications have led to seminal contributions to public policy and regulations on atmospheric chemistry, ultimately improving air quality. Her enthusiasm made her a passionate and remarkable professor and mentor.   27 YEARS OF EMPOWERING WOMEN IN SCIENCE Today, women still only account for just over one in three researchers globally (31.1%) according to UNESCO data.[1] That is why the Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO have been working together for 27 years through the For Women in Science Programme to empower and promote women in science. By supporting them to overcome barriers and advance their careers, this long-lasting partnership enables women scientists to contribute to pushing the frontiers of knowledge and solving the major challenges of our time – for the benefit of all. Since its creation, the L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Programme has celebrated and supported more than 4700 women for the excellence of their research, including 137 laureates of the International Awards and more than 4500 young female researchers. Among the Laureates, seven have received a Nobel Prize in science.   "In a world facing unprecedented challenges - climate change, health crises, digital security - science is more essential than ever. And at the heart of this urgency, we need women," says Pauline Avenel, Executive Director of the Fondation L'Oréal. "For 27 years, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has supported talented women who contribute to solving the greatest challenges of our time. By honoring the 2025 Laureates, we recognize their contribution to scientific progress and their crucial role in meeting the challenges of tomorrow."   "UNESCO's commitment to gender equality in science is at the heart of our mission to advance knowledge globally. We believe that joining forces with our partners to empower women in science is key to build a sustainable future and addressing the complex challenges facing our world", said Lidia Brito, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences at UNESCO. "The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme provides women scientists with the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserve. By celebrating the 2025 Laureates and each new generation of female researchers, we move closer to a world where the contributions of women are fully valued in every scientific field, and where we all benefit from their achievements."   [1] Data for 2022, the most recent year at the time of writing. UNESCO Institute for Statistics, see: https://databrowser.uis.unesco.org/   About the Fondation L'Oréal   The Fondation L'Oréal supports and empowers women to shape their future and make a difference in society. It focuses its action on two main areas: science and inclusive beauty.   Science: encouraging women's scientific excellence and inspiring future generations. The Fondation L'Oréal is committed to supporting women scientists at every stage of their careers, from sparking vocations at a young age to recognizing excellence in established researchers. This commitment translates into an intergenerational approach and dedicated programmes. In partnership with UNESCO, Fondation L'Oréal has run the international For Women in Science programme since 1998. This programme aims to accelerate the careers of women scientists, remove the obstacles they face, and inspire younger generations to embrace scientific careers. To date, the programme has supported more than 4,700 researchers from over 140 countries, promoting scientific excellence and encouraging many young women to pursue scientific studies. The Fondation L'Oréal also invests in the future of women in science through its For Girls in Science programme. This programme aims to inspire scientific vocations in young girls by raising their awareness of the scientific challenges of tomorrow and introducing them to inspiring female role models. The goal is to support and encourage the next generation of female scientists, giving them the keys to succeed in scientific fields.   Inclusive Beauty: restoring self-esteem and promoting professional integration. Convinced that beauty contributes to the process of rebuilding lives, the Fondation L'Oréal helps vulnerable women to improve their self-esteem through free beauty and wellness treatments. These treatments help restore their self-esteem and help them regain confidence. At the same time, the Fondation L'Oréal promotes the professional integration of vulnerable women through excellent training in beauty professions. On average, 16,000 women benefit from these treatments each year, and more than 67,000 people have been trained in beauty professions since the programme's launch.     About UNESCO   With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.   "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.  More information: www.unesco.org   Press contact François Wibaux, f.wibaux@unesco.org, +33 1 45 68 07 46   UNESCO Newsroom All our press releases   Social media

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One Week Hands-on Workshop on Scientometrics & Network Science | 14-18 July, Gurugram, India

One Week Hands-on Workshop on Scientometrics & Network Science

Venue: Hub C, BML Munjal University (BMU), Gurugram, Haryana.

Date: July 14 to 18, 2025

Mode: In-person

Brochure | Online Registration

Hosted by Center for Advanced Data and Computational Science, School of Engineering & Technology, BMU, Gurugram, Haryana

Workshop Introduction: In today's rapidly expanding academic landscape, the ability to systematically analyse scientific output has become crucial. Scientometrics—the quantitative study of scholarly literature—offers essential tools to assess research performance, track publication trends, and inform strategic decisions in academia and policy. When combined with network science, these tools go beyond metrics like citation counts to reveal the complex relationships between authors, institutions, and ideas, offering deeper insight into how knowledge is created and shared. This workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of social network analysis (SNA) and its powerful applications in bibliometric research. Through hands-on sessions with tools like Gephi, Scopus, and MetaInfoSci, attendees will learn to map and analyse research networks, detect collaboration patterns, and identify emerging trends across disciplines. Whether in healthcare, social science, law, or technology, mastering these techniques will enable participants to uncover hidden insights, strengthen research impact, and make more informed, data-driven decisions.

Workshop Objectives

• Equip participants with foundational SNA knowledge and skills to understand key metrics and model real-world networks.
• Enable participants to apply SNA tools using Gephi for network analysis across disciplines, and work with Scopus data and the MetaInfoSci tool to explore bibliometric and collaboration networks.

Key Learning Areas

• Introduction to social network analysis
• Key metrics of network science, centrality measures
• Community detection
• Network models
• Introduction and hands-on with Gephi software
• Introduction and hands-on with scopus database and MetaInfoSci web tool
• Hands-on with different case studies: Healthcare, Social Science, Library Science, Law, Management & Technology.

 DAY-WISE SCHEDULE

• Day 1: Foundations of Social Network Analysis
• Objective: Understand the Basics of SNA and Its Significance.
• Day 2: Network Metrics and Centrality Measures
• Objective: Learn Key Metrics for Network Interpretation.
• Day 3: Metainfosci & Data Collection from Scopus
• Objective: Learn to Extract and Analyze Bibliometric Data.
• Day 4: Community Detection and Network Models
• Objective: Explore Structural Patterns and Modeling in Networks.
• Day 5: Case Studies and Interdisciplinary Applications
• Objective: Apply concepts to real-world domains.

About Centre for Advanced Data and Computational Science (CAD-CS) at BMU: The Centre for Advanced Data and Computational Science (CAD-CS) is an interdisciplinary research hub that leverages computational science to address pressing engineering & technological, biomedical, socio-economic, and environmental challenges. The center integrates computational techniques, such as advanced machine learning, generative artificial intelligence, modeling, and simulation, with sustainable development goals to create innovative solutions for social well-being. By harnessing advanced data science, computational techniques, and interdisciplinary collaboration, CADCS is committed to developing innovative solutions to techno-societal challenges, aligned with sustainable development goals, to promote a healthier and more equitable society.

Brochure | Online Registration