As an Early Career Researcher (ECR) host for the WHIRLS project, I was thrilled to welcome everyone from the project to Gothenburg for our first General Assembly this past week. We started gathering at my place on Sunday afternoon with a classic Swedish Summer BBQ – korv med bröd and kubb! After a year of many online interactions, seeing everyone face-to-face really helped us connect and settle in for the exciting week ahead.
Building Skills and Connections
The week was packed, starting with a dedicated Early Career Researcher Day. We dove into a fantastic workshop on “Design in Data Visuals,” learning the psychology behind effective communication. The core message? “A good data visual effectively communicates meaning.” In the afternoon, we had a brilliant workshop that made us realize just how crucial accurate metadata truly is. Using Lego, we saw firsthand that accurate documentation is the essential glue for integrating complex data, making sure all our project’s pieces work together. Monday wrapped up with the project’s overall ice-breaker, which involved an Ocean Bus tour and tapas, blending fun with informal networking.
Science in Action
The rest of the week was a flurry of science presentations, with most of us ECRs taking the stage. I was incredibly impressed by the quality of the talks and the depth of the science everyone presented – we really did ourselves proud! As an ECR, it’s genuinely fantastic that we’re so actively welcomed into the science planning. Our voices aren’t just heard, they’re truly taken into consideration, which makes a huge difference for our confidence as we shaped the upcoming field campaign and dedicated time to crucial fieldwork and data management strategies.
The week culminated with a highlight for many of us: a hands-on workshop dedicated to robotic observations in oceanography. I had the pleasure of co-hosting this session with two colleagues, and with fantastic help from the Voice of the Ocean Foundation, getting up close with an actual glider and surface platform and learning about its operations truly brought our plans for fine-scale observations to life.
A Cohesive Future
This meeting was incredibly collaborative, inspiring, and perfectly balanced work with fun – including moments like kayaking in the Gothenburg archipelago. It wasn’t just about sharing science; it was about forging a cohesive team. For the WHIRLS project, we’re not just merging data; we’re building a unified scientific effort, person by person.
It was a truly great week, and I’m genuinely excited for what’s next for WHIRLS!
Early Career Host, signing off,
Johan