| UK. Upcoming IMarEST Stanley Gray lecture to spotlight Chagos Archipelago |
|
|
|
| Tuesday, 03 October 2006 | |
|
Association news: Many people are unaware that the United Kingdom is custodian of one of the world's largest tropical coral atolls. The Chagos Archipelago, situated in the central Indian Ocean, forms part of 'BIOT' - British Indian Ocean Territory - a little known remnant of the British Empire left over after the Seychelles and Mauritius gained independence. The archipelago will be in the spotlight on Wednesday 29 November when Dr Ralph Rayner CSci, CMarSci, FIMarEST delivers The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) Stanley Gray Lecture on 'The History, Science and Politics of the Indian Ocean Chagos Archipelago' at the City Conference Centre, 80 Coleman Street, London (the headquarters of IMarEST). Chagos, a predominantly submarine territory of the Crown has a fascinating history. It is the home of many unique marine species and has some unusual oceanographic features. It is also associated with some murky politics concerning the forced depopulation of the region's islands to make way for the construction and operation of the American military base of Diego Garcia. Ralph Rayner is fortunate to be one of a small community of scientists that have conducted scientific research in this very remote and beautiful region of the planet. "I was attracted by the prospect of diving where few, if any, people have dived before and the opportunity to conduct some fascinating research," he explains. His lecture will weave together the history, science and politics of the Chagos Archipelago and will be illustrated by underwater photographs of what are probably some of the finest and least visited dive sites in the world. "I'd like those who attend to take away a feeling of wonder at the spectacular beauty of coral reefs; thoughts about how to deal with complex and conflicting demands on even the most remote parts of the planet; and perspectives about how and whether the rights of small minorities should be, or can be, defended against big government," he says. "I'd like to see anyone with an interest in the sea, in the contemporary history of a little known part of the UK, in diving or in oceanography attending on 29 November, and look forward for some interesting and lively discussion too." Attendance at the Stanley Gray Lecture is free of charge to IMarEST members and non-members alike. The evening begins at 1700 hrs with tea, the lecture at 80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ begins at 1730 hrs and will be followed, at 1845 hrs, by a reception. Places can be reserved online at www.imarest.org, by contacting the IMarEST Events Department on +44 (0)20 7382 2636, or by emailing sarah.alexander@imarest.org Editors note: About Stanley Gray and the Stanley Gray Lectures The IMarEST Stanley Gray Lectures (and the annual Stanley Gray Awards) are named in memory of Stanley Gray who was the Chief Mechanical Engineer at the Port Directorate of Basra during the 1950s & 60s. When he died in 1973 he left half his estate to be held by the Institute in trust to create the Stanley Gray fund. He expressed the wish that the money should be awarded via a scholarship or prize to wherever the Institute saw distinction in Marine Engineering. This remit has been expanded following due process to include Marine Science and Technology. The Stanley Gray Series of prestigious lectures is held to mark his generosity to, and patronage of, the Institute. The IMarEST Stanley Gray Lecture series was launched in 2002 to reflect the broadening scope of the Institute's remit. This lecture was previously held once a year in June (the final Annual Stanley Gray Lecture was delivered by Hon Justice Coleman on the Derbyshire Enquiry), but is now held three times a year; each given by key figures from the fields of marine engineering, science and technology. Since this new format of three Stanley Gray Lectures each year was introduced by IMarEST, many influential members of the marine community have given lectures. About Ralph Rayner Following completion of a first degree in biology, and a masters in underwater science and technology, Dr Ralph Rayner undertook research into the physical oceanography of the Indian Ocean Chagos Archipelago, leading to award of his doctorate in 1982. Throughout his professional career he has been engaged in the commercial provision of environmental and oceanographic products and services. In parallel with his commercial career he has played an active part in the marine scientific community though membership of professional associations, committees and working groups, lecturing and authorship of technical and scientific papers. In 1994 he was responsible for the formation of Global Environmental and Ocean Sciences (GEOS). The Fugro Group subsequently acquired GEOS in 1996. He continued to be responsible for the overall direction of the business, which grew to become a world leader in the provision of oceanographic and marine meteorological services. In 2000 he initiated the formation of Ocean Numerics, a company specialising in the practical applications of ocean hindcasting and forecasting. Having achieved his goal of developing the leading provider of commercial metocean services he left the Fugro Group in mid 2005 in order to be able to widen his scientific and technical involvement in operational oceanography. He continues to chair Ocean Numerics and is working at Board level with a number of specialist marine science and technology businesses in the UK and overseas. He currently serves as a non-executive director of Sonardyne International Limited. Since leaving Fugro he has substantially increased his involvement in helping to advance the development of global operational oceanography. He serves on the scientific steering committee for the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and various committees of the Group on Earth Observation and the European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative. He also contributes to fostering the interface between science and industry as chair of the IMarEST Marine Information Alliance and as a member of the Executive Council of the Association of Marine Scientific Industries. |
|
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 October 2006 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|