Stories in Science

UCT-MARiS was represented at the official Kick-Off meeting for the South African Master of Ocean Sciences (SAMOS) programme in April 2025 at the Nelson Mandela University, aimed at enhancing Ocean Sciences education, research, and industry

ICSHMO 2025 welcomed many scientists, researchers and professionals from around the globe, offering a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas, cutting-edge research, and groundbreaking developments in atmospheric and oceanic science.

The MARiS ECR Research Showcase 2024 celebrated innovative marine and polar research through talks, posters, and guest speakers, strengthening collaboration and community across UCT-MARiS.

UCT-MARiS continues to foster a supportive and engaging community for early career researchers, with events encouraging collaboration and well-being. Here's a quick recap on the MARiS ECR's first hike together in Newlands Forest.

The Around Africa Expedition aims to provide invaluable insights and guide data-driven decisions to support ocean conservation policy, sustainable resource management, local capacity building & training, and marine protected area planning.

Celebrating Professor Lynne Shannon from UCT for her incredible contributions to IPBES assessments, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable development to combat biodiversity loss & foster a just & equitable future.

The 11th session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is being held in Windhoek, Namibia between 11 - 18 December 2024, marking the first-ever African plenary of this global body.

Professor Marcello Vichi had the honour in delivering his Inaugural Lecture titled “Fifty degrees of separation: Why Antarctica and the polar regions matter for Afrika”, on Monday, 21 October at UCT Upper Campus. See the recording here.

From 13 - 18 October 2024, the 7th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC7) brought together over 800 delegates from across the globe at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre. Read the highlights of MARiS Staff & Students.

UCT-MARIS wishes Prof Astrid Jarre a Happy Farewell!

UCT-MARiS Sea Ice Team recently inspired 30 young learners from Ukhanyo Primary School about the importance of polar science and research while providing them with a memorable and educational experience at the UCT-MARIS Centre.

South Africa was well represented at the XIth SCAR Open Science Conference held in Pucón-Punta Arenas, Chile in August 2024. Representatives from the MARiS sea ice research group attended and presented their research at the conference.

University of Cape Town's Marine and Antarctic Research Centre for Innovation and Sustainability (MARiS) to spearhead Crucial Research in the Atlantic Ocean in Partnership with CSIR, Stellenbosch University, and Princeton University.

Fostering scientific curiosity and innovation among young minds, UCT-MARiS ECRs participated in judging and inspiring young learners at the International School of Cape Town (ISCT) Year 6 Annual Science Expo.

UCT-MARiS Sea Ice Team participated in the 6th South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) symposium in November 2023 where they networked and exchanged expertise with national and international polar researchers.

UCT-MARiS was invited to attend the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Forum at the CTICC in Cape Town and share their involvement in various projects focused on the Atlantic Ocean.

Oceanography MSc student, Lillina Ruiters recently had the opportunity to help bridge the gap between science and society at the SoapBox Science 2023 event on the 25th of November at the V&A Waterfront, in Cape Town.

AOS Masters student, Andile Kuzwayo represented UCT in the 2023 Cape Town Ocean Hackathon® in team SARDASH while taking on the challenge to develop a prototype web application that could simulate a potential path of sardines over 48 hours.

UCT biogeochemical oceanographer, Associate Professor Sarah Fawcett, is part of an international research team that has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) to better understand the ocean’s role in climate change.

The ACDI research unit recently partnered with MARiS to host an interactive workshop entitled “How can we survive the century?”. Local Grades 7-9 Geography & Natural Sciences teachers were invited to engage & discuss Climate Change.

UCT-MARiS joins hundreds of international scientists that are sounding a clarion call for urgent expansion of Southern Ocean science in the emerging climate crisis.

From pipettes to pencils – MARiS has it all covered as researchers from the multidisciplinary sea ice team took off their polar gear and lab coats to participate as judges at the ESKOM Cape Town Science Expo 2023 for Young Scientists.

MARIS is excited that integrated approaches to management of human activities in the ocean are supported again, and we will continue to provide scientific support in these difficult processes.

In light of understanding the phylogenetic and community diversity of surf-zone diatoms in Muizenberg and their associated microbiome, Dr Emma Rocke takes the AOS students through the process of extracting DNA samples to sequencing them.

The annual SEAmester‘ floating classroom’ programme is to train a new generation of marine scientists onboard the RV SA Agulhas II and to encourage and enthuse the new generation through innovation in teaching platforms.

A night of fun, general knowledge testing and socializing with the MARiS research team and friends.

For any marine biologist, it is important to be able to identify organisms, and make observations in the field about how things function and how organisms interact with one another. 

In celebration of Women’s Month, we will be sharing a few of the many stories shared by some of the most influential female scientists associated with MARiS. This week's article will be focusing on the women ...

In celebration of Women’s Month, we will be sharing a few of the many stories shared by some of the most influential female scientists associated with MARiS.