Stories in Science

Celebrating World Engineering Day, UCT-MARiS ECRs Sarah Tallack and Tristyn Ferreiro inspired Springfield Convent learners by sharing their engineering journeys and challenging Women in STEM stereotypes.

UCT-MARiS ECRs enjoyed an inspiring tour of Sea Technology Services, exploring cutting-edge ocean robotics and research instruments. Thank you to Sean Lavis and Sandy Thomalla for an engaging glimpse into ocean science in action.

MARiS Meet 2026 kicked off the year with over 20 ECRs and academics connecting, welcoming new members, and strengthening community ties. A fantastic start to an exciting year of MARiS events and engagement!

A new resource centre at the University of Cape Town honours the late Professor Mathieu Rouault while advancing interdisciplinary ocean and climate research for future generations.

MARiS celebrated a year of collaboration, growth, and resilience at its 2025 End-of-Year Gathering at Clay Café. The team reflected on achievements, challenges, and exciting plans to strengthen research, outreach, and connection in 2026!

UCT-MARiS researchers and early-career scientists engaged at the 7th SANAP Symposium, strengthening collaboration across polar and Southern Ocean research, sharing new insights on sea ice, ecosystems and climate, and building networks.

Prof Lynne Shannon becomes the first Global South recipient of the Prince Albert I Grand Medal for Ocean Science, awarded in Paris on 8 December 2025.

UCT-MARiS researchers Dr Emma Rocke and PhD student, Yameen Badrodien, represented South Africa at the AtlantECO Hackathon and Legacy Conference in the Azores, advancing Benguela Upwelling microbiome science and global collaboration.

The 2025 AOS Masters Proposal Showcase brought together 11 students presenting diverse ocean research topics. Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed valuable feedback—your support inspires our emerging ocean scientists!

The 2025 MARiS ECR Conference brought together researchers from UCT and beyond for a day of knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and inspiration in marine and polar sciences. The event celebrated the power of interdisciplinary research.

An incredible experience for many – students, lecturers, scientific staff and the SA Agulhas II crew -- 10 days of pure magic out at sea sailing along the South African shoreline to discover the secrets of the Agulhas Current!

UCT-MARiS (Lynne, Emma, Louise) proudly represented UCT and South Africa at the UN Ocean Conference 2025 (UNOC3) in Nice, France, in June 2025, contributing expertise at high-level sessions on ocean governance, biodiversity, and education.

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.

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

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.