#CommOCEAN - Whether you're a marine scientist keen to be speed-trained in modern ocean science communication skills or a communicator, working for a marine institute, NGO or governmental body, the CommOCEAN International Marine Science Communication event is for you.

Following on from the successful IMSCC-1, organised by CIIMAR, Ciencia Viva & EMBCP in 2014, the Bruges-Ostend CommOCEAN event is a unique opportunity to make a major leap forward in communicating your ocean knowledge.

The organisers (VLIZ, EMB, EMBCP, UNESCO-IOC-IODE) are developing an inspiring, innovative and interactive programme consisting of two separate events: a two-day conference in Bruges (6-7 December 2016), followed by a one-day high-level training programme at the InnovOcean facilities in Ostend (8 December 2016).

The call for contributions (orals, poster, workshop) is now open for the two-day conference. The organisers encourage the submission of abstracts from all areas of science communication with a special focus on the ocean, marine and estuarine realm.

The four major sessions of the conference are:

• The fundamentals of science communication/reaching out to the public.
• Optimising impact.
• Social media and graphics.
• Think out of the box: new formats and creativity.

In terms of ocean topics, there will be a special (but not restrictive) focus on marine climate change, ocean plankton/microbiota, deep sea exploration and ocean observation.

Three presentation formats are applicable for CommOCEAN 2016:

• Oral presentation in the main plenary program (12'+3' Q/A).
• Workshop interactive sessions in parallel groups (60').
• Poster presentation, displayed at a central location.

Abstracts must be submitted in English to [email protected] according to the guidelines and the template provided.

Please make sure that you indicate your preference for one or more of the three suggested formats: oral, poster, workshop. If submitting an abstract for a workshop, please indicate the planned format and content, including any logistical requirements.

Abstracts can be submitted until 1 June 2016 at the latest. For any questions relating to abstracts, contact [email protected].

Read more about the venues, the scope and the tentative programme at CommOCEAN.org