Emma Heslop 

Emma is a physical oceanographer with significant strategic & business development expertise. 

An initial career in the technology industry developed skills in new market development and communications. Sailing made her profoundly aware of the importance of the oceans and of the human impacts on them. She completed a PhD in physical oceanography is passionate about the need for sustained monitoring of the oceans and the utility of ocean data for science, government and industry applications, now and into the future. 

Her experience encompasses circulation variability, new technology such as gliders, model validation, multi-platform ocean observing systems, the economics of ocean data and ocean data products. She has proven leadership of research, international collaboration and in applying business practice to bridge the gap between ocean science and societal applications. 

In 2018 she joined the IOC of UNESCO to support the development of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), in particular developing and now implementing its ambitious 2030 Strategy. The ocean has a key role to play in our sustainable future and ocean observations are the foundation to achieving this. 

Ocean observations aim at improving our knowledge of the ocean, for better tackling weather and climate changes, safeguarding the ocean and the coastal communities. 

 This talk will give a brief overview of the Global Ocean Observing System today and the role it sustains. It will introduce systematic ocean observing and the role of new technology in bringing new opportunities and new data streams, that can revolutionise our ability to respond to global challenges, where soft robots could contribute.