University of Southampton Oceanography

04/09/2026

Congratulations to Dr Alexandra Auderset and Dr Alessandro Silvano, who are among the recipients of European Research Council ERC Starting Grants to support their research projects exploring marine photosymbiosis and the changing conditions in West Antarctica.

Find out more:

From AI authoritarianism to melting glaciers: EU grants launch new research projects

26/08/2026

Thinking about postgraduate study? We're offering three full tuition fee scholarships for UK students from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds studying eligible MSc or MRes courses across Environmental and Life Sciences.

Find out more and apply by 14 September 2026:

Explore the Postgraduate Taught Equitable Scholarship at our university. Empowering diversity: scholarships for black students and ethnic minorities in the UK.

13/08/2026

05/08/2026

We're part of a major new €8.5 million EU project, SYNCHRONY, that aims to revolutionise our understanding of changes to the Southern Ocean.

The team at Southampton, including Regius Professor Alberto Naveira Garabato and Dr Alessandro Silvano, will use the latest satellite technology coupled with in situ observations to better reconstruct changes in ocean circulation and sea ice.

Read more:

Southampton part of international effort to study changing Southern Ocean

22/07/2026

We’re proud to present Geology alum Professor Dame Jane Francis with the Lifetime Achievement Outstanding Alumni Award at this year’s graduation.

Jane is a pioneering polar scientist and the first female Director of the British Antarctic Survey, whose research on fossil plants and ancient climates has transformed understanding of environmental change in polar regions.

Her lifelong commitment to scientific discovery, leadership and global collaboration makes her an exemplary recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

21/07/2026

New analysis of the most recent satellite observations of sea ice coverage shows that a ‘pause’ in Arctic winter sea ice decline seen in the early 2020s has ended.

Between 2024 and 2025, the amount of Arctic sea ice measured during the peak winter period fell by 5.8% - the largest year-to-year wintertime drop in the satellite record.

The study led by Duo Chan, Alessandro Silvano and the National Oceanography Centre is published today in PNAS.

Read more:

Arctic winter sea ice returns to significant decline

15/07/2026

Congratulations to all of our students graduating today. We are so proud of all you've achieved so far, and excited to see what's to come.

03/07/2026

30/06/2026

⛰️How high can a volcano throw up lava and how do eruptions work?

Volcanologist Martin Mangler answers eight-year-old Thomas' question in this episode of The Conversation UK Curious Kids podcast.

Listen now:

Volcanologist Martin Mangler explains how volcanic eruptions work to push lava into the air. Listen on the The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast.

18/06/2026

Our scientists have uncovered new evidence from one of Earth’s most extreme ancient warming events.

Molecular fossils revealed secrets behind how Earth recovered from one of its most extreme global warming events millions of years ago. The revelations give insights into how the climate may recover long after human-driven carbon dioxide emissions stop.

Molecular fossils reveal secrets of Earth’s recovery from ancient global warming event