Advancing South Africa’s Role in Atlantic Ocean Science: Highlights from AAORIA 2026

Represented by delegates from NRF-SAEON, DSTI and a dynamic group of Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs), South Africa made a strong contribution to the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Forum, held in Salvador, Brazil from 13–17 April 2026.

Science and technology in action

Coastal Observations Lab in a Box (COLaB): Democratising ocean sciences across the Indian Ocean

The Coastal Observations Lab in a Box (COLaB) is an initiative that uses affordable, open-source tools and training to improve coastal ocean monitoring across the understudied Indian Ocean region.

From South Africa to Scotland: Advancing Ocean Science at OSM 2026

Professor Juliet Hermes, Dr Jenny Veitch, and Dr Tamaryn Morris, Philile Mvula, Jordan Van Stavel, and Nasreen Burgher at the Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) in Glasgow, Scotland.

Trading squat lobsters for sponge crabs

Dr Arno Botha’s PhD project, inspired by a passion for deep-sea research during an internship programme with the South African Environmental Observation Network’s Egagasini Node in 2020, under the supervision of Dr Lara Atkinson.

A message from the MD

celebrating major strides in global science diplomacy, innovative research, and impactful community engagement.

NRF-SAEON’s second 2026 eNews showcases achievements in global science diplomacy, research excellence, and community engagement, including participation in major international ocean science initiatives.

People and Networks

uLwazi’s Lindsay Callaghan wins first place in the 2026 WDS Data Stewardship Award

Lindsay Callaghan, a Data Curation Specialist at NRF-SAEON’s uLwazi Node, has won first place in the 2026 World Data System Data Stewardship Award.

IAHS Academy 2026: International Collaboration and Training in Hydrological Sciences

Tasmiyah Peerbhai, a PhD candidate affiliated with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) attends the inaugural International Association of Hydrological Sciences Academy, held in January 2026 in Ningbo, China.

NRF-SAEON Supports Rural Businesses Through Supplier Development Workshop

NRF-SAEON hosted an Enterprise and Supplier Development workshop in Mbazwana, KwaZulu-Natal, to support rural SMMEs by improving their understanding of public sector procurement processes and tender opportunities.

Ocean robots monitoring our global ocean! SAEON-Egagasini hosts the annual Argo Steering Team in Cape Town

The 27th annual Argo Steering Team (AST) meeting was hosted by SAEON Egagasini in Cape Town from April 20–24, 2026. Funded by South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the event gathered global and local experts to discuss technological advances, sensor developments, deployment opportunities, and funding challenges facing the ocean observing network.

Science engagement

EFTEON taking initiatives for the ESKOM expo data handling workshop in the Klein Karoo and Garden route region

Annualy the ESKOM science expo for young scientists hosts a science fair where students have a chance to showcase their own scientific investigations. It aims to develop young scientist who can identify a problem, analyse information, find solutions, and communicate their findings effectively.

Young Scientists Shine in SAEON’s 2026 iNaturalist Challenge

SAEON iNaturalist Schools competition encourages young people to take part in protecting and appreciating nature.

NRF-SAEON in the media

SAEON’s people and projects received coverage in international and national print, broadcast, online and social media.

ILTER OSM Advert

Call for Proposals ILTER Open Science Meeting
March 8-12, 2027 Bariloche, Argentina

SAEON eNews