Marta Łukasik is one of the beneficiaries of the competition for funding student and PhD candidates mobility within the HarSval project. She received 7308 PLN funding for the scientific conference: International Conference for Young Marine Researchers, Bremen.

Enjoy reading her report below:

“The ICYMARE 2024 (International Conference for Young Marine Researchers) conference occurred from September 16 to 20 in Bremen, Germany. It aimed to bring together young scientists and researchers worldwide and enable them to start a scientific dialogue at the international level. The conference’s main topics were climate change and its impact on marine ecosystems, biodiversity, ocean pollution, and the participation and development of technologies in marine research. During this year’s meeting, an essential element was the issue of combining legal aspects with broadly understood environmental protection. During 5 intensive days, young scientists could present their research results and exchange views and observations on pressing problems related to the marine environment.

In addition, thanks to numerous thematic sessions and workshops, there was an opportunity to deepen their own competencies. The workshops focused on developing practical skills, such as writing scientific publications and working with data or communication skills, which are essential in science and international cooperation. This, as the last one, was facilitated by networking meetings, which enabled the establishment of international contacts, exchange of experiences, and discussion of opportunities for scientific cooperation. The conference was divided into numerous presentation sessions. In particular, presentations on issues related to the protection and biomonitoring of the marine environment in the context of climate change, the socio-ecological importance of monitoring, protection, and use of the environment within the framework of current and future legal standards, and the impact of pollution on marine organisms at all trophic levels stood out.

During the panel “Coastal ecology and potential effects of climate change,” I presented a scientific poster describing my research’s scope and progress. This session not only allowed me to share my work but also provided a platform to engage with researchers who specialise in the study of shallow-water environments, an area that is integral to my research and the field at large. ICYMARE 2024 in Bremen was a fruitful event that allowed me to present my work and inspired further cooperation. The high quality of the presentations and workshops, combined with the great atmosphere, showed the important role of young scientists in future research on protecting the marine environment and highlighted the need to combine science with policy and social education.”