Useful Arctic Knowledge: Training, Collaboration, and Innovation in ocean observing.

The UAK (Useful Arctic Knowledge) project aims to strengthen the quality within education, research and innovation in ocean observing technology through partnership between Norway, USA, Canada. To develop excellence in education it is crucial to recruit students to work with scientists and engineers with expertise in acoustic and optical technologies applied in the ice-covered Arctic Ocean and in fjords. In UAK research institutions and industry companies will provide training focused on observing the ocean and underwater communication using acoustics and optics. The scientists in UAK bring leading expertise on acoustic tomography, underwater geo-positioning, impact of acoustic systems on marine life, and marine optics. The project is implemented through research schools, workshops, master programs, and exchange programs for researchers. This will increase mobility and collaboration with industry and research institutions to advance innovation processes in ocean observing technologies with emphasis on underwater acoustics and marine optics. Dedicated workshops to advance research into innovative solutions will be organized in collaboration with SFI Smart Ocean. The project will use and provide training in innovative instruments to improve outreach and scientific communication.

UAK will expand and deepen long-term collaboration in research and education between Norway, USA and Canada within ocean observing. The project is contribution to the Arctic component of the Ocean Decade. Focus is to provide training in use of ocean observing methods and technologies to observe changes in the ice-ocean environment caused by climate changes or human activities (SDG13). Main focus are observations that can detect, localise, and track changes in the Arctic Ocean environment e.g. ice-ocean parameters, ocean sound and the light in the ocean. These changes will have impact ocean health and marine life (SD14). UAK will organize and facilitate for educational programs, research schools, and mobility grants to train the new generation of scientists within research areas covering oceanography, sea ice, marine optics and underwater acoustics. UAK will facilitate for collaboration between research and industry to foster innovation within observing technologies supporting ocean research in the Arctic, fjords and coastal regions. Shorter and longer visits will be organized between the partners. The project will support joint reports and publications with special attention collaboration between different generations, research, and industry. UAK will organise dedicated open workshops and special sessions on international conferences. UAK is a partnership between Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, University in Bergen – Institute for Physics and Technology, Xylem AADI, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Inspire Environmental, and University of Laval. The project is in support to the education program in Ocean technology at UiB, SFI Smart Ocean, and several research projects e.g. CAATEX and EcoSense.