NOC Association of Marine Science Capability Beneficiaries
The NOC Association of Marine Science National Capability Beneficiaries (NOCA) is the main vehicle for the National Oceanography Centre’s engagement with the beneficiaries of NOC-led marine science national capability (NC). NC comprises science, large-scale research infrastructure, small-scale NC-services, facilities and data, and national and public good.
NOC leads all marine science NC, working in partnership with our delivery partners: the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the Continuous Plankton Recorder Programme delivered by the Marine Biological Association of the UK. The NOCA, in bringing together the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funded marine science community, works to influence the direction of key areas of marine science national capability.
Overall Vision of NOCA
NOCA provides advice to wider issues such as NOC’s role in providing national and international leadership, convening and coordinating marine science, providing input to consultations and strategic horizon scanning.
AGMs are an opportunity to engage with the community and showcase national capability, with updates from the Marine Facilities Advisory Board (MFAB), which reviews future equipment requirements, and research highlights, for example, Atlantic Climate and Environment Strategic Science (AtlantiS) which is delivering the UK’s strategic ocean observing and ocean prediction programme.
Advisory BodiesNOCA was formed during the merger of the NERC-managed activity at the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory and the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, on 1 April 2010. NERC Council tasked the newly formed NOC to work in closer partnership with institutions across the UK marine science community, not just in research collaborations, and in a more strategic way.
The NOC Strategy 2025-2035 will guide the NOCA in providing large-scale research infrastructure such as Royal Research Ships, deep submersibles, ocean sensors, sustained observations and data management to support the UK’s marine science community.
Our StrategyThe 15th AGM of NOCA 2026
The 15th AGM of the NOCA will take place during the mornings of Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th May 2026. Anyone with an interest in the marine environment is welcome to join this free, online event, to be conducted by Zoom.
UK Marine Science and Technology Compendium
The UK Marine Science and Technology Compendium has been compiled with input from across the UK’s vibrant marine community. The database provides an overview of marine research institutes, university departments, the marine industry sector, government bodies representing marine and marine-related Non-Governmental Organisations. Please check your institution’s entry and advise Jackie Pearson, NOC Partnerships Officer, of updates needed.
The NOC Association Steering Board
The overarching objective of the NOCA Steering Board is to facilitate those engaged in the NERC funded marine science community to work together to advance UK marine science.
The Steering Board is a non-executive body whose primary role is to provide advice to the Executive Director NOC on the development, activities and priorities of the NOCA to deliver its objective; to enhance its impact and to assist in optimising its engagement and synergy with the wider UK and international marine science community.
| Board Members | Affiliation |
| Solan, Professor Martin (Chair) | University of Southampton |
| Fernandes, Professor Teresa | Heriot Watt University |
| Hendry, Professor Kate | British Antarctic Survey |
| Mahaffey, Professor Claire | University of Liverpool |
| Lohan, Professor Maeve | The Challenger Society |
| Roberts, Professor Murray | University of Edinburgh |
| Homoky, Dr Will | University of Leeds |
| Dye, Dr Stephen | Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science |
| The following attend meetings alternately | |
| James, Dr Mark | Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland |
| Pearson, Professor David | Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland |
| Siddorn, Professor John | National Oceanography Centre |
| Allen, Professor Icarus | Plymouth Marine Laboratory |
General Membership
NOCA members and their participation in meetings, events and activities, drive the NOC Association.
General membership of the NOCA is open to all who are part of the NERC marine science community. Membership requires a willingness and commitment to engage positively. Participation will help to enable the NOCA community to influence the direction of key areas of marine science and national capability.
Formally, membership of the NOCA is institutional (for example at the level of a University School) with nominated individuals representing the institution. Clusters or consortia of institutions are also welcome.
| General Member | Affiliation |
| Institutes | |
| Francis, Professor Jane | British Antarctic Survey |
| Siddorn, Professor John | National Oceanography Centre |
| McInroy, David | British Geological Survey |
| Owens, Professor Nick | Scottish Association for Marine Science |
| Sparling, Dr Carol | Sea Mammal Research Unit |
| Wilson, Professor Willie | Marine Biological Association |
| Universities | |
| Homoky, Dr Will | University of Leeds |
| Bailey, Dr David | University of Glasgow |
| Barlow, Dr John | University of Sussex |
| Collier, Professor Jenny | Imperial College London / Grantham Institute |
| Czerski, Dr Helen | University College London |
| Davies, Dr Sarah | University of Leicester |
| Dick, Professor Jamie | Queens University Belfast |
| Dodd, Professor Nick | University of Nottingham |
| Duck, Professor Rob | University of Dundee |
| Mazak, Dr Krysia | University of Hull |
| Fernandes, Professor Teresa | Heriot Watt University |
| Ford, Professor Alex | University of Portsmouth |
| Haines, Professor Keith | University of Reading |
| Hall, Professor Ian | University of Cardiff |
| Robinson, Professor Laura | University of Bristol |
| Incecick, Professor Atilla | University of Strathclyde |
| Kaiser, Professor Jan | University of East Anglia |
| Morales Maqueda, Dr Miguel | University of Newcastle |
| McClymont, Professor Erin | University of Durham |
| McGonigle, Dr Christopher | Ulster University |
| Peirce, Professor Christine | University of Durham |
| Piotrowski, Dr Alex | University of Cambridge |
| Rickaby, Professor Rosalind | University of Oxford |
| Mahaffey, Professor Claire | University of Liverpool |
| Solan, Professor Martin | University of Southampton |
| Steinke, Dr Michael | University of Essex |
| Thompson OBE, Professor Richard | University of Plymouth |
| Tudhope, Professor Sandy | University of Edinburgh |
| Turner, Professor John | Bangor University |
| Watson FRS, Professor Andrew | University of Exeter |
| Webb, Dr Tom | University of Sheffield |
| Scott, Professor Beth | University of Aberdeen |
| Clusters and Societies | |
| Burgess, Cheryl | Society for Underwater Technology |
| Meredith, Professor Mike | The Challenger Society |
| The following attend alternately | |
| James, Dr Mark | Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland |
| Paterson, Professor David | Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland |