Canada-France-Chile Ocean Research Connections Workshop | PIMS - Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences

Topic

The Canada–France–Chile Ocean Research Connections Workshop consists of two parts. The PIMS workshop will feature a mix of plenary talks, short presentations, and group discussions. The BMSC workshop will focus on intensive small-group writing sessions.

The workshop aims to bring together Canadian, Chilean, and French researchers to develop joint presentations and collaborative projects. Ocean scientists will be encouraged to identify key mathematical and data science challenges arising from their work, while mathematicians will explore how their research can help address important questions in ocean science.

February 10–11, 2026

Plenary Sessions (PIMS, UBC, Vancouver)

Two full days of talks and group discussions will take place at Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) on the UBC campus. This workshop will involve a mix of plenary talks, shorter presentations and group discussions.

February 12–14, 2026

Writing Workshop (BMSC, Bamfield, Vancouver Island)

A subset of participants will take part in a three-day working workshop at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The workshop sessions will focus on developing joint research projects and preparing draft proposals.

Details

About the Workshop

In February 2024, the CNRS hosted a France–Western Canada workshop on ocean and polar science at PIMS (UBC), bringing together researchers from across disciplines. The success of that meeting has since catalyzed efforts to build a broader international collaboration between France, Canada, and Chile focused on Pacific, Arctic, and Antarctic ocean research.

Building on this momentum, we invite researchers to participate in a follow-up workshop dedicated to developing a network of augmented, community-based ocean observatories across Canada, Chile, and France. This workshop will explore shared interests in enhanced ocean observation and experimental methods, as well as the critical intersections between oceanography, mathematics, and data science.

The 2026 Canada-France-Chile Ocean Research Connections Workshop aims to further strengthen marine research collaborative opportunities and partnerships between Canada, France and Chile. The workshop will bring together oceanographers, marine ecologists, and mathematical scientists from all three countries to articulate a shared vision for augmented ocean observing / experimental systems across the eastern Pacific Rim. Our goal is to stimulate new research partnerships across nations and disciplines, and articulate shared research priorities that can inform joint projects and major funding proposals.

Thematic focal areas:

Autonomous ocean observing systems
Marine ecological dynamics, biodiversity and restoration
Interfaces of ocean research with mathematical sciences and data science

Key Desired Outcomes:

Build relationships among ocean researchers from Canada, France and Chile to gain a deeper understanding of shared research interests and complementary expertise.
Articulate key research questions for joint projects.
Identify key research infrastructure needed to address priority science objectives.
Identify the most important mathematical and data science challenges relevant to our ocean research priorities.
Develop draft concepts and preliminary text for joint research funding proposals, including Belmont Forum and Horizons Europe.

These conversations aim to support community-based ocean monitoring, coastal restoration, and improved risk-mitigation strategies. Key challenges of interest include ocean deoxygenation and acidification—issues that are particularly acute along the eastern Pacific Rim—as well as emerging environmental pressures in Mediterranean regions.

A major objective of the workshop is to lay the groundwork for large-scale, international funding proposals (e.g., Horizon Europe, ERC Synergy) to support collaborative research across the partner countries.

Event Agenda

Day 1 — Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Scientific Foundations & Strategic Alignment

Location: PIMS

8:30–8:45 Welcome Remarks: PIMS, CNRS, French Consulate, UBC-VPRI, PMSA

8:45–9:15 Framing Session
Review of outcomes from 2024–2025 workshops; articulation of goals, deliverables, and decision points

9:15–10:15 Plenary Session I: Comparative Eastern Pacific Rim Systems

10:15–11:00 Coffee Break & Informal Discussions

11:00–12:00 Plenary Session II: From Ocean Questions to Mathematical Structure

12:00–12:30 Group Discussion & Synthesis

12:30–13:30 Lunch

13:30–15:15 Flagship Science Themes (three cross-disciplinary groups):

Physical–Biogeochemical Coupling - 4133
Ecosystems, Biodiversity & Resilience - 4127
Observing Systems, Data & AI - 4105

15:15–15:45 Coffee Break

15:45–16:30 Group Reports

16:30–17:00 Synthesis & Summary

18:30-20:00 Reception (Downtown Vancouver)

Day 2 — Wednesday, February 11, 2026

From Ideas to Pilot Projects: Funding & Capacity Building

Location: PIMS

9:00–10:30 Infrastructure & Research Platforms

10:30–11:00 Coffee Break

11:00–12:00 Funding Pathways & Strategy

12:00–13:30 Lunch & Informal Networking

13:30–14:15 Researcher Mobility & Training

14:30–15:00 Frameworks for Joint International Scientific Leadership

15:00–15:30 Synthesis & Decisions

15:30–15:45 Bamfield Transition Briefing & Logistics

15:45–17:00 Guided Tour of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum

17:00 Free Time

Day 3 — Thursday, February 12, 2026

Travel to Bamfield

10:15 Arrive at Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal

11:05 Ferry Departs: Horseshoe Bay → Nanaimo (Departure Bay)

12:50 Arrive in Nanaimo

13:00–16:30 Drive to Bamfield
Lunch stop and scenic stops en route

17:00 Arrival at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

18:00 Dinner

19:00 Plenary Discussion

20:00 Free Time

Day 4 — Friday, February 13, 2026

Bamfield Writing Workshop

Location: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC)

7:30–8:00 Breakfast

8:15–9:15 BMSC Facilities Tour

9:15–9:30 Recap Group Writing instructions

9:00–12:30 Writing Groups I

12:30–13:30 Lunch

13:30–14:30 Morning Recap & Guidance for Afternoon Sessions

14:00–17:00 Writing Groups II

17:00–18:00 Group Reports & Discussion

18:00–19:00 Dinner

19:30 Drinks & Reception (Director’s Residence)

Day 5 — Saturday, February 14, 2026

Return to Vancouver / Victoria

7:30–8:00 Breakfast

8:30–10:30 Wrap-Up Session

10:30–11:00 Coffee

11:00–11:30 Check-Out & Grab-and-Go Lunch

11:30 Depart BMSC for Nanaimo

16:00 Ferry Departs: Nanaimo → Horseshoe Bay
(Alternative routing via Tsawwassen available)

Additional Information

Travel Planning and Support:

All participants should arrange their own transportation from and to Vancouver.
Please plan to arrive in Vancouver no later than February 9, 2026. Participants not attending the Bamfield workshop may depart on February 12, 2026. Participants attending the Bamfield workshop should book their return flights no earlier than February 15, 2026.
Lodging in Vancouver during the event period will be covered. Transportation to and from Bamfield, as well as accommodation at Bamfield, will be organized and covered.
Travel-related expenses for out-of-town invited participants will be reimbursed (economy class only), up to: 1,300 CAD for international participants and $500 CAD for national participants.

Attachments