Between 20 and 22 August this year, nearly 60 climate scientists convened in Melbourne, on the traditional land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, for a three-day conference focused on atmospheric dynamics.
The primary objectives of this edition of the Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference was to foster collaboration within the research community and to collectively identify key priorities for future fundamental research in atmospheric science.
The conference featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including three international keynote speakers and three national invited speakers, who provided valuable insights into topics such as tropical circulations, Earth System Models, and extreme weather dynamics.
Additionally, 21 researchers from within the Australian community presented on a wide range of atmospheric dynamics research projects, showcasing the depth and breadth of expertise in this field.
The 2024 edition of the conference also marked an inaugural national conference dedicated solely to atmospheric dynamics.
The event received further generous support from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, the ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, and the ACCESS-NRI, as well as in-kind support from the Australian Meteorological and Oceanic Society.
There was an emphasis on in-person interactions and discussions, facilitating meaningful connections among participants and fostering a sense of community within the field of atmospheric dynamics.
Participants engaged in discussions about current challenges in atmospheric dynamics and potential areas for future research focus.
Key priorities identified included understanding the Australian monsoon, exploring interactions across different scales, developing a moist dynamical theory, and leveraging diverse datasets for research purposes.
Participants also discussed strategies for building and sustaining a vibrant research community, such as organising more workshops and dedicated sessions at conferences.
A dedicated session on atmospheric dynamics at the 2025 Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society conference has already been proposed as a first follow-up event.
Additionally, a mailing list has been created to facilitate ongoing discussions and information sharing within the atmospheric dynamics community.
The conference organisers would also like to congratulate the winners of three early-career awards: Lara Richards for best presentation; Kim Reid for most active contribution to discussions; and Thomas Volantini for the inaugural Karoly Prize for most engaging presentation of equations.
More about the Elizabeth and Frederick White research conferences.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
