UG2 Workshop ’24: A Collaborative Hub for Underwater Glider Innovation

The UG2 Workshop ’24, held from September 10-12 on the University of Michigan campus, brought together leading researchers, industry professionals, and practitioners to advance the capabilities and collaborative efforts of the underwater glider community. National Science Foundation Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) attendees included Ed Dever, Principal Investigator of the Northeast Pacific Endurance Array (EA), Peter Brickley, Senior Engineer with the Coastal and Global Scale Nodes (CGSN), and EA glider lead Stuart Pearce and glider tech Jonathan Whitefield. Over the course of three days, OOI participants contributed to in-depth discussions on data management, operational best practices, and emerging technologies, laying the foundation for future advancements in ocean monitoring and glider operations.

Workshop Goals and Objectives

The primary objective of UG2 is to foster a cohesive community that promotes the sharing of glider mission resources within the U.S. and internationally. The 2024 Workshop aimed to:

1. Harmonize Glider Efforts: Improve data management and foster partnerships while documenting best practices to enhance collaboration.
2. Share New Developments: Highlight recent advancements in sensors, glider technologies, and novel applications.
3. Refine Operational Activities: Enhance strategies for sustained ocean observations and explore the impact of glider data on ocean modeling.
4. Identify Action Items and Needs: Address communication gaps and improve UG2’s communication platforms for the future.
5. Network with Glider Users: Facilitate interactions among U.S. and international glider users to strengthen partnerships.

Key Highlights

The workshop featured several interactive components that fostered deep engagement and collaborative dialogue:

• Liesl Hotaling’s Plenary Talk and Breakout Session: Liesl Hotaling’s plenary talk and subsequent breakout session focused on developing microcredentials for ocean technology professionals. This initiative aims to address workforce needs by creating stackable credentials that recognize core competencies. Her session, co-led with Josh Kohut, invited attendees to discuss the application of these credentials in building capacity for glider maintenance and piloting.
• Data Management Sessions (Day 2): A significant portion of Day 2 was dedicated to addressing challenges in glider data management. Facilitators Jennifer Bowers, Leila Baghdad-Brahim, and Jennifer Sevadjian led discussions on best practices for data collection, registration, and sharing. The sessions provided valuable insights into the U.S. IOOS National Glider Data Assembly Center (DAC) and efforts to standardize glider data handling, ensuring efficient management of multidimensional data.  All OOI glider data are routinely reported to the DAC using code developed by Stuart Pearce and others.
• Sustained National Glider Network Session (Day 2): Daniel Rudnick and J. Xavier Prochaska facilitated this session, which emphasized the importance of a sustained glider-based observation network within the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Participants explored the feasibility of creating a coordinated network that integrates coastal and basin-scale observations, building on previous efforts by the Ocean Gliders Boundary Ocean Observing Network (BOON).  The OOI’s Endurance Array lines are part of the BOON along the US Pacific coast.
• Poster Presentations: The poster sessions showcased a wide range of research and operational insights.  OOI contributed two posters.
  • Stuart Pearce et al. presented a poster on “OOI In-Air Oxygen Calibration Adjustments and Improved Oxygen Sensor Mount,” highlighting advancements in sensor calibration for improved accuracy.
  • Peter Brickley et al. showcased “OOI Glider Operations in the Mid-Atlantic Bight,” detailing operational strategies and findings from extensive glider deployments in this dynamic region.

Outcomes and Next Steps

The workshop successfully facilitated deep engagement and collaboration, resulting in several key outcomes:

1. Enhanced Data Management Practices: The data management sessions provided a comprehensive overview of current challenges and future directions, including early-stage data federation efforts aimed at harmonizing international standards.
2. Support for a Sustained Glider Network: The discussions around a national glider network laid the groundwork for future collaboration, emphasizing the need for long-term, high-resolution coastal and deep ocean observations.
3. Advancements in Professional Training: The workshop underscored the importance of developing innovative, stackable educational opportunities to build capacity in the blue economy. These efforts aim to enhance workforce skills and provide diverse learning pathways for individuals seeking careers in ocean technology.

Stuart Pearce (OSU Endurance, left), Brian VerWey (OSU research glider group, center), and Jonathan Whitefield (OSU Endurance, right) pose during discussions around Brian’s poster.