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About STAR

STAR (SOPAC's Science, Technology and Resources Network) was founded in 1985 in collaboration with UNESCO/IOC. STAR was formed as a vehicle to assist the international research community to provide advice to SOPAC, particularly during the intervals between SOPAC International Workshops. The inaugural Chairman, Dr Charles Helsley, was succeeded in 1992 by Professor Keith Crook and Dr John Collen was elected Chair in
1999.

STAR sessions are not merely technical meetings at which individuals present scientific papers and discuss results and implications. Participants have the additional responsibility of formulating advice to SOPAC concerning its Work Programme and of highlighting technical and scientific issues of particular importance or urgency. This advice, in the form of reports and recommendations from STAR Working Groups, and rapporteurs’ reports on highlights of STAR technical presentations, is tendered to Council both formally and during joint TAG/Council sessions of the Annual Session and all STAR participants are invited and urged to participate in this phase of the meeting.

One of the great strengths of SOPAC is its ability to mobilize excellent science and bring it to bear so as to address the national needs of SOPAC's island member countries. The long-established working relationship between SOPAC and the international research community is a vital element in this endeavour, and one that STAR is charged to nurture. This relationship stimulated a major change in the geoscience database in the SOPAC region during the 1980's.

Initially STAR was primarily concerned with "blue-water" marine geoscience, tectonics and resources. However, in response to island countries’ changing needs and priorities STAR has expanded its scope to cover several other technical fields, so as to ensure that the relationship between SOPAC and the scientific community remains a relevant and working one. These are covered in SOPAC's Work Programme and its Strategic Plan, which all participants should examine. STAR actively seeks a broad spectrum of participation to ensure that SOPAC's Work Programme and its forward planning are influenced by international science and technology that is both excellent and relevant. SOPAC's track record demonstrates that this approach is synergistic, forwarding both national needs and fundamental research.

A significant part of STAR's input comes through Working Groups, several of which will meet during the Annual Session. STAR Working Groups offer delegates an opportunity to raise and highlight issues in geoscience which are of significance to SOPAC and the Pacific community. Past STAR Working Groups have included Energy, Hazards, Habitats & Ocean Observing Systems, Water, and Coastal & Nearshore Processes.