Dartington Hall Hosts the SEACHANGE Annual Meeting 2026
The SEACHANGE consortium gathered once again for its yearly project meeting, this time at the historic Dartington Hall Estate near Totnes in Devon. Hosted from 31 May to 3 June 2026, the meeting brought together researchers and collaborators from across the consortium to review progress, discuss emerging results and plan the next phase of this ambitious ERC Synergy project.
Nestled in the South Devon countryside, Dartington Hall provided an inspiring setting for several days of scientific discussion. The estate has a remarkable history, with its medieval Great Hall dating back to the 14th century, while the wider estate became internationally renowned during the twentieth century as a centre for education, arts, sustainability and progressive social thinking. Its combination of historic buildings, beautiful gardens and tranquil surroundings made it an ideal venue for productive discussion and collaboration.
As in previous years, the meeting began with informal discussions over dinner on Sunday evening as delegates arrived from across the UK and Europe. These annual gatherings remain one of the most valuable opportunities for researchers from different disciplines to come together in person, strengthening connections across the diverse areas of expertise that make SEACHANGE possible.
The meeting followed the familiar SEACHANGE format, with work package sessions, open discussions and break-out groups spread across three days. Researchers presented new findings from across the project's study regions, generating lively discussion and helping to strengthen links between the different strands of SEACHANGE research. Many of these conversations continued beyond the formal sessions, demonstrating once again the value of bringing the consortium together in person.
Alongside reviewing scientific progress, the consortium also discussed publications, outreach activities and future plans for the project. As SEACHANGE move into its final year of the project, this annual meeting was a particularly important opportunity to exchange ideas, focus research areas and ensure the project continues to deliver world-leading research into how human societies and marine ecosystems have interacted over the long term.
