logos for each special interest group - Energy, Insurance, Youth and Early Careers

New Special Interest Groups

11 November 2022

As you may already be aware, we have several Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that focus on a specific area of meteorology where group members can share information and views via meetings, events and other activities. We are pleased to introduce three new groups that our Science Engagement Fellows have set up. The groups are:

  • Energy
  • Insurance
  • Youth and Early Career

Energy

The new Energy SIG met for the first time on 27 September, intending to sustain, encourage and engage energy sector professionals, policy-makers and academics with weather and climate. It is co-chaired by David Brayshaw (University of Reading) and Dafni Sifnioti (EDF Energy). Members include representatives from the government, energy system operators, energy suppliers, energy-meteorology academia, and operational forecasters working in the energy sector.

At the first quarterly meeting, it was agreed that the Royal Meteorological Society should facilitate knowledge exchange, demystify meteorological terminology and data, and provide networking opportunities. A survey will gather a broader set of opinions and help focus the SIG’s activities going forward.

RMetS will be attending the SUPERGEN national conference towards the end of this month, presenting the work of the Society and Energy SIG, our contributions to the Climate Adaptation Working Group, and how we are engaging with the energy sector. This work includes engaging current members and accredited professionals in the energy sector about their RMetS membership and how we can best support the industry and develop member case studies.

Event

On 30 November, the Society is hosting an event: Seasonal Forecasts and Their Use in the Energy Sector. Adam Scaife, Head of Monthly to Decadal Prediction at the Met Office, will introduce seasonal forecasts and discuss the forecast for the upcoming winter. This will be followed by responses from Rebecca Jones (VP of Weather and Climate, BP), Laurent Dubus (Meteorology and Climatology Expert, French Transmission System Operator) and Peter McAward (Meteorologist, SSE). Together they will explain how they use seasonal forecasts and the implications of the most recent seasonal forecast for their work this winter.

Register here

Insurance

The first meeting of the Insurance SIG was on 28 September 2022. The group includes a range of meteorological specialists from six UK Universities, six insurance companies, the UK Met Office, and the Bank of England. The overarching aim of the group is to strengthen and expand current engagement between meteorologists and the insurance sector. The discussion was wide-ranging, and the value the Royal Meteorological Society could provide, following some survey results, was recognised as a way to bridge the gap between academia and the insurance sector. Ideas considered included targeted activities to help shape new research and career events to recruit talented new meteorologists into the industry.

The next steps for the SIG include the following:

  • An online research showcase in February 2023 highlighting recent relevant content from the RMetS journals portfolio, with opportunities for questions and discussion.
  • Career profiles highlighting options for future meteorology graduates or those considering a career change.
  • An in-person research agenda-setting event where the insurance sector can highlight key science challenges.

Youth and Early Career

The Youth and Early Career Special Interest Group (SIG) met for the first time in October to focus on the Society’s engagement with and provisions for youth and early careers, as well as champion their voice within RMetS activities. 

Youth members are defined as 16-24 years old, and early career members will be current students or have graduated from their highest degree within the past seven years. 

The next steps for the SIG include the following:

  • Working with the various RMetS committees to ensure that the needs of youth and early careers working within weather and climate are served well. It will also develop new content and activities. As such, members of the SIG span various career stages, including representing early careers from industry and school-aged (youth) members.
  • Conducting a review of the Society’s student ambassador scheme in 2023.
  • Scoping an in-person careers/networking event.
  • Developing ideas for training and career materials.


Each SIG is also developing a content bank for energy, insurance, youth and early careers members, making relevant RMetS resources, articles, and event recordings more readily accessible.

If you have any suggestions about activities that the SIGs should consider and how the Society should engage with the relevant groups represented, please do reach out to fellowship@rmets.org