Recent Advances in Field Digital Techniques

This seminar/workshop series will provide an update on advances in digital techniques that have developed since our conference’s previous digital workshop was held in Greensboro in December 2003. In addition to presentations on digital photo capture, handling and editing techniques, the workshop has been expanded to include presentations on how to integrate other kinds of digital field data (e.g., GPS) directly into databases. Abstracts will be solicited from throughout the marine mammal community and presentations will cover as broad a range as possible on digital field capture techniques. The first workshop day will be devoted to oral presentations. A second workshop day will be developed specifically devoted to hands-on half-day teaching modules few selected topics (photo capture, photo editing, database development, others).

This is a call for abstracts for presentations and for teaching modules. Please submit abstracts of 300 words or fewer to sally.mizroch@noaa.gov. Deadline for abstract submission is 20 July 2007.

The cost for the seminar/workshop is ZAR 200 per person per day to cover the use of meeting room space, audiovisual equipment and two tea/coffee sessions.

Format of seminar/workshop
First Day (27 Nov 2007): Seminar of presentations
Second Day (28 Nov 2007): Workshop with hands-on teaching modules for small groups

Deadlines
Seminar presentations: Researchers should submit abstracts for oral presentations (no more than 300 words, please) by 20 July 2007
Workshop/teaching module: Researchers are asked to develop a short (2-4 hour) module to introduce/teach your digital technique to small groups who will each work on their own computer. Please e-mail me your teaching module ideas as soon as possible, but no later than 20 July 2007.

Decisions on the teaching modules will be made by 15 August 2007.

The seminar presentations and modules will be posted and people can sign up to attend starting 20 August 2007. Priority for participation in the seminar/workshops will be given to active researchers who will be able to transmit information about the new techniques to others in their lab/project/region.

Product: Presenters will be expected to write up their techniques in a format that includes step-by-step guidelines on how to use their digital technique. These written protocols will be posted on a website that can be updated as the techniques change.

Contact:
Sally A. Mizroch
Alaska Fisheries Science Center