On October 15, the parallel forum of the “2023 World Women Scientists Conference” - Forum for Women Marine Scientists was held in Shangyu District, Shaoxing, with the theme of “Her Power in Ocean Exploration and Protection”. The forum was guided by the China Association for Science and Technology and the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, supported by the Women’s Special Committee of the Standing Committee of the China Association for Science and Technology, and co-sponsored by the SIO, Zhejiang University and China Women’s Association for Science and Technology. Researcher Han Xiqiu from the Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, MNR served as the forum chairman, and Academician Su Jilan and Deputy Director Chen Jianfang attended the conference. More than 80 scholars from 22 domestic and foreign research institutes and institutions attended the conference offline, and nearly 500 scientific and technological workers from universities, academies of sciences, and government science and technology departments participated online.

At the conference, Professor Elies Molins, Co-Chairman of the World Federation of Scientific Workers, Han Xiqiu, Vice Chairman of the Women’s Special Committee of the Standing Committee of the China Association for Science and Technology, and Lu Xiaguang, Vice Mayor of Shaoxing City and Secretary of Shangyu District Party Committee, delivered opening speeches. Academician Wang Ying from Nanjing University and Ms. Clare Reimers, Distinguished Professor of Oregon State University and Former Chairman of the AGU Department of Marine Sciences in the United States, gave invited keynote speeches. 7 outstanding young and middle-aged oceanographers, including Researcher Wu Qiaoyan, made invited presentations, and 5 experts, including Associate Researcher Liu Qian, participated in the roundtable interview. Besides, master candidates of the SIO actively participated in the forum exhibition board exchange session, and three students won the Excellent Exhibition Board Award.

Prior to the conference, a “big hands holding small hands” science popularization public welfare practice activity was organized for the forum. On the afternoon of the 14th, 22 scientists jointed hands with 22 elementary school students to carry out the scientific practice of water sample collection and testing on the bank of Cao’e River, jointly paint a beautiful home and launch environmental initiatives by the Zaoli Lake. The live streaming of science popularization public welfare activity was viewed more than 80,000 times, with a wide impact.

With the support of China Association for Science and Technology, the SIO has jointly hosted 5 sessions of the Forum for Women Marine Scientists with the Ocean College of Zhejiang University, making positive contributions to promoting the growth and development of female marine scientists, encouraging and attracting more young students to join the marine career.