Program and Keynote Speakers
ICS2024 Program
We are excited to welcome you to the 17th International Coastal Symposium (ICS2024), a global gathering of coastal experts, researchers, and practitioners. This year's symposium will feature a comprehensive program designed to address critical topics in coastal science, management, and conservation.
Program Highlights
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Keynote Speakers
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Science-to-policy dialogue and panel discussions
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Oral Presentations
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Poster Presentations
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Networking Opportunities
The preliminary scientific program is now available. Please be aware that we reserve the right to make changes at short notice.
Click here to view the online preliminary program and explore the sessions, speakers, and events that await you at ICS2024.
To view PDF version of the program, click here for the simple agenda and click here for the detailed schedule.*it best to refer to the online live program as any updates will reflect.
Meet our Keynote Speakers
Prof. Dr. Tarmo Soomere
President, Estonian Academy of Sciences
Professor of Coastal Engineering, Head of Wave Engineering Laboratory, Department of Cybernetics, School of Science, Tallinn University of Technology
Tarmo Soomere is mathematician and marine and coastal scientist. He graduated 1980 from Lomonossov Moscow State University, earned PhD in oceanology 1984 and Doctor of Mathematics 1992, and became Professor of Coastal Engineering at Tallinn University of Technology 2005. Since 2007 he is elected member and since 2014 the President of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. In this capacity, he is de facto acting as Chief Science Advisor in the country and chaired in 2020–2023 the European Science Advisors’ Forum (ESAF). Currently he is chairing the International Science Council (ISC) European Members group.
His scientific interests are concentrated to the analysis of wave climate and climate change, wave-driven coastal processes, mitigation of marine hazards, and preventive methods of coastal protection. He has published >200 research papers and dozens of popular science pieces and science policy essays.
He has received twice (2002 and 2013) the national science award, 2007 the Baltic Assembly Prize for science and 2014 state decoration of 3rd class White Star order for developing coastal science in Estonia. International recognitions include membership of Academia Europaea, foreign membership of Latvian Academy of Sciences and Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, and honorary doctorate by Klaipeda University. Several highly unusual distinctions for a scientist came from society: he was declared the Person of the Year in Estonia 2005 by daily newspaper The Postman for his contribution to the forecast of a devastating storm and received The Friend of Press 2017 award by the Estonian Society of Newspapers.
Prof. Jean Taylor Ellis
Professor, Department of Geography
University of South Carolina
Dr. Jean Taylor Ellis is a distinguished advocate for water and coastal issues whose impactful career has spanned academia, research, and leadership roles. Currently a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of South Carolina (USC), she is revered for her contributions to the field and commitment to fostering environmental stewardship. She is currently a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of South Carolina (USC). Notably, Dr. Ellis previously held the position of Associate Dean at USC’s Graduate School, exemplifying her dedication to graduate education and mentoring. She is on the Board of Directors for the Coastal Education and Research Foundation and the recipient of the American Association of Geographers’ prestigious R.J. Russell Award, a testament to her scholarly achievements and leadership in the field. With a distinguished background that includes being a former NOAA Sea Grant John A. Knauss Fellow, liaison to NASA for White House-level advisory committees, and a Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Ellis has played pivotal roles in shaping national and international coastal policy. Dr. Ellis's commitment to her home state of South Carolina is evident through her service on Governor-appointed commissions and workgroups, where she advises on critical issues such as beach nourishment and coastal protection. Her expertise and guidance have been instrumental in developing effective strategies for mitigating the impacts of coastal hazards and preserving the state's natural resources for future generations. A prolific scholar, Dr. Ellis has published extensively on various topics, from the mechanics of wind-blown sand to innovative approaches to coastal management, such as dune recovery post-disaster and the implementation of living shorelines. Her groundbreaking research includes the development of specialized instruments for measuring sediment transport on beaches and proposing revisions to enhance the accuracy of hurricane scales, highlighting her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and improving our understanding of coastal dynamics.
Prof. John MK Wong DSc
Marine Environment Advisor
to Assistant Undersecretary Wildlife and Nature Reserve Affairs
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
State of Qatar
Prof. John MK Wong is the Marine Environment Adviser to the Assistant Under-Secretary for Protection & Nature Reserves Affairs at Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. He represents Qatar as a UNESCO IOC delegate. Prof. Wong holds an honorary D.Sc. in Marine Environmental Science and has been a certified diver since 1966. As a pioneering marine conservationist, he has conducted extensive research on marine mammals and ecosystems across Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and polar regions. He was the founder and Chairman of the Hong Kong Marine Conservation Society and has published over 150 papers. He had been appointed Honorary Professor of Robert Gordon University of Scotland and Professor of the Weihai branch of Shan Dong University of China. He was the Chairman of Country and Marine Parks Board of Hong Kong Government. His contributions to marine conservation have earned him the Gold Star Award for Marine Conservation & Education by IBA Cambridge UK.
Prof. Lambros Kaiktsis
Professor and Head, Department of Marine Engineering
University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST)
Lambros Kaiktsis is a Professor and Head of the Department of Marine Engineering of the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST). He joined the UDST faculty in August 2023. He has been a faculty member of the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens from 2003 to 2023. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, an MSc in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University, and a PhD in Mechanical & Process Engineering from ETH Zurich. For a number of years, he worked as a research scientist at ETH Zurich on the simulation of complex flow and combustion applications. He has also been a consultant to the marine Diesel engine industry (Wärtsilä Switzerland). He has participated in a high number of research projects, both as coordinator and team member. His research work includes 75 peer-reviewed publications in international journals and conference proceedings; it has received about 2200 citations. He has been a reviewer of about 30 journals in the fields of fluids mechanics, heat transfer, internal combustion engines and combustion. His research interests include Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling and optimization in thermofluids applications, with emphasis on marine engines, tribology, and fluid-structure interaction.