Take a look at what training workshops have been offered in the past

Listed from most recent offerings at the top, down to the least recent

2025

2025 July 29 – Aug 19

Environmental DNA for Marine Molecular Ecology

Because all living things make DNA, and because the sequence of this DNA makes species distinguishable from one another, individual cells contain a vast storehouse of biological information that can be recovered from water, soil, or air samples. This residual genetic information that is left behind from the living parts of an ecosystem is called eDNA. This three-week training workshop provides an in-depth experience in the techniques relevant for learning about marine ecology using molecular tools.

2025 July 6 – July 27

Marine Sciences, Ocean Arts

How do we understand and respond to the “ocean emergency”? This training workshop invites practitioners, educators, graduate students, and advanced undergraduate students from science, arts, and interdisciplinary backgrounds to investigate and create scientifically-grounded work in oceanic environmental arts, or marine STEAM. In a hands-on approach we will develop skills of scientific and arts-based inquiry skills, and will develop and present original works that integrate the two. Participants are encouraged to bring a work in progress, or to launch new lines of inquiry during the workshop. You will emerge with a deeper scientific and creative practice, greater interdisciplinary capacity, and a portfolio of analytical and creative work that celebrates the living ocean.

2025 June 11 – July 2

Ecology of Infectious Diseases in a Changing Ocean

The past decade has seen an explosion in research exploring how ecological processes drive the emergence and persistence of diseases in humans and wildlife. This training workshop on marine infectious disease ecology will feature experts in the field and include a lecture focus by resident and guest speakers on general aspects of marine infectious disease ecology, including climate drivers. The field and lab skills will use eelgrass disease as a model system.

2024

2024 August 18 – August 31

Marine Heat Waves in a Changing Ocean

During recent years, Marine Heat Waves (MHWs) have strongly impacted marine ecosystems around the world. These impacts range from the bleaching of coral reefs to the emergence of marine infectious disease outbreaks to the collapse of kelp beds, fish stocks, and seabird populations. Participants will be taken on a global tour of major MHW events guided by recognized experts in the field. They will learn how to use the standard methods for detecting and quantifying MHWs as well as the new methods being developed for attributing the role of anthropogenic climate change in generating and/or amplifying MHWs.

Read the published, student-written report from this workshop: The Next Generation of Marine Heatwaves Science: Takeaways from a Two Week Training Workshop.

Lecture videos from this workshop can be accessed via the UW Friday Harbor Laboratories YouTube channel.