UK Acoustics Network

The UK Acoustics Network (UKAN) aims to bring together the internationally leading, but disparate UK acoustics research community, to promote acoustics in the UK both nationally and internationally and to provide a coherent single point of access to acoustics research for industry and governmental agencies. The main aim of the UK Acoustics Network is to bring together researchers working in different areas of acoustics to enhance communication between groups, provide a focus for collaboration and innovation, and to maximise the future impact of acoustics based research in the UK.

The UKAN has a number of Specialist Interest Groups (SIGs). The SIG for Underwater Acoustics (SIGUA) is concerned with the generation, transmission and reception of sound in the underwater environment including the interaction between sound and underwater surfaces and structures. The principal function of the SIGUA is to provide a forum for researchers, practitioners and users of all underwater acoustics, covering analysis, modelling, synthesis, and measurement, across all possible underwater applications.

Historically, the UK has held a strong position internationally in underwater acoustics, and underwater acoustics has been represented at senior levels in industry and government, with considerable influence on national research priorities, including funding. SIGUA will take steps to:

1. Increase the national profile and importance of underwater acoustics
2. Increase the level of senior representation in underwater acoustics
3. Increase the number of early career researchers in underwater acoustics
4. Increase the number of contributions to journals and international conferences in underwater acoustics

The main way this is expected to be achieved is by demonstrating the value of research in underwater acoustics to national challenges and strategic areas for research development. The SIGUA should also develop ways to capture different stakeholder valuations of research in underwater acoustics and to demonstrate the wider value to public life and its impact on society and the economy.

The SIGUA will divide its efforts between a series of workshops, conferences, and other scientific events to exchange ideas and promote discussion between researchers, practitioners and users and a set of strategic objectives.