Scottish Freshwater Group

Why we exist

Our SFG community is passionate about making a difference to the freshwater environment. We aspire to give our best efforts and lead a legacy impact in the world. Our purpose is to shape meaningful outcomes for Scotland’s freshwaters and beyond. We also encourage others to grow and sustain the invaluable work we do in future.

How we get things done

The SFG plays a key role in bringing together many people connected with freshwaters. We support the sharing of knowledge, experience and best practice among our members. We create the conditions for learning, experimenting and influencing collaborative outcomes across disciplines. It is a place where we can all have conversations and do work related to the freshwater environment. This inspires projects on local, national and globally important issues (eg climate change). The SFG Team helps our members by coordinating contributions, goings-on and engagement strategies.

What we do

We gather together twice yearly (in spring and autumn) at SFG meetings. These events are informal and usually hosted by Stirling University. Our SFG agendas focus on a common theme of interest or open topic discussion in a supportive setting. They comprise a blend of talks, bite-size presentations and lunchtime poster session. Sometimes we explore different approaches to SFG meetings (eg workshops, Bio-blitz activities). This promotes interaction between our members and adds value to the bigger picture.

What else we do

Action Team (ATs) help SFG members to collaborate on fundamental issues and drive our ambition. We have designed these ATs for everyone in the SFG to take part in small and big ways. They provide opportunities to infuse our expertise, enthusiasm, aspirations and people connections. We are building relationships, surfacing talent and integrating membership strengths for maximal impact. This will enhance the SFG's collective potential to influence environmental and people outcomes.

SFG membership and making contributions

Our evolving membership has supported the SFG's existence and influence on freshwaters for more than 50 years. Everyone will be integral to sustaining our community's longevity and vitality for decades to come.

We have an extensive and increasing network of ~500 listed SFG members. We connect people from broad-ranging backgrounds (e.g. universities, research institutes, government and non-government agencies, industry) and diverse career profiles (e.g. students, academics, practitioners, resource managers, policy makers, civil servants, consultants, citizen scientists and retirees).

Joining the SFG community is free and simple by registering interest. It is open to anyone who is enthusiastic about freshwaters and our purpose. All SFG members can expect frequent updates about SFG events, news and activities.

If you would like to offer a talk, poster or workshop for future SFG meetings, contribute to our Action Team Memberships or get involved with other development opportunities – please contact us via the SFG mailbox or social media on Facebook and Twitter.

SFG meetings

SFG meetings are often held in the Logie Lecture Theatre and Foyer at Stirling University (see campus map). We offer a safe and supportive environment to promote the work of our SFG community, friendly feedback mechanisms and ways for road-testing ideas.

These events are open (pre-registration not required), welcoming and free for SFG members to attend – except for lunch/beverages (usually served in the adjacent Cottrell Building) and campus parking fees, incurred at own cost. 

It is possible to access previous SFG meeting agendas, approved copies of presentations and summary reports by navigating our website.

SFG Action Teams (ATs)

We need motivated SFG members to engage with our Action Teams (ATs). These will run as virtual, short-lived (eg 6 to 18 month) project teams and develop our future capabilities. Each AT has a dedicated lead and cluster of SFG members evolving a shared vision. They are action-oriented and responsible for transforming ideas into practical outcomes. We trust our ATs will involve the wider SFG community along their cultural journeys.

Our first 3 ATs (2019/2020), their strategic purpose and affiliated people:

• AT #1 Enable SFG mindsets for sustainably tackling 21st C environmental challenges (Lead Coordinator Kerr Adams; n = seven SFG members)
• AT #2 Optimise citizen science opportunities at future SFG meetings (Lead Coordinator Roger Owen; n = seven SFG members)
• AT #3 Develop the SFG’s Innovation Hub (Lead Coordinator Claire Neil; n = four SFG members)

Our future ATs (coming soon):

• To be announced at forthcoming SFG meetings
• Call for SFG membership suggestions on future ATs

Other SFG Development Opportunities

Our SFG membership is our greatest asset and we want to help it flourish. SFG meetings provide the ideal place for everyone to grow from experience. Many of us have started out this way and developed through time. The SFG has had a positive influence on careers and enriched lives across our membership.

We enjoy practising our skills (eg presenting, chairing, networking, etc.) and helping others develop. The SFG caters for students eager to communicate their work in a welcoming and supportive environment. We also offer a plethora of development opportunities for interested SFG members. Here's a flavour of them – please contact the SFG Team if you would like to get more involved or seek mentoring.

SFG Guest Coordinator Roles & Session Chairing

The SFG is a fantastic incubator of people talent and capabilities at any career stage. It can be an intellectually stimulating and personally challenging environment for everyone.

It is now possible to put yourself forward for a chance to guest coordinate SFG meetings – from inspiring the agenda, to enhancing our professional network and having a go at session chairing. Regardless of whether it’s your first or thousandth time. Prior know-how is not essential. We provide leadership and tailored support for all SFG roles, as required.

Several SFG members have led by example and delivered quality events. We’re always looking for people with a desire to shape future SFG meetings and learn with others. Does this seem like the kind of opportunity you (or someone else) would thrive on or could use to improve a CV? If so, please express interest with the SFG Team.

• SFG 101 – Jennifer Dodd (Edinburgh Napier University)
• SFG 102 – Charlie Perfect (Scottish Environment Protection Agency)
• SFG 103 – Faye Jackson (Marine Scotland Science)

SFG Bio-blitz Activities

The first ever SFG community ‘Bio-blitz’ took place in spring 2016 at SCENE. We are preparing a manuscript for publishing our findings in a scientific journal. Further communication will follow.

We plan more field visits to help our SFG membership combine expertise and get to know each other better. Please let us know your suggestions about freshwater sites for future Bio-blitz activities.

SFG Social Side

The SFG is an informal and inclusive community. People with passionate connections to the freshwater environment lie at its heart.

We always like to see lifelong friends, our collaborators and welcome newcomers. We offer small gestures (e.g. badges) to help put faces to names and encourage mixing at SFG meetings.

There is an option for all SFG members to keep conversations going in a social setting. We usually do this by catching up at The Meadowpark, situated on the edge of campus, after SFG meetings.

It is also characteristic for our SFG members to stay in touch (e.g. ATMs, research projects, day jobs, social media, etc.) between SFG events. You can find us enjoying the freshwater environment – whether for work or wellbeing!