Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, 2012-05-17
http://www.hzg.de/institute/coastal_research/cosyna/012561/index_0012561.html

Implementation

COSYNA is financed and co-ordinated by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Materials and Coastal Research GmbH (HZG).
The scientific work is carried out together with partners from Helmholtz-Association (HGF), universities and monitoring authorities (COSYNA Consortium).
Besides a management team the COSYNA management structure comprises different internal and external steering and advisory boards.
COSYNA Working Groups co-ordinate the scientific work between HZG and the partners.

COSYNA is financed and co-ordinated by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Materials and Coastal Research GmbH. The science behind COSYNA is carried out together with partners from the Helmholtz Association, universities and monitoring authorities.

COSYNA is expected to bring together and strengthen the expertise and infrastructure of Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG) and other institutions from the consortium of German Marine Research (KDM). The aim is to create a centrally managed, operational, large-scale observation and modelling system.

A coastal observatory such as COSYNA involves national and international co-operation. As such, it should be considered a German contribution to international programmes such as COASTAL GOOS, GEOSS, GEOHAB, GMES, and JERICO. COSYNA also supports national monitoring authorities in complying with the European Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.



COSYNA management structure

In total, COSYNA involves more than 100 scientists at HZG and the various partner organisations. Co-ordinating such an initiative requires structures and dedicated personnel to deliver its day-to-day management. A management team has been established at HZG; a number of boards support its work.

The COSYNA management structure comprises:

The main responsibility for the initiative lies with the COSYNA co-ordination team.

The COSYNA Scientific Steering Committee (CSSC) provides strategic recommendations and milestones and controls progress. The CSSC consists of representatives of HZG, the partners and other institutions and meets twice a year.

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) provides an international perspective on COSYNA’s status, work carried out and future plans. The panel is composed of seven members and meets once a year.

The internal COSYNA Steering Committee (internes Lenkungsgremium, ICL) of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht is responsible for scientific advice and controlling.

The project management team deals with the day-to-day business of running COSYNA.

The leaders of the sub-projects co-ordinate the respective work packages.

In order to co-ordinate the scientific work between Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht and the partners COSYNA Working Groups (Arbeitskreise, AKs) have been established. The tasks of the working groups are to specify and harmonise COSYNA operations across the different institutions. This includes the specification of technical details for different stations, the overall strategy of data management & quality assurance. The working groups meet regularly until they have completed their task. New working groups can always be initiated if needed.