RESEARCH OUTPUT

FACTS will network, disseminate, and reach out at international conferences around the world, presenting cutting-edge results and working actively to strengthen research networks. FACTS will also organise or co-organise workshops on new techniques for small micro and nanoplastics associated to major conferences. Some examples of such conferences are:
- SETAC Europe and North America conferences
- ASLO science meetings
- MICRO 2020 conference

FACTS will reach out by interactive webinars and streamed lectures and videos (youtube channels) to present major results and methods, and to engage different target groups in the work and outcome of the research. Examples on topics are:
- Videos from the cruises and activities
- Transport of microplastics to the arctic
- How to analyse for microplastics
- The fate of microplastics in the marine environment
- Nanoplastics - where are they?
- Do we eat plastic?

FACTS partners will engage in seminars and actions for and in universities, for multipliers, public schools and the general public, for example:
- Mini-workshops for multipliers such as journalists and teachers at AWI Helgoland (“Meeresbiologischer Kurs”)

- Talks in public summer seminar series BAH Helgoland
- Talks in university courses at AWI Helgoland
- Talks and seminars at public schools
- Education Lab Wadden Sea (University of Oldenburg)
- Talks for the annual meeting of the reference fleet (commercial fishermen collaborating for surveillance) of the IMR and the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries
- Education Lab OPENSEA (AWI)

FACTS will cooperate with various established science groups and stakeholder groups addressing microplastics, for example:
- SETAC (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) microplastic interest group
- MSFD (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) technical group on marine litter
- ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) working groups on Marine Sediments, Marine Litter and Biological Effects of Contaminants
- Arctic Council working groups, AMAP (Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme) and PAME (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment)
- OSPAR and HELCOM regional seas conventions marine litter working groups
- UN Environment Programme regarding marine plastics
- GESAMP Joint group of experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection-WG40 Plastics and Microplastics in the Ocean
- SCOR Working Group 153: Floating Litter and its Oceanic TranSport Analysis and Modelling (FLOTSAM)
- Nordic network on plastic standardization, funded by Nordic Council of Ministers, lead by Iceland

FACTS will exchange information with national agencies such as their Environmental Protection agencies and Food Safety Authorities. Concrete examples of established information exchange links are:
- EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)
- The Norwegian Food Safety Authorities and Government
- The Danish Ministry of Environmental and Food and associated agencies
- Swedish Agency for Water and Marine Environment, Swedish EPA, Swedish Food Safety Agency
- The Italian Ministry of the Environment and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA).
- The German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt – UBA)
- EURL (EU Reference Laboratories) and Quasimeme (Laboratory Performance Studies)