The WISE (Waves in Shallow Environments) group will hold its 14th annual conference in Lorne, Victoria, Australia on 15 – 19 April 2007.

WISE is the premier international meeting for researchers interested in ocean waves in the coastal environment.  Ocean waves are critically important for both engineering and environmental reasons.  Wind generated ocean waves represent the major environmental parameter for the engineering design of coastal and offshore structures, shipping, coastal stability and erosion and coastal flooding.  In addition, the air-sea interface and the waves which exist on this interface, control the transfer of heat and energy between the armosphere and the ocean.  As a result, ocean waves are critical in predicting global warming and climate change.

Waves in relatively shallow coastal environments are of particular importance.  It is in these coastal regions where significant human infrastructure is concentrated.  Therefore, waves in these shallow coastal environments are critical for the design of ports, harbours and other coastal structures, determination of coastal flooding in extreme events, the safety of coastal boating and shipping and the erosion of beaches and coastlines.  It is these major issues which the annual WISE meeting considers.  In particular, WISE is aimed at developing better numerical models for the prediction of waves in these shallow environments.

The WISE group consists of approximately 100 scientists and engineers from most parts of the world.  The group has worked in a collaborative manner for more than a decade with the goal of developing enhanced computer models for the prediction of waves in shallow environments.  This collaboration is fostered through the annual WISE meetings.  These meetings take the form of seminar presentations and group collaborative workshops.  In contrast to many international conferences, the aim of WISE is to present work-in-progress.  The aim is to foster collaboration, rather than to present published material.  As such, the meetings are highly productive and represent outstanding international collaboration.