The main decision-making body for the SOOS is its Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), which meets annually and directs implementation of the SOOS towards its goals. The SSC has three operational levels:
1. Co-Chairs and Executive Committee
The SSC is led by two Co-Chairs, typically drawn from different sectors of the Southern Ocean scientific community. The Co-Chairs act to oversee the SSC. The Executive Committee (EXCOM) is composed of the Co-Chairs and the Executive Officer and makes decisions pertaining to the composition and operation of the SSC.
2. Scientific Members
The SSC consists of approximately 15 scientific members selected through an internationally open call for nominations based on their scientific excellence and standing in a field of Southern Ocean science, their programmatic connections, and national representation. The SSC also includes a representative of the Data Management community and the two Co-Chairs. Members are chosen by the EXCOM with final approval by SCAR and SCOR.
Please click here for more information on the nomination process or to nominate a new SSC member.
3. Ex-officio Representatives
Ex-officio representatives from the sponsoring bodies (SCAR and SCOR) and closely related organisations also provide input to the SOOS and attend SSC meetings. The organisations represented on the SSC are chosen by the SSC, however ex-officio representatives are selected by their respective organisations.
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
| Stephen Ackley | Uni. of Texas San Antonio, USA | Scientific member |
| Parli Venkateswaran Bhaskar | National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, India | Scientific member |
| Angelika Brandt | University of Hamburg, Germany | Scientific member |
| Daniel Costa | University of California, USA | Scientific member |
| Kim Finney | Australian Antarctic Division, Australia | Scientific member; Data manager |
| Alberto Naveira Garabato | National Oceanographic Centre, UK | Scientific member |
| Jiping Liu | University at Albany, SUNY, USA | Scientific member |
| Mauricio Mata | Federal University of Rio Grande, Brazil | Scientific member |
| Michael Meredith | British Antarctic Survey, UK | Co-Chair; POGO ex-officio |
| Steve Rintoul | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia | Scientific member |
| Oscar Schofield | Rutgers University, USA | Co-Chair |
| Sebastiaan Swart | University of Cape Town, South Africa | Scientific member |
| Bronte Tilbrook | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia | Scientific member |
| Anna Wahlin | University of Gothenburg, Sweden | Scientific member |
| Tosca Ballerini | Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, France | APECS ex-officio |
| Andrew Constable | Australian Antarctic Division, Australia | ICED ex-officio |
| Ed Urban | SCOR Secretariat, USA | SCOR ex-officio |
| Mike Sparrow | SCAR Secretariat, UK | SCAR ex-officio |
| Louise Newman | SOOS International Project Office, Australia | SOOS Executive Officer |
The SOOS "Initial Science and Implementation Strategy" outlines the scientific rationale and strategy for the SOOS and identifies the next steps towards implementation.
