IODP Site Survey Data Bank Sessions 2021

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IODP Site Survey Data Bank (SSDB) Information Sessions

The IODP Science Support Office will hold two information sessions on the Site Survey Data Bank (SSDB), the data submission system for IODP proposals. The sessions will cover best practices for organizing and submitting your data, how to use SSDB, recent changes to the system, and common data problems, and they will each end with an open question and answer period. The sessions are designed for anyone submitting data to the 1 May data deadline. The two sessions will cover the same material.

PRESS RELEASE

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ArcOP – A novel scientific ocean drilling expedition to explore Arctic Ocean paleoceanography and climate

 Tracking Arctic climate change from a Greenhouse to an Icehouse world
The European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD), the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat (SPRS) and Arctic Marine Solutions (AMS) will jointly conduct an expedition
of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), focused on the Arctic Ocean – a key location in global climate change.
 Science behind the ArcOP ExpeditionThe Arctic Ocean is a very sensitive and important region for global climate change, and is unique in comparison to the other oceans on Earth. Due to complex feedback processes (collectively known as “Arctic amplification”), the Arctic is both a contributor to climate change and a region that is most affected by global warming.
 
Despite this global importance, the Arctic Ocean is the last major region on Earth where the long-term climate history remains poorly known. Major advances in understanding were achieved in 2004 with the successful completion of IODP Expedition 302: Arctic Coring Expedition – ACEX implemented by ECORD, marking the start of a new era in Arctic climate exploration. 
The ArcOP expedition will represent another step-change in reconstructing the detailed history of climate change in the central Arctic Ocean over the last 50 million years. ArcOP will explore a critical time interval spanning the period when prominent changes in global climate took place, during the transition from the early Cenozoic Greenhouse world to the late Cenozoic Icehouse world.

An international team of scientists, led by the Co-chief Scientists Prof. Ruediger Stein (MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen, Germany) and Prof. Kristen St. John (Dept. of Geology and Environmental Science, James Madison University, USA), will collect about 900 m of sediment cores at two sites along the Lomonosov Ridge. The expedition will last for about seven weeks offshore and will be followed by intensive investigation and sampling of the cores onshore to unlock their climate secrets.A joint international initiativeThe ArcOP Expedition will be conducted in August and September 2022 by the ECORD Science Operator (ESO) in close collaboration with SPRS and AMS.
 
ArcOP is a unique and challenging expedition. A fleet composed of a scientific drillship supported by  two icebreakers will be used to make drilling possible in this permanently ice-covered region. Such a multi-vessel approach was employed by ECORD for the first time during the ACEX Expedition in 2004.
 
The selection  of  potential  ArcOP  sites  is  strongly  based  on  site-survey  expeditions  led  by  the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Sciences  Bremerhaven,  carried  out  with RV Polarstern in 2008, 2014 and 2018.More information
 About the ArcOP Expedition – https://www.ecord.org/expedition377
About the research programme IODP – http://www.iodp.org
About the European part of the programme ECORD – https://www.ecord.org
About ECORD Science Operator (ESO) – https://www.ecord.org/about-ecord/management-structure/eso/
About the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat (SPRS) – https://polar.se
About Arctic Marine Solutions (AMS) – https://arcticmarinesolutions.se

ARC LIEF GRANT SUCCESS

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ANZIC has been successful in our ARC LIEF funding request to enable ANZIC to continue for a further 18 months. During this period we will be aiming for subsequent NCRIS funding to drive ANZIC into the future.

The funding news was announced on the 23rd December. The grant is headed by Prof. Eelco Rohling from the ANU. Eelco will be the new lead of the program, replacing Prof. Richard Arculus who stepped down at the end of the previous LIEF grant, that was completed December 2020.

ANZIC is looking forward to planning exciting projects for the next couple of years and cheers to a prosperous 2021!

Introducing our new ANZIC JRFB SEP representatives

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Late 2020 we put a call out for new representatives to represent ANZIC on the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board’s (JRFB) Science Evaluation Panel (SEP). We would like to introduce and congratulate the following successful applicants and thank all those who applied.

SEP Science panel

Primary representative: Mark Kendrick (University of Queensland – Aust.)

Alternate: Fabio Caratori Tontini (GNS-NZ)

SEP Sites panel

Primary representative: Jess Hillman (GNS-NZ)

Alternate: Wanda Stratford (GNS-NZ)

Nominations are open for the 2021 Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize

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Nominations are open for the 2021 Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize, given in partnership between the American Geophysical Union and the Japan Geoscience Union. The Prize is given annually to an early-career (≤10 years post-PhD) or early mid-career scientist (10-15 years post-PhD) in recognition of outstanding, transdisciplinary research accomplishment in ocean drilling. Recipients of the Prize will receive an engraved crystal award, a US$18,000 monetary prize, recognition in Eos, recognition and invitation to present at the AGU Fall Meeting during the award presentation year, and two complimentary tickets to the Honors Banquet at the AGU Fall Meeting during the award presentation year. For full details, please see https://www.agu.org/Honor-and-Recognize/Honors/Union-Prizes/Taira-Prize. For any questions, please contact Mike Coffin, Chair of the Taira Prize Committee, at mike.coffin@utas.edu.au.

ANZIC Call for new representatives on the ANZIC Science Committee!

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Call Opens: Friday 13th November

ANZIC is seeking five new representatives on the Science Committee starting from January 2021.

EOIs close: December 2nd 2020.

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) addresses fundamental questions about Earth’s climate, deep life, geodynamics, and geohazards and is driven by a flow of drilling proposals provided by the scientific community.

The ANZIC Governing Council has a well-established Science Committee, which has the following role in assisting ANZIC to undertake decisions requiring scientific expertise and consideration:

Scientific Oversight

  1. Setting the criteria for ANZIC IODP Expeditioner selection reflecting IODP policy and guidelines.
  2. Assess and rank applicants for Expeditioner status and support by ANZIC.
  3. Set the criteria for ANZIC post-expedition and legacy project support, reflecting IODP policy and guidelines.
  4. Assess and rank applications for ANZIC post-expedition and legacy project support for advice, reflecting appropriate support of post-expedition and legacy grants.
  5. Set criteria, assess and rank applicants for other calls for scientific funding support (e.g. workshops) supported by ANZIC.
  6. Execute effective scientific governance of ANZIC.

The Science Committee will also set scientific criteria for assessing and ranking any other matters that the ANZIC Program Scientist or the ANZIC Governing Council delegates to the Science Committee.

The structure of the committee reflects the science undertaken by IODP. With the recent release of the new 2050 Strategic Framework and membership rotation, the structure of the ANZIC Science committee will evolve to bring on wider expertise to reflect the new Strategic Objectives, Flagship Initiatives and Enabling Elements in the Framework. ANZIC is therefore seeking five new representatives on the Science Committee starting from January 2021.

The role is extremely rewarding and a significant boost to broadening your knowledge, skills and national network across IODP. We are looking for representatives who are willing to embrace the collaborative, collegiate and constructive ethos of the review process. ANZIC are looking to promote diversity within the Science Committee, therefore applications by women and minority groups, ECR, MCR and Established researchers are welcome to apply for these roles. Applications are open to all ANZIC members (University and Research Organisations).

Assessment and selection: Members of the Science Committee encompass expertise across IODP Research Themes.

  • Application for Committee membership is via a call through the ANZIC Bulletin, where an EOI and two-page CV is to be submitted to the ANZIC Program Scientist and Chair of the Science Committee. Assessment is undertaken by the Science Committee, and assessment criteria include motivation, experience, Research Theme expertise, diversity, and institutional balance and commitments.
  • Committee membership means an invited member acknowledges and abides by their institutional Code of Conduct and Professional ethics guidelines, policies, and procedures, or equivalents, and the IODP Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy  in all matters related to serving as a Committee member.

Interested – have Questions?

If you are interested in the role, ANZIC will hold an information webinar on the 20th November (12:30pm Aust Eastern Summer Time) where the ANZIC Chair and Vice Chair (Joanna Parr (CSIRO) and Luke Nothdurft (QUT) and the Program Scientist (Leanne Armand) will cover what’s involved and answer any questions raised. Please contact the ANZIC administrator (iodp.administrator@anu.edu.au) to be sent an invitation to the Zoom webinar.

EOI Application.

Scientists interested in volunteering for these opportunities should send a cover letter, and a two-page CV to iodp.administrator@anu.edu.au by Dec 2nd 2020. (details below)

Cover letters should clearly indicate your primary field of expertise, briefly describe any previous committee experience, describe your interest in the scientific ocean drilling programs (now and in the future), and clearly identifying your alignment to with direct reference to: Strategic Objectives (primary and secondary alignment), Flagship Initiatives (Primary Alignment) and Enabling Elements (Primary Alignment) outlined in the 2050 Strategic Framework.

2 page max. Curriculum Vitae should include:

A) Academic/ Professional Qualifications

B) Employment History

C) Selected recent publications or relevant Government/Industry reports or outputs

D) Recent Synergistic Activities (e.g. service, committee, reviewer)

E) Relevant Field experience (last 5 years)

EOIs close: December 2nd 2020.

Submit your EOI to: iodp.administrator@anu.edu.au

Selection Process.

Applications will be administratively processed by the ANZIC Office and provided to the ANZIC Science Committee Chair who will convene a sub-committee to assess the applications. A short list will be provided to the ANZIC Program Scientist for consideration, and subsequent ANZIC Governing Council approval. This outcome is anticipated to be announced in late December, 2020.

ANZIC Call for two new representatives on the IODP Science Evaluation Panel.

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Call Opens: Friday 9th October

Webinar: Thursday the 22nd October (9:30am Perth; 11:30 Queensland; 12 noon Adelaide; 12:30pm ACT/NSW/Vic/Tas; 2:30pm New Zealand). Duration ~45 mins.

EOIs close: Wednesday 28th October.

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) addresses fundamental questions about Earth’s climate, deep life, geodynamics, and geohazards and is driven by a flow of drilling proposals provided by the scientific community.

The IODP Science Evaluation Panel (SEP) is an advisory body of the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board (JRFB), and is also used by the ECORD Facility Board and Chikyu IODP Board to review scientific drilling proposals. SEP is central to the success of IODP and is responsible for the evaluation and selection of the best and most relevant proposals, based on both scientific excellence and completeness and quality of the site survey data package. Members on SEP represent domain experts from IODP member countries who volunteer their time and expertise.

SEP’s work is organized by the panel Co-Chairs (currently Gail Christeson and Lisa McNeill). Aided by the IODP Science Support Office, SEP meets twice a year (January and June) to consider IODP proposals submitted to the April and October deadlines and conducts inter-sessional work via email. SEP follows the proposal review process described in the IODP Proposal Submission Guidelines and the IODP Standard Confidentiality Policy, and adheres to the Terms of Reference for SEP and the IODP Code of Conduct and Anti-harassment policy. Once SEP decides to forward a proposal, its future path toward possible implementation is determined by the relevant Facility Board.

ANZIC has two representatives on SEP, with one role aligned to the Site subgroup and the other within the Science subgroup. A representative’s term on SEP is normally 2-3 years. ANZIC has been invited by the JOIDES Resolution Facilities Board to advertise for two new representatives to commence in 2021, as outlined below.

ANZIC supports the attendance of their SEP representatives at the 3-4 day SEP meetings. Currently, in the pandemic situation, meetings are being held virtually, and ANZIC is investigating alternative support for the new representatives. The next meeting is anticipated to be held between the 12-14/15th January. ANZIC also identifies alternates for each representative, however, it is expected that ANZIC selected representatives will attend all meetings.

Call 1. Science subgroup.

An ANZIC representative with expertise in hard rock or tectonics and/or hydrates for the Science subgroup of SEP.

Call 2. Sites subgroup.

An ANZIC representative with expertise in conventional multichannel seismic data for the Site subgroup of SEP. Additional expertise in hard rock or tectonics and/or hydrates is welcomed.

Interested – have Questions?

If you are interested in either of these roles, ANZIC will hold an information webinar on the 2nd October (12:30pm Aust Eastern Summer Time) where previous ANZIC SEP representatives (Chris Elders (Curtin University) and Ron Hackney (Geoscience Australia)) and the Program Scientist (Leanne Armand) will cover what’s involved and answer any questions raised. Please contact the ANZIC administrator (iodp.administrator@anu.edu.au) to be sent an invitation to the Zoom webinar.

EOI Application.

Scientists interested in volunteering for these opportunities should send a cover letter and a two-page CV to iodp.administrator@anu.edu.au by October 28th, 2020. (details below)

The roles are extremely rewarding and a significant boost to broadening your knowledge, skills and international network across IODP. We are looking for representatives that are willing to embrace the collaborative, collegiate and constructive ethos of the review process; are able to commit to the meeting times and have experience in the fields identified. The JRFB and ANZIC are looking to promote diversity within SEP, therefore applications by women and minority groups are welcome to apply for these roles. Applications are open to all ANZIC members. We encourage the involvement of early- and mid-career scientists on SEP, as well as those with more experience.

Cover letters should clearly indicate your primary field of expertise, briefly document previous committee experience, describe your interest in the scientific ocean drilling programs (now and in the future), and identify your preferred panel assignment.

Curriculum Vitae should include:

A) Academic/ Professional Qualifications

B) Employment History

C) Selected recent publications or relevant Government/Industry reports or outputs

D) Recent Synergistic Activities (e.g. service, committee, reviewer)

E) Relevant Field experience (last 5 years)

EOIs close: Wednesday 28th October. Submit your EOI to: iodp.administrator@anu.edu.au

Selection Process.

Applications will be administratively processed by the ANZIC Office and provided to the ANZIC Science Committee Chair who will convene a sub-committee to assess the applications. A short list will be provided to the ANZIC Program Scientist for consideration, and subsequent ANZIC Governing Council approval. The ANZIC endorsed candidates will be provided to the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board (JRFB) Chair who will have them assessed by the Board and SEP Co-chairs. Once approved by the JRFB all ANZIC applicants to the opportunity will be informed of the outcome. This outcome is anticipated to be announced in December, 2020.