YG Training Program
In conjunction with the conference is a training program for young geomorphologists (i.e. students and early career researchers) taking place from Friday 30th January through to Saturday 7th February. This training program contains a range of technical training on different aspects of geomorphology, along with career development opportunities, social activities, and a fieldtrip. Participants can register for one or more of these activities through the main conference registration portal.
Some activities are restricted to young geomorphologists while others are open to anyone, but preference will be given to young geomorphologists and recipients of the IAG Travel Grants (see below), and space will be limited for some activities. An overview of the program schedule is below, and full details of the program are available in the program flyer here.
CLICK HERE for more information about Student and ECR support.
Sunday 1 Feb: Due to unforeseen circumstance the Coastal Mapping workshop has been cancelled.
Geoquiz
Where: Meet at the University of Canterbury Club / Ilam Homestead on the University of Canterbury campus. See map below for guidance.
When: Sunday 1st February, Meet from 4.30 pm, the quiz will begin at 5 pm. The evening will finish at approximately 7.30 pm.
What to expect: A pub-style quiz with a geomorphology theme, and nice prizes up for grabs. Snacks and pizza dinner will be provided. There is a bar available to purchase drinks and snacks.
What to bring: Your brains!
What to prepare beforehand: Nothing, just turn up!
Key contact person: Sarah McSweeney (sarah.mcsweeney@canterbury.ac.nz)
Coffee Catchup (Monday)
Where: Foyer outside Dobson 1, Te Pae.
When: Monday 2nd February, 1:10 to 2 pm.
What to expect: Nothing formal, but feel free to use this space to eat your lunch and connect with other young geomorphologists. There will be a cellphone charging station here for you to use.
What to prepare beforehand: Nothing, just turn up!
Peer Review Workshop
Where: Dobson 1, Te Pae.
When: Tuesday 3rd February, 1:30 to 2.30 pm.
What to expect: The Editor in Chief of JGR-Earth Surface, Ann Rowan will explain how peer review works and the editorial process, also allowing you to ask questions.
What to prepare beforehand: Nothing in particular, but it's a chance to ask any questions you may have to de-mystify the peer review process.
Key contact person(s): Alissa Flatley (a.flatley@unsw.edu.au)
Consulting Careers Night
Where: Dobson 1, Te Pae.
When: Tuesday 3rd February, 6:30 to 8.30 pm.
What to expect: In the first hour Prof. Ian Rutherfurd will chair a panel of geomorphology consultants who will share their experiences and tips on getting into the world of consulting. There will be opportunities to ask questions. For the second hour there will be an opportunity to socialise with consultants over drinks and substantial canapes. This event is generously sponsored by Zealandia Consulting.
What to prepare beforehand: Nothing in particular, but it's a chance to ask any questions you may have about doing consultancy work.
Panel members:
- Prof. Ian Rutherfurd (Chair, fluvial) – University of Melbourne / Alluvium (Melbourne, Australia)
- Dr Geoff Vietz (fluvial) – Streamology (Melbourne, Australia)
- Dr Hong Jiang (fluvial) – The Nature Conservancy Australia (Melbourne, Australia)
- Mr Danny Klimetz (fluvial) – Auckland Council (Auckland, New Zealand)
- Ms Selene Conn (fluvial) – Tonkin + Taylor (Bay of Plenty, New Zealand)
- Ms Kate MacDonald (coastal) – Jacobs (Christchurch, New Zealand)
- Mr Andrew Funk (landslide) – BGC Engineering Inc. (Vancouver, Canada)
Key contact person(s): Runjie Yuan (runjie.yuan@monash.edu)
Publishing Workshop: How to write and publish a journal article
Where: Dobson 1, Te Pae.
When: Thursday 5th February, 1:05 to 2.30 pm (during lunch break - lunch provided).
What to expect: This workshop facilitated by Prof. Jasper Knight, deals with the process of putting together a journal article for publication, and talks through the expectations, requirements and workflow of the writing and submission process. It provides handy tips for ensuring your journal article does what it is supposed to do, to increase the likelihood that it is accepted for publication in a decent journal. Lunches will be provided at the start of the workshop, since this falls during the lunch break and the conference lunch is off-site (self-catered) for everyone else this day.
What to prepare beforehand: Nothing, just turn up!.
Key contact person(s): Alissa Flatley (a.flatley@unsw.edu.au)
Coffee Catchup (Friday)
Where: Foyer outside Dobson 1, Te Pae.
When: Friday 6th February, 1:30 to 2.30 pm.
What to expect: Nothing formal, but feel free to use this space to eat your lunch and connect with other young geomorphologists. There will be a cellphone charging station here for you to use.
What to prepare beforehand: Nothing, just turn up!
Submarine Mapping Workshop
Where: Meet at the University of Canterbury Earth Science Garden, out front of the Ernest Rutherford (ER) Building (see notes and maps below). The workshop will be held in room ER211/212.
When: Saturday 7th February, Meet at 9.00 am. The workshop will finish at approximately 4.00 pm.
What to expect: The day will be spent in a computer lab getting practical instruction in how to undertake submarine mapping.
What to bring: Notepad and pen. Tea/coffee, snacks and lunch will be provided, but we recommend bringing your own water bottle.
What to prepare beforehand: Nothing, just turn up.
Key contact person(s): Sophie Horton (sophie.horton@canterbury.ac.nz) & Runjie Yuan (runjie.yuan@monash.edu)
GPR Workshop
Where: Meet at the University of Canterbury Earth Science Garden, out front of the Ernest Rutherford (ER) Building (see notes and maps below). The workshop will be held in Brian Mason Room (L2, ER building).
When: Meet at 9.00 am. The workshop will finish at approximately 4.00 pm.
What to expect: The day will be spent partly outdoors collecting GPR data and partly indoors in a computer lab.
What to bring: Hiking shoes, comfortable outdoor clothes, wet weather gear (i.e. rain jacket essential, rain pants optional), a warm top, sunhat, personal medication, a notepad and pen. Snacks and lunch will be provided, but we recommend bringing your own water bottle.
What to prepare beforehand: Nothing, just turn up.
Key contact person(s): Sophie Horton (sophie.horton@canterbury.ac.nz)
How to find things and get around
The University of Canterbury campus is located about halfway between the airport and Te Pae which is in Christchurch CBD. There are public buses that regularly pass by the university, but the journey can take 30-45 mins from the CBD. You can pay by contactless credit or debit card, by holding your card to the proximity reader on the bus when you board - you don’t need to ‘tag’ off. You can also pay by cash (coins or small notes preferable). You can also take Uber and taxi, or rent an e-scooter or bike to get around Christchurch. In general, it is safe to walk in Christchurch, but we advise you to avoid walking alone at night. If you feel unsafe on campus call University of Canterbury security (UC security contact number: 0800 823 637).
For the fieldtrip and workshops on the university campus, the meeting point is the Earth Science Garden, out front of the Ernest Rutherford (ER) Building. Click here for a GoogleMaps link or look at the maps below. If wet, there is a foyer by the main door to Ernest Rutherford Building where you can wait. Otherwise feel free to check out some of the cool rocks at the rock garden while waiting - scan the QR codes to learn about their geological histories.
For the Quiz, the venue is also on campus but on the other side of Ilam Road at the Ilam Homestead. Click here for a GoogleMaps link or consult the map below.
Locations of airport, University of Canterbury, and Te Pae:
University of Canterbury Map:
The meeting point for both workshops and the field trips is the rock garden outside of Ernest Rutherford. The #3 bus stops on Ilam Road, across from the quiz venue.
Who to contact:
For any general queries related to the training program contact Sarah McSweeney (sarah.mcsweeney@canterbury.ac.nz) and Sam McColl (s.mccoll@gns.cri.nz). For queries on specific activities refer to the key contact person listed in the information for each activity above. For queries related to the conference or registering for the training program contact the conference organising team at icg2026@confer.co.nz