Virtual GESSS is an online earth science student symposium organised by ECG (Early Career Geoscientists) from the Geological Society of Australia. Originally developed as an alternative to cancelled face-to-face GESSS events during the COVID 19 pandemic, Virtual GESSS provides students a platform to present their geoscience research to a broad audience around Australia and the world. Registration is free for Students and Non Student GSA Members
2022
15-16 November 2022 - Virtual GESSS 2022
Panellists:
Kerrylee Rogers - Environmental Science Academic Program Director, University of Wollongong
Mardi McNeil - Marine Geoscientist, Geoscience Australia
Pete Betts - Associate Dean of Graduate Research, Monash University; GSA President
Sonia Scarselli - Vice President BHP Xplor
Committee:
Sabin Zahirovic (University of Sydney) – Co-Chair and Program Committee
Erin Martin (IGO) – Co-Chair and Program Committee
Alanis Oleschbyrne (James Cook University) – Program Committee and Social Media Committee
Leah Lynham (James Cook University) – Social Media Committee
Carra Williams (University of Sydney) – Technical (Abstract) Committee
Avish Kumar (James Cook University) – Technical (Abstract) Committee
Princewill Okechukwu (Three and Three Consult) – Technical (Abstract) Committee and Lightning Talk Committee
Tianjiao Yu (Queensland University of Technology) – Lightning Talk Committee
Acacia Clark (University of Tasmania) – Lightning Talk Committee
Support: Virtual GESSS 2023 was sponsored by Geoscience Australia
Abstract volume: Click here
2021
29-30 November 2021 - Virtual GESSS 2021
Committee:
Amber Jarrett (Northern Territory Geological Survey) – Co-Chair
Elizabeth Dowding (University of Oslo) – Lightning Talk Committee
Elisabeth Scibiorski (Monash University) – Lightning Talk Committee and Technical Committee
Kasia Sobczak (University of Queensland) – Technical Committee
Tom England (Macquarie University) – Technical Committee
Sabin Zahirovic (University of Sydney) – Programme Committee
Avish Kumar (James Cook University) – Programme Committee
Erin Martin (Monash University) – Programme Committee and Social Media Committee
Fatemeh Amirpoorsaeed (Monash University) – Social Media Committee
Natalie Jenkins (University of New England) – Social Media Committee
Renjie Zhou (University of Queensland)
Support: Virtual GESSS is sponsored by Geoscience Australia
Cost: Students, GSA members and Geoscience Australia staff attend for free. All other members of the public can attend for just $10.00
Keynote Presenters:
Morgan Cox (Curtin University)
Sarah Kachovich (The Australian National University)
Program: Click here
2020
12-16 October 2020 - Virtual GESSS
Details: Virtual GESSS was held online during Earth Science Week 2020, which had the theme 'Earth Materials in Our Lives'. Participants were encouraged (but not obligated) to base their presentations around this theme. Sessions were organised by GESSS committees representing QLD, TAS, ACT/NSW and WA and were sponsored by CSIRO. Daily sessions were 2.5 hours long with the first 2 hours dedicated to 6-8 student presentations followed by INTRA GSA for participants and viewers to network. A professional development day was also held on the Thursday which included a “Pathways to work for the CSIRO” and several other sessions designed for participants to sharpen their skills.
12 October 2020 - Virtual GESSS QLD
Committee
Keegan McGuffie (University of Queensland) – Co-chair & Communications
Emily Conn (University of Queensland) – Vice/Co-Chair & Facebook
Tianjiao Yu (University of Queensland) – Secretary
Mathew Vermaak (University of Queensland) – All-rounder & Communications
Joan Esterle (University of Queensland) – Abstract Coordinator
Alison Troup (University of Queensland) – Abstract Coordinator
13 October 2020 - Virtual GESSS TAS
Committee
Olivia Wilson (University of Tasmania)
Hannah Moore (University of Tasmania)
Rhiannon Jones (University of Tasmania)
14 October 2020 - Virtual GESSS ACT and NSW
Committee
Amber Jarrett (Geoscience Australia)
Caleb Bishop (Australian National University)
15 October 2020 - Virtual GESSS Professional Development Day
Pathways to CSIRO Panel Session
Learn about career pathways from CSIRO earth scientists, and hear about their key projects.
Moderator: Ignacio (Nacho) Gonzalez-Alvarez Principal Geochemist
Panellists:
Renee Birchall, CSIRO Mineral Resources, Experimental Scientist/Team Leader
Morgan Williams, CSIRO Mineral Resources, Postdoctoral Fellow
Jessica Stromberg, CSIRO Mineral Resources, Research Scientist
Siyu (Shirley) Hu, CSIRO, Research Scientist
Shane Mulè, CSIRO, Research Scientist/ Team Leader
Communicating Science Outside of Publications
Presented by Kate Selway, Macquarie University, ARC Future Fellow
Publishing Your Research and Discoverability
Presented by Anita Andrew, Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, Editor-in-Chief
Video: Watch here
Gold at the End of the Rainbow: How your choice of colour can impact data interpretation
Presented by Thomas Schaap, CODES-Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences, PhD student
Why Mentors Matter
Presented by Marina Costelloe, Geoscience Australia, Acting Branch Head for the Mineral Systems Branch
Video: Watch here
16 October 2020 - Virtual GESSS WA
Committee
Raiza Quintero (Curtin University) – Chair/Secretary & Communications
Kenneth Orr (Curtin University) – Chair/Secretary & Abstract Coordinator
Andrea Rajšic (Curtin University) – Abstract Coordinator
Sean Makin (Curtin University) – Communications
Download Virtual GESSS Program
Webinars: Prior to Earth Science Week, two webinars were held in conjunction with Virtual GESSS.
10 September 2020 - Virtual GESSS Webinar 1: 'Promoting on Social Media'
Details: Hosted by GSA Governing Councillor Dr Verity Normington, this webinar provided participants with practical tips and skills on using social media to promote their participation in Virtual GESSS. The webinar aimed to generate an online conversation around Virtual GESSS and engage the GSA members in the event, but also highlighted basic skills for using social media for science communication and having an online presence.
Slides: Click here to download the slides
Video: Watch here
8 October 2020 - Virtual GESSS Webinar 2: 'Presenting Online'
Details: Hosted by Dr Sandra McLaren (University of Melbourne), this webinar provided participants with some practical skills for presenting for a virtual event. The skills required to present online are different to those typically adopted for traditional events.
Video: Watch here