A workshop focused on glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), ice sheets, sea-level change, and associated geodetic and geophysical observational constraints was held at the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS) and Pacific Geoscience Centre (PGC), located near Sidney, British Columbia, Canada, from 2-6 June 2025. The workshop brought together 70+ researchers in person and dozens more virtually to discuss recent advances in the observations, analysis, and modelling of GIA.
The 5-day program included oral and poster sessions focused on various thematic topics relating to GIA, ice sheet and glacier history, mass balance and projected future change, and the effects of this ice sheet evolution and Earth response on global, regional, and local scales. Participants discussed observations, analyses, and modelling of ice sheet dynamics, the ensuing solid-Earth response, the resulting global and local (relative) sea-level changes, and the interactions and feedbacks between these components of the coupled Earth system.
In addition to oral and poster sessions, the workshop incorporated opportunities for networking and collaboration, including a one-day field trip to observe local records of GIA, glacial geology, and active tectonics. During the last day, several smaller workshops on specific topics that are of high interest for the GIA community were offered. These workshops encouraged advanced research in targeted fields (e.g., benchmarking of GIA modelling codes, differences between GIA and GNSS reference frames, modelling of paleo ice-sheet histories, GIA in Antarctica, and observational constraints for GIA in Antarctica).
CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE 2025 GIA WORKSHOP!
Congratulations Greta Bellagamba and Taryn Neligan!
Above: Dr. Thomas James from the Geological Survey of Canada and University of Victoria presents the Outstanding Student Presentation Award for the Oral Presentation category to Greta Bellagamba, a Doctoral Graduate Student from the University of Iceland. Not pictured is Taryn Neligan from the University of Victoria (unavailable during the awards ceremony), who received the Outstanding Student Presentation Award for the Poster Presentation category. Congratulations Greta and Taryn!
REGISTRATION
Registration for in-person participation is closed, but virtual registration remains open. All virtual attendees must complete a VIRTUAL REGISTRATION FORM.
Instructions for how to participate virtually, including access to the password-protected online virtual poster gallery, will only be sent to individuals who have submitted a registration form.
PARTICIPANT LIST DEADLINE: A complete list of workshop participants will be included in the abstract book. The deadline to register virtually and have your name included in the list of workshop participants was 25 May 2025. Virtual registration will remain open throughout the meeting, but individuals registering after 25 May 2025 will not be included in the abstract book.
SCHEDULE AND PARTICIPANT LIST
For the complete schedule, including a detailed listing of presentations, participants, workshops, and abstracts, please download the ABSTRACT BOOK [PDF].
Sunday
6:00 pm Icebreaker (Location TBD)
Monday
9:00 am – 6:00 pm Talks and posters at IOS/PGC (shuttle to and from Sidney will be provided)
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm ECR meet-up in Sidney
Tuesday
9:00 am – 6:00 pm Talks and posters at IOS/PGC (shuttle to and from Sidney will be provided)
Wednesday
Field trip entire day
Thursday
9:00 am – 6:00 pm Talks and posters at IOS/PGC (shuttle to and from Sidney will be provided)
Friday
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Workshops at IOS/PGC (shuttle to and from Sidney will be provided)
VIRTUAL POSTER GALLERY
Virtual posters and optional summary videos may be viewed online in the online VIRTUAL POSTER GALLERY.
Access to the password-protected gallery is granted only to individuals who register. Please see the REGISTRATION section above for details on how to register as a virtual participant.
PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
Oral Presentation Guidelines (in-person and virtual):
- Slide Format: 16:9
- Font Size: Please use a large font to allow people sitting in the back of the room to read the text. For a PowerPoint standard 16:9 slide size of 13.33 in width x 7.5 in height, a minimum font size of 24 is required.
- Oral Presentation Length: 12 minutes plus 3 minutes for questions and change of speaker. Please do not exceed 12 minutes.
- Invited Speaker Oral Presentation Length: 25 minutes plus 5 minutes for question and change of speaker.
- Virtual presenters will be able to share their screen and present live.
In-Person Poster Guidelines:
- Maximum Poster Dimensions: 60” x 36” (152 cm x 92 cm)
- Each presenter will be provided with a 5-foot-wide by 3-foot-high poster board space. Please do not exceed these maximum dimensions.
- In-person poster presenters may choose to upload a digital poster and/or video for viewing in the online poster gallery. Please see the Virtual Poster Guidelines for further details and instructions.
- Providing a digital poster and overview video is not a requirement for in-person poster presentations. Instructions for uploading files will be emailed to registered presenters.
The workshop will follow the American Geophysical Union (AGU) recommended font and organizational best practices for in-person posters:
Font Recommendations:
- Paragraph/captions — 24 points (0.9 centimeters high) minimum
- Headers — 36 points (1.2 centimeters high) minimum
- Use different colors and textures/symbols for each line or bar.
- Use a serif font (e.g., Times) for main text.
- Use a non-serif font (e.g., Arial or Helvetica) for headers and labels.
Organizational Best Practices:
- Organize the poster so it is clear, orderly, and self-explanatory.
- Group similar ideas together.
- Label elements as I, II, III; or 1, 2, 3; or A, B, C.
- Avoid clutter (e.g., too much text).
- Include key details such as background, results, and conclusion.
- Put the title and number of your paper at the top of the poster board.
- Highlight authors’ names and contact information.
Important Details:
- Do not laminate your poster so that it can be recycled.
- Make sure diagrams or charts can be read from 2 meters away.
- Allow for a 2.54-centimeter (1-inch) border.
Virtual Poster Guidelines
Individuals presenting a virtual poster are required to upload a digital PDF file of their poster. Presenters may also choose to upload an overview video (3 minutes or less) of their digital poster. The overview video is optional and not a requirement for virtual poster presenters. Instructions for uploading files will be emailed to registered presenters.
Virtual Posters:
- Poster Dimension Format: 5:3 aspect ratio (landscape)
- Accepted Poster File Format: PDF
- Maximum File Size: 128 MB
Optional Overview Video:
- Accepted Video File Formats: MP4 and MOV
- Maximum Video File Size: 128MB
- 3 minutes or less
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
This information is intended as a guide only. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the final responsibility to make travel plans and provide required travel documentation lies with the traveler. The workshop is being held in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada from June 2-6, 2025. The preliminary schedule is posted above.
IMPORTANT:
- To attend the full workshop, we recommend arriving at least one day before the start of the workshop (June 1).
- Sunday, June 1st, there will be an icebreaker event for all attendees in Sidney starting at 6 pm (further details TBD).
- The workshop will conclude Friday, June 6th, at 4 pm.
Getting to Sidney:
The fastest route from YYJ to Sidney (or from YYJ to the workshop venue) is by taxi or Uber (~10 minutes). Taxis are available outside the airport.
If arriving by air, the nearest airport is Victoria International Airport (YYJ), located nearby Sidney. This airport is relatively small, and most air travellers will need to connect through at least one other airport, such as Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or others.
From Vancouver, BC, Canada, it is possible to arrive by ferry (route is from Vancouver (Tsawwassen ferry terminal) to Victoria (Swartz Bay ferry terminal) https://www.bcferries.com/). Taxi, rideshare, or public transportation would be required from Vancouver to Tsawwassen ferry terminal, and from Swartz Bay ferry terminal to Sidney.
Determine What Travel Documents are Required to Travel to Canada:
https://www.ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
This online tool asks a series of questions to determine what type of documentation is required of someone to travel to Canada based on their individual circumstances. Most travellers will need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) document (not both). Some travellers may require only a valid identity document, such as a valid passport.
Visitor Visas:
More information on visitor visas, and how to apply, is available at the website: Visitor visa: About the document - Canada.ca
- The visa application fee is $100 CAD.
- If you need to submit a letter of invitation with your visa application documents, please let us know.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA):
More information on eTA documents, and how to apply, is available at the websites:
Electronic travel authorization (eTA) - Canada.ca
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html
- Application for an eTA costs $7 CAD.
- The processing time is indicated to usually take a few minutes, or up to a few days – the website indicates you should apply for an eTA before you book your flight. Therefore, allow sufficient time to apply for the eTA.
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS:
The following hotels are a selection in Sidney, BC, near the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS), where the workshop will be held. A shuttle service from these hotels to IOS and return will be provided during the workshop in the early morning and late afternoon. There are other hotels available in the area, including many in downtown Victoria, but the drive from downtown Victoria to IOS is about 45 minutes and no shuttle service is planned from downtown Victoria. Some of these hotels are offering a block of reserved rooms at a reduced rate for workshop participants. Before booking, please refer to your abstract acceptance or registration confirmation email for additional information about rates and any applicable codes or booking links.
Days Inn; phone +1 250 656 1176
(if using the booking code sent with your abstract acceptance or registration confirmation, please call the hotel directly to ensure the code is correctly applied when booking)
Best Western Plus Emerald Isle; phone +1 250 656 4441
Sidney Waterfront Inns and Suites; phone +1 888 656 1131
Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa; phone +1 250 655 9445
(if using the booking code sent with your abstract acceptance or registration confirmation, please call the hotel directly to ensure the code is correctly applied when booking)
Beacon Inn; phone +1 250 655 3288
Virtual Participation
To expand the reach and scope of the workshop, a virtual participation option will be offered by streaming of the lectures (free of charge). The organizing committee is also considering additional means by which virtual participants may engage (e.g., Gather.town). Instructions for how to participate virtually will be made available in early 2025.
Organizers:
Thomas James (Geological Survey of Canada and University of Victoria, Canada)
Stephanie Sherman (née Konfal) (Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, Ohio State University, USA)
Karen Simon (Canadian Geodetic Survey, Canada)
Rebekka Steffen (Lantmäteriet, Sweden)
Scientific Committee:
Lambert Caron (Caltech/JPL, US)
Jeff Freymueller (Michigan State University, US)
Franck Ghomsi (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
Natalya Gomez (McGill University, Canada)
Thomas James (Geological Survey of Canada and University of Victoria, Canada)
Volker Klemann (GFZ Potsdam, Germany)
Stephanie Sherman (née Konfal) (Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, Ohio State University, US)
Andrew Lloyd (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, US)
Glenn Milne (University of Ottawa, Canada)
Grace Nield (Durham University, UK)
Jun’ichi Okuno (National Institute of Polar Research, Japan)
Tamara Pico (UC Santa Cruz, US)
Juliet Sefton (The University of Melbourne, Australia)
Karen Simon (Canadian Geodetic Survey, Canada)
Rebekka Steffen (Lantmäteriet, Sweden)
Lev Tarasov (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada)
Matthias Willen (TU Dresden, Germany)
Maryam Yousefi (Canadian Geodetic Survey, Canada)
Code of Conduct:
The workshop will follow the Code of Conduct of The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) and their anti-harassment guidelines. The full policy details can be viewed HERE.