Program Overview

Introduction to the Summer School on Earth Surface Dynamics

The Summer School on Earth Surface Dynamics is a comprehensive program designed for doctoral students in geosciences, environmental sciences, and related fields. The program aims to improve participants' skills in understanding the complex interaction of processes shaping the Earth's surface at different temporal and spatial scales.

Program Overview

The summer school consists of two consecutive sessions, each comprising three modules. The first set of modules focuses on types of signals and noise commonly encountered at the Earth's surface, and methods of acquiring, processing, and analyzing data with non-destructive physical surveying methods. The second set of modules examines and models the processes underlying the data collected at the Earth's surface.

Session 1

Session 1 takes place from 20 May to 10 June 2018 and includes the following modules:

• Signals and Noise at the Earth's Surface: 20-27 May 2018, led by apl. Professor Trauth and Doctor Berner
• Exploring the Shallow Subsurface of the Earth: 27 May-3 June 2018, led by Professor Tronicke
• Remote Sensing of Earth Surface Processes: 3-10 June 2018, led by Professor Bookhagen

Session 2

Session 2 takes place from 12 August to 2 September 2018 and includes the following modules:

• Modeling of Surface and Subsurface Processes: 12-19 August 2018, led by Professor Holzbecher
• Geoinformation Systems of the Earth's Surface: 19-26 August 2018, led by Doctor Zeilinger
• Extreme Events, Geohazards and Georisk: 26 August-2 September 2018, led by Doctor Schwanghart

Additional Components

During both sessions, participants will also engage in:

• Communicating Science: led by Doctor Foerster, Professor Asrat, and Professor Maslin
• Earth Surface Processes Field Excursions: led by all instructors

Instructors

The summer school is led by a team of experienced instructors, including:

• apl. Professor Dr. Martin H. Trauth, University of Potsdam
• Prof. Dr. Asfawossen Asrat, University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Dr. Nadine Berner, Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) gGmbH, Germany
• Prof. Dr. Bodo Bookhagen, University of Potsdam, Germany, and UC Santa Barbara, USA
• Prof. Dr. Ekkehard Holzbecher, German University of Technology, Oman
• Dr. Verena Foerster, University of Köln, Germany
• Prof. Dr. Mark Maslin, University College London, UK
• Prof. Dr. Jens Tronicke, University of Potsdam, Germany
• Dr. Wolfgang Schwanghart, University of Potsdam, Germany
• Dr. Gerold Zeilinger, University of Potsdam, Germany

Requirements and Applications

To be eligible for the summer school, applicants must:

• Hold an M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in geosciences or a related field
• Be currently participating in a doctoral program at an internationally recognized university
• Submit a covering letter, a single-page statement of motivation, a letter of recommendation from their doctoral supervisor, and a copy of their master's certificate

Fellowship and Support

The summer school fellowship covers all costs for transportation, accommodation, and meals during the summer school. Full or partial support for travel expenses to/from Potsdam will be granted according to necessity. However, the fellowship does not cover costs for a computer laptop, hiking boots and clothing, and insurance and medical costs. No daily allowance will be paid.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file by email to the director of the summer school before 1 October 2017.