Geo-INQUIRE Sicily Summer School 2025 - Novel technologies and observing systems for geohazard and environmental monitoring: integrated approach of the Eastern Sicily test bed
16-23 October 2025
Website:
Theme: Novel technologies and observing systems for geohazard and environmental monitoring: integrated approach of the Eastern Sicily test bed
Geo-INQUIRE is offering a summer school in the Eastern Sicily Test Bed (Italy) for PhD Students, PostDocs and Early Career Scientists from the fields of Solid Earth and Ocean and their interface. The school will last one week, including four days of lectures and hands-on activities integrated with two one-day field trips to visit the INFN – EMSO marine infrastructure at Capo Passero and the volcanic features and the INGV - EPOS facilities at Mt. Etna. The school will take place in Malavoglia Hotel in Acitrezza (https://www.hotelmalavoglia.it/) from 16th to 23nd October 2025.
This summer school is based on the “Eastern Sicily Test Bed” infrastructure offered in the framework of the Geo-INQUIRE project. The infrastructure is cross-disciplinary by nature and embraces the Western Ionian EMSO-ERIC node, the KM3NeT underwater neutrino telescope, and the INGV multiparametric volcano monitoring system providing scientific services to EPOS.
Eastern Sicily is a unique natural laboratory to study and monitor geological hazards and marine environments. Mt. Etna volcano is one of the most monitored worldwide and offers the opportunity to collect a wide spectrum of geophysical and geochemical data related to the current continuous activity. Western Ionian Sea is a privileged site for investigating water circulation in the Mediterranean Sea, trophic chain and migratory routes of oceanic fauna and in particular cetaceans.
The school will be focused on the new technologies used in environmental, Earth Science and Oceanic studies. In particular, theoretical and practical use of the fibre optic sensing to study the strain in the wide spectrum will be presented, together with some cutting edge techniques used in volcanology and environmental studies. There also foreseen cross fertilization activities between the two domains (Earth Science and Marine science).
Financials:
For successful applicants the school will cover the following expenses: hotel accommodation, transport to/from Catania international airport, welcome reception, meals, coffee breaks, conference dinner, field trips and conference material. Attendees will have to book tickets to Catania and pay in advance. After successful participation, travel costs could be reimbursed up to a maximum of 500 €.
Logistics:
- Hotel:
The hotel only offers double rooms with single beds, so participants (of the same gender) will have to share rooms.
- Transportation to/from the venue:
Transfer from Catania international airport on Thursday, October 16th are organized by the hotel; attendants must inform the organization of the school early in advance about the flight number and the time of their arrival.
Transfer to Catania international airport on Thursday October 23nd are organized by the hotel; attendants must inform the organization of the school early in advance about the flight number and the time of their departure
Requirements:
The applicants to the school should have strong interest in Earth and Marine Sciences, or in general physics, engineering and ICT applied to environmental studies. Programming skills, computing knowledge and user level Linux skills will be positively considered during the applicants’ evaluation. Students will have to bring their own laptops. The school lectures will be given in English.
Application:
All applications will have to provide a motivation letter. Successful candidates will have to provide abstracts through the Indico platform and bring a printed poster to the school to present their work. Please apply here: https://agenda.infn.it/event/44081/ .
If you have special dietary requirements or need special assistance please get in touch with the organizers (TBD ). Please also get in touch if you need help to apply for a visa.
Timeline:
01.03.2025: Opening of the Registrations
06.05.2025: Close of the Registrations (23:59 CEST)
31.05.2025: Notification to applicants
30.06.2025: Abstracts due (in Indico) and confirmation of attendance (with date and number of the flights).
Geo-INQUIRE promotes diversity and inclusion within the scope of the project.
Geo-INQUIRE is funded by the European Commission under project number 101058518 within the HORIZON-INFRA-2021-SERV-01 call. Terms and Conditions for participants in Geo-INQUIRE activities: https://www.geo-inquire.eu/about/terms-and-conditions
