University takes the helm of global scientific drilling research programme

Academics from ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ have assumed leadership of the International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) Science Office
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University takes the helm of global scientific drilling research programme

Academics from ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ have assumed leadership of the International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) Science Office
The ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will lead the central scientific body at the heart of a global research initiative that aims to unlock some of the secrets hidden beneath the worldÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s seafloor.
The International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) is a research collaboration that explores EarthÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s history and dynamics through ocean-going research expeditions.
Bringing together partners from at least 16 countries, it collects rock and sediment samples from some of the planetÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s most remote locations, which are then used by scientists to gain a better understanding of EarthÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s evolution.
Professor Tony Morris has been appointed as the Lead Director of the IODP3 Science Office for at least the next five years, and will work in collaboration with Dr Nobu Eguchi (JAMSTEC, Japan) as Co-Director. 
The Science Office, supported by funding of around €4million, acts as the single interface for scientists around the world wishing to engage with the programme, and is responsible for coordinating the submission and evaluation of all applications to participate in IODP3 and all scientific drilling proposals submitted to the programme by the international marine science community. It also takes charge of all IODP3 publications.

This is the worldÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s largest international Earth sciences research programme, and it is fantastic that the University will now be at its centre and playing a lead role in its future.

Over many years, IODP expeditions ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ and the samples they have collected ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ have been key in making new discoveries about EarthÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s evolution, past climate and environmental change. IODP3 aims to build on those discoveries, and encourage more people to engage with this sphere of marine science.

Tony MorrisProfessor Tony Morris
Professor in Geophysics and Geodynamics

IODP3 is the successor to the International Ocean Discovery Program, which has been running for the past decade, but can trace its heritage back to the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP), which first started operating in 1968.
In that time, hundreds of research expeditions have been mounted all over the world with thousands of scientists ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ including several from the University ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ working to collect and analyse samples from the seafloor.
The Science Office team within the University will also include three Managers with extensive marine geoscience research experience, each responsible for a key aspect of its mandate. They include Dr Jodie Fisher, the Science OfficeÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s Communications, Applications and EDI Manager, who will be exploring ways of making the research programme more accessible.

One of our key aims for coming years is to make IODP3 research more inclusive.

For people with young families, or perhaps those with physical and other disabilities, taking part in a lengthy ocean-going research expedition isnÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™t going to be possible. By running shorter expeditions, and creating other opportunities for land-based research using previous samples, we can enable more people of all career stages and abilities to engage with this cutting-edge field of scientific research. 

Jodie FisherDr Jodie Fisher
IODP Science Office Scientific Communications, Applications and EDI Manager

Dr Fisher is also joined by Dr Chiara Amadori (Proposals and Meetings Manager) and Dr Myriam Kars (Publications Manager).
 

Scientific Ocean Drilling and the ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ

The successive scientific ocean drilling programmes have enjoyed a long association with the ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ.
Over the past three decades and more, academics, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ from various Earth and marine science disciplines ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ have taken part in expeditions in most of the worldÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s oceans and seas, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans (around Antarctica) and the Mediterranean and Philippine Seas.
Its researchers have also held key roles within the IODP organisation, with Professor Morris chairing both the UK-IODP and the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling science office previously, and Dr Michelle Harris being a current member of the IODP Science Evaluation Panel.
A green cross on a black background. Beyond the plus sign project logo.
Dr Andy Parsons and colleagues on board IODP Expedition 399 JRSO IODP
Dr Andy Parsons on board an IODP expedition to Atlantis Massif
Dr Jenny Gales on a research expedition in the Antarctic
Dr Jenny Gales in the Antarctic
Dr Michelle Harris and Dr Chiara Amadori on an IODP expedition
Dr Michelle Harris and Dr Chiara Amadori on IODP expedition 393
Tony Morris and colleagues on an IODP expedition
Professor Tony Morris and colleagues on an IODP expedition
 

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