ANZIC Marine Geoscience Masterclass 2025
Climate & environmental influences on carbon cycling in Fiordland, New Zealand.
Applications Now Open
for an unforgettable field & lab experience!
Join us for the 2025 ANZIC Marine Geoscience Masterclass, a unique field and lab opportunity to investigate climate and environmental influences on carbon cycling in the stunning fjords of Fiordland, New Zealand. Hosted by the University of Otago, this 12-day immersive program from December 1-12 combines hands-on fieldwork in Doubtful Sound with cutting-edge laboratory analysis at the Otago Repository for Core Analysis (ORCA).
This world-first ICDP and IODP-focused ANZIC Masterclass directly supports the Fjords as Archives of Climate and Environmental Transitions (FACET) initiative, an ICDP proposal to drill New Zealand’s fjord basins and unlock their secrets of carbon cycling and climate change. This Masterclass is designed to simulate a shipboard and laboratory experience, preparing you for future ICDP and IODP opportunities.
Program highlights
On-board research experience
Spend three days aboard the University of Otago’s RV Polaris II in breathtaking Doubtful Sound, a prime FACET drilling target. Deploy advanced tools — seismic systems, CTD rosettes, and sediment sampling devices (ponar grab, multicorer, gravity corer, piston corer) — to collect seismic data, water column profiles, and sediment samples. Collaborate with peers to develop cruise plans, explore fjord circulation, and hypothesise how climate change impacts carbon burial.
Master IODP and ICDP techniques
Back at the University of Otago, split, describe and process your sediment cores over three days using IODP-standard methods, including non-destructive core scanning on ORCA’s Geotek multi-sensor core loggers and Itrax XRF scanner. Analyse sediment composition, density, and elemental profiles to test your field hypotheses.
Synthesise and present
On the final day, integrate field and lab results to uncover insights into past environmental conditions and carbon sequestration processes. Present your findings in group discussions, honing your leadership and communication skills.
Career-building opportunities
Develop technical expertise, foster teamwork, and network with leading scientists, including course leaders Chris Moy, Christina Riesselman, and Andrew Gorman, who bring over 45 years of combined experience in marine geology and geophysics.
Who should apply?
ANZIC welcomes applications from undergraduate and postgraduate students actively enrolled in Earth sciences, geology, geophysics, marine science, or related fields at a recognised academic institution. Active student status is mandatory for the duration of the ANZIC Masterclass due to insurance requirements for participation in fieldwork and laboratory activities.
No prior experience with marine geology or IODP/ICDP techniques is required, just a passion for learning and collaboration! The program’s student-led fieldwork approach ensures all participants gain practical skills and confidence in a supportive environment.
ANZIC prioritises undergraduates for its Masterclass to build a robust talent pipeline for marine geoscience research, ignite a lifelong dedication to geoscience, and pave the way for advanced research careers. By granting undergraduates access to multi-institute networks and cutting-edge techniques, such as seismic surveying and IODP-standard core analysis, ANZIC addresses regional expertise gaps and champions student-led learning.
A select number of postgraduates will also be considered to enrich the cohort with diverse perspectives and advanced insights, enhancing collaborative learning. This mix works because undergraduates bring fresh enthusiasm and openness to exploration, while postgraduates contribute deeper theoretical knowledge and mentorship, creating a dynamic environment that strengthens leadership and networking.
The Masterclass will primarily comprise students from ANZIC member institutions, with select spots reserved for other Australian and New Zealand institutes and international applicants.
Where? When?
Dates: December 1-12, 2025.
Location: Fiordland and Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand.
Course conveners: Chris Moy, Christina Riesselman and Andrew Gorman (University of Otago).
How to Apply
Submit your application via our Smartygrants portal by 30 June, 2025.
The application will include an academic transcript, an academic reference contact from your institute, and a 500-word statement outlining your interest in marine geoscience and how this Masterclass aligns with your career goals.
Past participants raved about their experience in the 2016 Doubtful Sound field school:
What’s included
Students from Australian & New Zealand Universities
You will need to ensure that you have insurance from your home institution. For successful applicants, ANZIC provides:
Travel
All travel, including airfares to Queenstown, transfers to Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound, then to Dunedin, and return flights.
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Deep Cove Hostel (Doubtful Sound) and a University of Otago residential college (Dunedin)
Meals
Almost all meals are provided. Some meals you will need to purchase and then claim a reimbursement.
Learning
All course fees, workshops, and expert presentations are included.
Other countries
International sponsorship is available from our scientific ocean drilling partners.
Pacific Islands: Contact the ANZIC Coordinator for details.
Europe: ECORD provides scholarships for early career researchers from ECORD member countries . Applications should be sent to the ESSAC Office. See details on how to apply under ‘Get a Scholarship’.
Japan, USA, India and China: To be confirmed.
Draft itinerary
December 1: Arrive in Queenstown, enjoy a welcome dinner and get to know your cohort.
December 2-5: Fieldwork in Doubtful Sound, including three days on RV Polaris II and shore-based excursions.
December 6-10: Lab work at ORCA in Dunedin, processing samples and analysing data. Includes a half-day wildlife tour on December 7.
December 11: Group presentations and synthesis discussions, followed by a celebratory dinner.
December 12: Depart from Dunedin airport.
