Open doors in the Open Day of the Earth Surface Processes Group

On the 5th of April, the doors of IDL’s Library were open to everyone who wanted to join the Open Day of the Earth Surface Processes group. A series of speed talks by different members of the group: senior researchers, PhD students and Post-doc researchers took place. The relaxed atmosphere fostered the discussion and the interaction between the audience and the speakers.This day represented a unique chance to know more about the research done by the group and to promote the interaction between, not only the members of the Earth Surface Processes group, but also all the members of IDL

Images on IDL's portfolio.

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Mário Cachão and Pedro Costa have answered some questions about the organization of this event.IDL - What has motivated you to organize the Open Day of the Earth Surface Processes Group?The Earth Surface Processes Group covers a wide range of expertise from Sedimentology to Palaeontology, from Engineering geology to Remote sensing, from Coastal processes to Hydrology. The idea behind the Open Day is to create a platform to facilitate information exchange inside the group and to promote internal coherence and synergies.In addition, new members (mainly lecturers and post-docs) and new young researchers (PhD and Msc students) are always interchanging which means that the scientific reality of the group is changing on a yearly basis. The Open Day gave to all an opportunity to present their research work lines and main scientific questions being addressed.IDL - Was this the first time the group organized such an event?Yes, this was the first time an Open Day was organized inside the newly formed Research Group 2 – Earth Surface Processes.IDL - What has been so far the feedback of the participants?Despite their very busy schedule, mainly due to teaching obligations, the vast majority of RG2 members attended and presented their work. Several members expressed a very positive opinion about the event. All shared a general feeling of having learned a bit more about each one’s research or outreach-related activities.IDL - What went well? What would have you done differently?The presentations followed the general guides for this Open Day and overall the tight schedule was followed. After many interesting presentations and some discussion the Open Day "only" ended with a delay of one hour. The program had to be adjusted and the programmed tour by the laboratorial facilities of the group could not be performed. Something to be done later this semester.Some people complained for not having coffee breaks so next time some additional logistics have to be considered.IDL - Are you planning on repeating the event in the coming years?Yes, there are already some ideas flowing inside the group in respect to the format for the next year's event. The Open Day was a good starting point for other actions, collaborations and synergies that will occur in the near-future.

Video about the research of the Earth Surface Processes GroupFacebook page of the Earth Surface Processes Group