Postgraduate Masterclasses

The BSRG postgraduate representatives are excited to announce our new masterclass workshop series. This will be a series of skills-based masterclasses aimed to broaden the skill set of postgraduate researchers and early career scientists. Workshops and training sessions will be hosted by academic experts and industry leaders in pure and applied sedimentology. These masterclasses are aimed at postgraduate researchers, but all are welcome!

Upcoming Masterclasses

Stratigraphic Tools and Techniques

Stratigraphic Tools and Techniques: Applications and Limitations presented by Gary Nichols.

Date: Thursday 24th September 2026
Location: Microsoft Teams

This workshop will provide an overview of how techniques such as chemostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and isotopic analyses can be used alongside lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy and chronostratigraphy and the circumstances in which any of them can be applied. Examples of applications include use of magnetostratigraphy to determine rates of depositional processes, integration of direct radiometric dating of beds with sequence stratigraphy and use of chemostratigraphic techniques in unfossiliferous successions.

The workshop is timetabled for half a day with a 15 minute break.

In this workshop we will discuss the questions:

What tools can you use to place a sedimentary succession in a stratigraphic framework or correlate between successions?
Under what circumstances can radiometric methods be deployed to provide an absolute age?
What is the resolution of different techniques and how can they be used in conjunction with each other?

A stratigraphic analysis can be carried out on sedimentary rocks, it is just a matter of determining which are the best tools to use.

Please contact the organising BSRG PGR representatives with any queries: rose.bainbridge@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk and Skye: st4036@hw.ac.uk.

Future workshops will include topics such as:

Virtual geosciences
Geostatistics for geologists
Critical minerals and the energy transition
Diagenesis and CCS applications

If you are interested in organising a masterclass please contact one of the postgraduate representatives: rose.bainbridge@manchester.ac.uk, drew.brown@manchester.ac.uk, st4036@hw.ac.uk or jennifer.hewitt@bangor.ac.uk

Core Logging and CoreCAD

An introduction to core logging and exploration of its applications presented by Peter Gutteridge, Visiting Lecturer University of Manchester

Date: Postponed (future date TBD)
Location: Microsoft Teams

This workshop focuses on the description of carbonates, clastics and evaporites in core and will explore how CoreCAD can be used to create high-quality core logs. CoreCAD is an industry standard software that displays digital core descriptions in a realistic manner. We will discuss the practicality of core logging, and the different types of observations and data collected during core logging. The workshop includes a demonstration of input to CoreCAD showing different examples of core log styles used for different sedimentary facies.

The workshop is timetabled for half a day in two sessions with a 15 minute break. The agenda is as follows:

Introduction to CoreCAD software including core log format and formatting.
Input of depth, grain-size, Dunham Classification, lithology, sedimentary structures, grain types, boundaries, integrating thin section data, structural data.
Dealing with core quality, recognising geological and non-geological structures in core.
Core logging from photographs.
Workflow recommendations.

Examples of core logs, blank logging sheets and training manuals will be made available on a shared site to those who register.

Please contact the organising BSRG PGS representatives with any queries: rose.bainbridge@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk and drew.brown@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk.

Previous Masterclasses, Workshops and Training Courses

We would like to thank all previous workshop organisers and host institutions. If you are interested in hosting a masterclass in the future then please contact our postgraduate representatives.

12 February 2026: Carbon capture and storage virtual workshop - led by Dr Jon Noad

9 November 2023: Recipe for a good scientific illustration virtual workshop - led by Dr. Charlotte Priddy
31 August - 1 September 2023: Coding, modelling and plotting your data - hosted at the University of Liverpool
10 May 2023: Industry panel and CV virtual event
25 November 2022: Recipe for a successful poster presentation virtual workshop
21 - 22 September 2022: Marine sediment core workshop - hosted at BOSCORF at NOC Southampton
28 October and 17 November 2021: Panel Discussions: How to navigate through your PhD - organised by Marijke de Vet, University of Hull
26 May 2021: How to network online - organised by Dr Catherine Russell, University of Leicester
26 - 27 May 2021: Cryogenian glaciation, the extraordinary Port Askaig record and its comparators (virtual)
15 March 2021: Plastics in the Environment 2021 - hosted at The Geological Society
9 and 11 November 2020: How to write a scientific paper (virtual) - led by Dr Mike Clare
11 - 12 March 2020: An introduction to stratigraphic forward modelling - hosted at the University of Liverpool
17 - 19 February 2020: Palynological applications to sedimentology workshop
8 - 10 September 2017: Core workshop, from core to depositional environments in deep-marine systems
5 - 6 December 2015: Petrophysics short course - hosted at the University of Leicester
7 - 9 November 2015 - Field Safety Leadership Course - hosted at Eastbourne
11 - 12 September 2015: Ichnofabric workshop - hosted at University of Manchester
14 - 15 June 2014: Seismic interpretation workshop - hosted at Imperial College London
9 - 10 May 2014: Core workshop and field day, the ultimate carbonate experience - hosted at the British Geological Survey, Keyworth and Wirksworth
21 - 23 March 2013: Deep-water core workshop and field trip - hosted at the British Geological Survey, Keyworth and Castleton, Derbyshire
30 March 2009: Core workshop at the 7th Petroleum Geology Conference - hosted at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London
26 February 2008: Applied ichnology short course, joint with AAPG - hosted at Imperial College, London
26 June 2007: Petrel course in reservoir modelling and the visualisation of geological data - hosted at Imperial College, London
25 May 2004: Contaminated sediments workshop - Manchester Metropolitan University
08 June 2003: Field meeting on alluvial fans joint with BGRG - Sorbas, Almeria, SE Spain
19 May 2003: Wireline log interpretation workshop - hosted at University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
06 January 2003: Core workshop - DTI/BGS Core Store, Edinburgh

Recording of CCS workshop