GSA International

GSA International logo

The purpose of GSA International is to promote, create, and enhance opportunities for international cooperation, provide a forum for science and policy discussions that are international in scope and relevance, build collaborative relationships with GSA Divisions and Associated Societies on international issues, and strengthen cooperation with international geoscientific societies.

International provides a communication platform for GSA members and promotes international relevant discussions around global geoscience hot topics, meetings, and GSA global activities.

International encourages and hosts international geoscience and environmental-related discussion topics through the Connected Community platform and promotes meetings, exchanges of visiting scholars/lecturers, organizes Annual Meeting topical sessions, and helps organize and promote field workshops.

Serving members in 99 countries, GSA programs unite the global science community in shaping the future of the Earth sciences. Wherever you live or work, GSA invites you to become involved by joining our network.

Fuel the Present

Contribute to GSA International's current initiatives.

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To join International and pay dues, please contact Member & Customer Service at gsaservice@geosociety.org or +1-800-472-1988.

Earn Your Geology Without Borders Certification at Connects 2025

This year, GSA Connects offers a new way to showcase professional growth: the Geology Without Borders Certification.

Designed to emphasize the global exchange of geoscience knowledge, this certification allows participants to transform their conference experience into a recognized credential. By engaging in selected sessions, short courses, field trips, and other activities tied to the Geology Without Border theme, participants receive formal recognition for their efforts.

What You'll Gain

  • A certificate for inclusion in a CV
  • A digital badge for LinkedIn or other platforms
  • A visible designation on your Connects 2025 conference badge

Geology Without Borders certification program flyer

GSA 2026 Cordilleran Section Meeting to be Held in Mexico

We are happy to share that the next Cordilleran Section meeting will take place 21-24 April 2026 in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. We expect great participation from scientists at all career stages and strong presence by institutions from both sides of the border. We will be sharing more information about sessions, field trips, and workshop proposal submissions in the near future. For more information, please contact General Chair Raquel Negrete-Aranda (rnegrete@cicese.mx) and/or Field Trips Co-Chair Scott Bennett (sekbennett@usgs.gov).

Geology Without Borders: Thematic Sessions at GSA Connects 2025

At GSA Connects 2025, the theme Geology Without Borders takes center stage, celebrating how geoscience unites discoveries and tackles challenges across the globe. 

GSA International (GSAI) plays a key role in shaping the conversation, endorsing a record 22 sessions and 2 Pardee symposia that highlight the power of cross-border partnerships.

View the Full List of sessions under the theme ‘Geology without Borders’

View the Full List of GSAI Endorsed Sessions 

Interested in learning more? Come say Hello! (Or Hola! Hallo! Namaste! Olá!) at the international booth/table during Connects 2025.

We invite you to explore these sessions, submit your abstract, and present at GSA Connects 2025.

GSAI Newsletter

A newsletter cover.

The latest issue of the GSA International Newsletter is packed with exciting updates and opportunities for our global community. From GSA's support for international events and the update on The Geology of Plate Tectonics Chart (3rd Edition) to exclusive opportunities for GSA members, GSA continues to build bridges across the global geoscience community.

Read the latest GSAI newsletter (October 2025)
Read the Q3 GSAI newsletter (July 2025)
Read the Q2 GSAI newsletter (April 2025)
Read the Q1 GSAI newsletter (January 2025)

 

Stay Updated—Subscribe!

 

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To explore past GSAI newsletters from 2024 and beyond, visit our Past Newsletters Archive.

GSA James B. Thompson, Jr., Distinguished International Lecturers

The award is made possible through a gift to the GSA Foundation by James B. Thompson, Jr., whose bequest contributed to the endowment of two lecture tours by distinguished geologists, one a non-North American scientist to tour academic and related institutions within North America, and the other a North American scientist to tour foreign universities and geological institutions. Both tours are arranged under the guidance of GSA International.

Maria Rose Petrizzo, Inbound James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lecturer, 2025–2026

Closeup of Maria Petrizzo

Professor Maria Rose Petrizzo is the Inbound James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lecturer for 2025–2026.

Maria Petrizzo is a Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Milan, Italy. A specialist in micropaleontology and stratigraphy, her research focuses on planktonic foraminifera and their response to past climate and environmental changes, with applications to refining the Geological Time Scale.

She has participated in international drilling programs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed papers. Maria currently serves as Vice President of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and Editor-in-Chief of Cretaceous Research.

Read more about Maria Petrizzo

Kathleen Benison, Outbound James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lecturer, 2025–2026

Closeup of Kathleen Benison

Professor Kathleen Benison is the Outbound James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lecturer for 2025–2026.

Kathleen (Kathy) Benison is a Professor of Geology at West Virginia University. A sedimentary geologist and educator, she studies the geology, geochemistry, and microbiology of salt minerals, particularly those forming in acid salt lakes. Her research uses fluid inclusions in halite and gypsum to reconstruct ancient environments, climates, and potential habitats for life on Earth and Mars.

She has served as a Return Sample Selection–Participating Scientist for NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission, a Science Editor for Geology, and is a Fellow of both the Geological Society of America and The Explorers Club.

Read more about Kathleen Benison

About the Award, Tour Dates, and How to Nominate

Learn More

Webinars

EXPLORING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: A Collaborative Webinar by The Geological Society of America (GSA) and the Geological Society of Africa (GSAf)

On 12 December, GSA and GSAf co-organized an engaging webinar, Energy Transition I: Geothermal Energy, featuring:

Dr. David T. Wang (Technology Manager, U.S. Department of Energy), who discussed the science and potential of geothermal energy, with a focus on its market potential and current R&D priorities at the Department of Energy.

Dr. Isaack Kanda (Chief Geochemist, Geothermal Development Corporation, Kenya), who presented a case study from Kenya, emphasizing insights from the African perspective and strategies to overcome barriers to implementation.

The webinar, which attracted over 200 registrants from 32 countries, emphasized the global importance of geothermal energy in driving sustainable energy transitions.

Joint Webinar by GSA and GSN: "International Opportunities and Career Pathways for Geoscientists"

A presentation slide shows some text and the logos for the Geological Society of Nigeria and the Geological Society of America.

The Geological Society of America (GSA) and the Geological Society of Nigeria (GSN) are pleased to present a joint webinar on "International Opportunities and Career Pathways for Geoscientists."

Date: July 1st
Moderator: Ms. Amira Adamu Waziri, Founder of Bogaru Labs
Panelists:

  • Dr. Chioma Onwumelu, GEOGROUP, University of North Dakota, USA
  • Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo, CEO of Georgette Barnes Limited
  • Makoji Aduku, Onshore Frontiers Limited
  • Dr. Aminu Isyaku, Head of the Department of Geology and Mining, University of Abuja

This collaborative event provided valuable insights into career advancement strategies and emerging industry trends in geoscience. Attendees enjoyed an enriching discussion and gained practical knowledge to navigate the evolving geoscience job market.

View the recording
Download the slides