GSA International

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.

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

Follow Alan Fryar's 2024-2025 Thompson Lecture Tour in India, Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan

Alan Fryar (University of Kentucky) shares highlights from his 2024–25 Thompson Lecture Tour, beginning in India where he engaged with students and researchers at top institutions while exploring the country’s diverse landscapes and cultures, and continuing on to Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan, where he lectured at leading universities, reconnected with long-time colleagues, conducted spring-water fieldwork, and experienced the region’s rich history and hospitality.

Read his blog to discover the science, stories, and connections that made this journey unforgettable.

Tour Blog #1

Tour Blog #2

GSA 2026 Cordilleran Section Meeting to be Held in Mexico

The Geological Society of America is pleased to announce that the 2026 Cordilleran Section Meeting will take place 21–24 April 2026 in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The meeting will bring together geoscientists at all career stages, with strong participation expected from institutions across the region. The program will include technical sessions, field trips, and short courses highlighting diverse areas of geoscience research and professional development.

Visit the meeting website for complete information on technical sessions, field trips, short courses, and additional resources: Link 

For more information, please contact General Chair Raquel Negrete-Aranda (rnegrete@cicese.mx) or Field Trips Co-Chair Scott Bennett (sekbennett@usgs.gov).

GSAI Newsletter

The latest issue of the GSA International Newsletter highlights global partnerships, international programs, webinars, travel grants, and opportunities supporting collaboration and engagement across the worldwide geoscience community.

Read the latest GSAI newsletter (February 2026)
Read the Q4 GSAI newsletter (October 2025)
Read the Q3 GSAI newsletter (July 2025)
Read the Q2 GSAI newsletter (April 2025)

Stay Updated—Subscribe!

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To explore past GSAI newsletters from 2025 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

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

Maria Rose 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 Rose currently serves as Vice President of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and Editor-in-Chief of Cretaceous Research.

Read more about Maria Rose Petrizzo

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

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

On January 13, GSA International hosted a webinar designed to support international students and early-career scientists navigating the scientific publishing process. The session brought together experienced editors and researchers who shared practical, experience-based guidance on how to strengthen scientific writing, understand editorial and reviewer expectations, and avoid common pitfalls that can delay or prevent manuscript acceptance.

The webinar featured Abhijit Mukherjee, Christian Koeberl, and Cary Cosper, who drew on their experience as authors, reviewers, editors, and publication professionals. The discussion emphasized responsible and transparent publishing practices, including how to understand and respond to reviewer expectations, key considerations for first-time authors, and the importance of proper citation.

View the recording

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

Celebrating Past Work of GSAI

GSA International and the dedicated members supporting it have been strengthening the Society through global activity for decades. Read about some of these accomplishments below.

•  GSA co-organized a joint webinar with the Geological Society of Nigeria on “International Opportunities and Career Pathways for Geoscientists,”
•  Webinar - Energy Transition I: Geothermal Energy
• GSA and GSoI Collaboration: Addressing Key Geoscience Challenges
• Reflections on the 2013 GSC-GSA ‘Roof of the World’ China Meeting and Chengdu
• A Memorable Gathering of Geoscientists hosted by the GSA International Section
• Rezina Shams – The First Known Woman Geologist from Dhaka University (Bangladesh) to Obtain a PhD
• 2014 GSA Distinguished International Lecturer – Dr. Marjorie A. Chan
• 22 May: Greetings from Yangtze – 2014 GSA Distinguished International Lecture Tour
• 22 February: Dispatch from Hyderabad – 2014 GSA Distinguished International Lecture Tour

Contact Us

Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to us! We're here to help.

gsa_international@geosociety.org