UNAVCO and IRIS
Joining Forces for Advancing Geophysics
Beginning in 2019, UNAVCO and IRIS began discussions focused on how both organizations can collectively work together to further advance geophysics support for the community. As our science becomes more convergent, there is benefit to examining how we can support research and education as a single organization. Following initial discussions, the UNAVCO and IRIS Boards reached consensus that the joining of UNAVCO and IRIS is the best option for the research community to continue to conduct and advance cutting-edge geophysics. The planned merged entity will be called EarthScope Consortium.
EarthScope Consortium Mission:
The EarthScope Consortium is a university consortium dedicated to transforming global geophysical research and education.
and vision:
An engaged society, resilient to geohazards, informed by geophysical discovery and global collaboration.
The task of joining IRIS and UNAVCO operations is a complicated and fluid process. We will post material on this page throughout the process as it is available, which means that information may change often in both big and small ways. Additional information is shared with the community via respective UNAVCO and IRIS email listservs.
August 8, 2022 Board election announcement
The first official action of the EarthScope Consortium will be to elect its first Board of Directors following the first-year board selection process in our EarthScope Bylaws.
EarthScope Consortium Member Representatives have a pivotal role in this official process—electing 8 board members. The full board of 12 community members will consist of these elected members, plus two individuals from each of the current IRIS and UNAVCO Boards that were selected this summer by those boards. These four Board transferring members will be: Jeff Freymueller, Leigh Stearns, Anne Sheehan, and Brandon Schmandt, each appointed to a 1-year term.
This is an important opportunity to shape the EarthScope Consortium for the coming years to best serve the mission and vision of our new community-governed organization: The EarthScope Consortium is a university consortium dedicated to transforming global geophysical research and education with a vision of an engaged society, resilient to geohazards, informed by geophysical discovery and global collaboration.
EarthScope Board election ballots will arrive via email on Monday, August 8, and the election will close on September 9.
The IRIS and UNAVCO Boards
Rick Aster
Adrian Borsa
Roland Bürgmann
Jackie Caplan-Auerbach
Brendan Crowell
Jeff Freymueller
Gareth Funning
Ronni Grapenthin
Sarah Kruse
Brandon Schmandt
Anne Sheehan
Leigh Stearns
Anne Trehu
Victor Tsai
Tonie Van Dam
Lara Wagner
Phil Wannamaker
Pippa Whitehouse