This workshop provides focused training on reconstructing the mobility patterns of Quaternary megafauna using stable isotope analyses. Participants will be introduced to isoscapes—spatial models of isotopic variation and receive hands-on training in R to generate and interpret strontium and oxygen isotope isoscapes. Geological, environmental, and climatic controls on isotope patterns will be discussed. The workshop also offers practical experience with the R package assignR to estimate geographic origins and reconstruct movement histories using real datasets from megafauna teeth and tusks. Emphasis is placed on uncertainty quantification, model validation, and robust paleoecological interpretation, contributing to the INQUA 2027 theme of Quaternary Science as Societal Services.

This workshop introduces a newly developed state-space modeling framework for testing hypotheses about environmental drivers and species interactions using long paleoecological time-series data. The focus is on multinomial count data, such as pollen or diatom records, where only relative abundances are available and classical time -series methods are unsuitable. Participants will receive hands -on training in fitting and interpreting state -space models to estimate species environment and species -species interactions. Using examples based on pollen data, the workshop emphasizes ecological interpretation and hypothesis testing. Analyses will be conducted in R; while familiarity with R is helpful, no prior expertise is required, as the focus is on conceptual understanding and application.

This hands -on workshop introduces palaeo - and archaeobotany as a field sampling approach, emphasizing why, when, and how botanical samples should be collected during excavation. Participants will learn to design effective sampling strategies, collect samples in the field, and process them using bucket and machine flotation methods suitable for different settings. The session also demonstrates basic laboratory procedures, including sample sorting and preparation. No prior knowledge or scientific background is required. Aimed at archaeologists and palaeoecologists at all career stages, the workshop highlights the importance of botanical evidence in Quaternary research and encourages routine sampling to ensure irreplaceable data are not lost during excavation.

Senior Editors for Quaternary Research , Nick Lancaster and Lewis Owen, along with Editorial Assistant Lucia Manatschal, will discuss how to write manuscripts efficiently and effectively for journal submissions to Quaternary journals. The mechanics of submitting a journal article, as well as the review and editorial processes, will be explained and discussed. We will also assist ECRs in planning how to write their first or next manuscript for submission.

Diatoms are among the most widely used biological proxies for reconstructing past environmental conditions. This workshop introduces participants to diatom taxonomy, ecology, and their relevance in Quaternary science. Through a mix of lectures and demonstrations, participants will learn the fundamentals of diatom identification, ecological interpretation, and how diatom data are applied in palaeolimnological and archaeological studies. The session will be particularly useful for early-career researchers, palaeoecologists, sedimentologists, and archaeologists interested in incorporating biological proxies into their work. No prior experience with diatoms is required, but a basic understanding of sedimentary or ecological sciences will be helpful.

The workshop seeks to generate critical thinking and skill-enhancement related to the range of methodologies used for science education in Quaternary palaeosciences. It seeks to address issues related to the best practises for awareness creation leading to sustainable conservation and ethical behaviour in interacting with the palaeoanthropological and palaeoenvironmental past.

The quaternary sedimentary record is dotted with evidence of extreme depositional environment including deoxygentation , sulfidization, methanotrophy etc. These records are often challenging to interpret and link to modern observations. We attempt here to introduce beginners to the basics of biogeochemical processes in sediment and water column and how to disentangle the pathways from the sedimentary record for better interpretations of paleoe depositional environments.

This workshop aims to build practical skills in assessing fluvial sedimentary environments, from field sampling to data analysis and interpretation. Over eight hours, participants will engage in lectures and hands-on exercises covering facies analysis of fluvial deposits, including litholog construction and application of Miall’s scheme. The workshop introduces coarse and fine grain-size analysis using statistical indices, graphical and ternary plots, and scale conversions, highlighting downstream fining and sediment transition zones. Participants will also learn methods for palaeodischarge estimation using pebble imbrication and fine-sediment principles, and explore geochemical indices to assess weathering processes and reconstruct landscape and climatic histories.

This workshop introduces scientific illustration and visualization as essential skills for making research accessible to a broad audience. Aimed at researchers at all career stages with little or no experience in digital drawing, it provides hands-on training in creating high-quality scientific vector graphics using Adobe Illustrator. Participants will learn the fundamentals of vector graphics, project setup, workspace customization, and the integration of pixel-based images. The workshop also covers working with layers, grids, and scale, along with core design principles and color theory for scientific communication. Guidance on exporting publication-ready figures will ensure participants can produce clear, visually effective graphics for presentations and journals.

This training aims to build technical and analytical skills among students and early-career researchers in Quaternary palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate studies using microfossil proxies. Participants will learn analytical techniques involving pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, palynofacies, and phytoliths to improve the accuracy and resolution of palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic reconstructions. Emphasizing a multi-proxy and interdisciplinary approach, the program aligns with INQUA’s mission of advancing global understanding of Earth’s environmental history. The training promotes methodological standardization, high-quality data generation, and regional collaboration across South Asia and beyond, contributing to global synthesis efforts and supporting societally relevant research on climate adaptation and sustainable land management.

This course provides both a conceptual introduction to age-depth modelling, and hands-on experience for participants. We will provide an introduction to the concepts of age-depth models, along with relevant examples. We will focus particularly on numerical challenges, without delving too deeply into the Bayesian implementation.The central part will be hands-on experience in age-depth modelling by participants using the statistical programming environment R. Examples will be provided, but individual participants’ datasets are likewise welcome. All participants are expected to bring a computer and install software (R and several packages to be defined) before the workshop.

The Neotoma Paleoecology Database is a global, open-access, expert-curated repository of fossil records spanning the Quaternary and Neogene periods. It provides multiple access pathways, including the Neotoma Explorer, R packages, APIs, and dataset DOIs, enabling multi-proxy analyses across space and time. This workshop focuses on intermediate use of R and Neotoma tools to investigate regional to continental-scale ecological and climate change. Participants will learn data discovery, quality control, and workflow development using the neotoma2 R package. The session also introduces the broader Neotoma data ecosystem. Participants may bring their own data or workflows for guided support.

This workshop will offer participants an in-depth introduction to the theory and practical applications of predicting species distribution in response to the future climate change. Designed for both beginners and those seeking to enhance their analytical skills, the workshop covers data collection, model selection, validation techniques, and the interpretation of results. Interactive sessions and hands -on exercises using real -world datasets will provide valuable experience in constructing predictive maps . By the end of the workshop, participants will have gained valuable skills applicable to biodiversity conservation, climate change research, and environmental management.

This workshop is designed to empower early - career scientists with essential science communication skills. It will cover best practices in science communication, data visualization, presentation design, and research leadership. Participants will learn how to effectively communicate their research to academic, policy, and public audiences. The workshop aligns with INQUA’s goal of advancing Quaternary science’s societal impact by strengthening scientists’ ability to communicate their work clearly and confidently. No prior experience in communication is required, but participants should be actively engaged in scientific research.

This workshop provides a hands -on introduction to biomarker (molecular proxy) approaches in Quaternary science, lowering the entry barrier for researchers new to organic geochemistry. Participants will learn how molecular markers such as n -alkanes, stanols, GDGTs, and PAHs are used to reconstruct past vegetation, climate, fire regimes, and human impacts. The workshop covers practical extraction methods (e.g., Soxhlet, accelerated solvent extraction, ultrasonic methods) and guides participants through real mass spectrometry data, from chromatogram interpretation to quantitative peak tables ready for R or Python analysis. Emphasis is placed on critical proxy use, reproducibility, and cross -disciplinary applications aligned with INQUA 2027 themes.

Reconstructing Holocene vegetation using quantitative analysis of pollen preserved in sediments provides critical insights into long - term ecological dynamics and improves the accuracy of Earth system and regional climate models. These reconstructions rely on relative pollen productivity (RPP), commonly estimated using extended R -value (ERV) analysis of modern pollen assemblages. However, RPP estimates are sensitive to how present -day vegetation is surveyed, making standardized and well -tested survey methods essential. This workshop addresses key assumptions and methodologies underlying pollen dispersal and deposition models, with emphasis on effective vegetation survey techniques across landscapes. It highlights the need for field -based quantitative data to improve regional climate reconstructions, understand Indian Summer Monsoon evolution, and apply the REVEALS model for vegetation mapping and modelling.

This hands -on workshop introduces INQUA delegates scientists, early -career researchers, and students to science photography and filmmaking as tools for effective science communication. Participants will learn how compelling visuals can translate complex Quaternary science into accessible stories by documenting landscapes, fieldwork, laboratory work, and environmental change. Using smartphones and digital cameras, the workshop blends basic theory with practical skills in visual composition, framing, lighting, and short video creation. Participants will also explore examples of impactful geoscience visuals and learn to create brief science stories. The workshop highlights the growing importance of visual media for public outreach, education, and science–policy engagement.

This workshop introduces advances in threedimensional scanning and modelling that are transforming Quaternary archaeological research. Participants will learn how 3D imaging and geometric morphometric analyses enable more accurate, nuanced interpretations of stone tool variability and early human behaviour, moving beyond traditional metric approaches. With a focus on South Asia’s rich but underexplored Palaeolithic heritage, the workshop highlights digital methods for virtual preservation, comparative analysis, and openaccess data sharing. Drawing on established European digital heritage projects, the session demonstrates how these techniques can be applied in South Asia to improve chronological frameworks, support heritage conservation, and integrate regional research into global Quaternary science debates.

This hands-on workshop explores the intersection of Quaternary landscapes and ethnographic fieldwork as complementary archives of cultural memory, identity, and resilience. Participants will learn how long-term environmental changes have shaped human heritage by integrating ethnography, archaeology, genealogy, and ethnoecology within Quaternary frameworks. Designed for anthropologists, archaeologists, and heritage researchers, the session offers practical tools that bridge qualitative and quantitative methods, with emphasis on heritage landscapes, kinship, and cultural ecology. Through storytelling, participatory mapping, material culture handling, and ethical field simulations, the workshop highlights how living cultural knowledge complements geological and archaeological records, advancing inclusive, community-based approaches to heritage preservation and human–environment studies.

Quaternary science and paleosciences are increasingly interdisciplinary and global, raising complex ethical challenges across cultural, institutional, and geographic boundaries. This workshop addresses ethical issues in paleoscience through case studies and participant discussion, with particular relevance to South Asia and international collaborations. Topics include gender equity and inclusivity, sexual harassment and mental health, ethical specimen and data collection, field and laboratory safety, engagement with Indigenous and local communities, authorship and data ownership, supervision ethics, funding transparency, and equitable access to resources. Designed for students, early-career researchers, and senior scientists, the workshop fosters open dialogue and practical strategies for conducting ethical, inclusive, and socially responsible Quaternary research in a globally connected scientific community.

This intensive workshop introduces participants to the applications of stable isotope geochemistry in understanding Quaternary and modern Earth system processes. Focusing on isotopes such as δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, δ²H, and δ¹⁵N, the workshop covers paleoclimate reconstruction, hydrological and monsoon variability, soil and sediment dynamics, biogeochemical cycling, and societal applications. Participants will gain theoretical grounding in isotope fractionation, hands-on exposure to sample preparation and instrumental analysis, and practical experience in data interpretation using real-world case studies. Designed for students and researchers across geosciences and allied fields, the workshop equips attendees to apply isotopebased methods to Quaternary and environmental research.