Paleonet: The 2015 Fossilworks Intensive Workshop in Analytical Palaeobiology

[John Alroy]

Fossilworks Intensive Workshop in Analytical Palaeobiology

About the workshop

An intensive training workshop focusing on methods used by analytical
palaeobiologists has been held since 2005. As in previous years, the 2015
workshop will held at Macquarie University <http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/> in
Sydney. The sessions will run from 21 June to 11 July.

Topics will include community palaeoecology, diversity estimation,
speciation and extinction, phylogenetics, phenotypic evolution, and
geometric morphometrics. Both simulation modelling and data analysis
methods will be employed. Training will combine lectures and practical
exercises. Participants will be given hands-on instruction in programming
using R and taught to use other analytical software. In addition to the
workshop coordinator, each week a new instructor will be present. The
instructors are expected to include John Alroy
<http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/~jalroy/>, Alistair Evans
<http://users.monash.edu.au/~arevans/>, Michal Kowalewski
<http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/about-us/people/spotlight/kowalewski/>, and Pete
Wagner <http://http//paleobiology.si.edu/staff/individuals/wagner.html>.

There is no fee for registration, but no expenses will be subsidised this
year due to lack of institutional support for the workshop. Participants
will be advised on the availability of budget accommodations with cooking
facilities near the campus. Participants are encouraged to solicit travel
funds from their home institutions or other organizations.

How to apply

Participants should be in the early stages of their own research in
palaeontology or any related area and should have a background in basic
statistics. The ability to understand rapidly spoken English is essential.
Although the workshop is open to all undergraduates and advanced graduate
students, first or second year graduate students are particularly
encouraged to apply. Applications from professionals who have completed
their studies will be considered but are not given first priority. We
strongly encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented
groups.

Applications should be submitted in PDF format to John Alroy (
john.alroy at mq.edu.au). Applications should be mailed by midnight on
Saturday, *28 February 2015* as reckoned in the Pacific time zone. A cogent
explanation must be given for submitting an application after the deadline.
Applications should consist of a one page statement. Do not include
separate documents such as a curriculum vitae. No form needs to be filled
out.

The statement should include a brief description of current research plans,
a list of degrees earned stating the year of graduation in each case, a
brief list of relevant classes taken, and an account of the applicant's
previous use of statistics and knowledge of programming. Applicants who do
not employ English as a primary language should describe their experiences
learning and speaking it. Applicants are encouraged to explain why the
topics addressed by the workshop are of special interest to them and to
what extent these subjects are taught at their home institutions.

Applications must be accompanied by a recommendation letter, also in PDF
format, written by the applicant's academic advisor and e-mailed
separately. Obtaining a recommendation from anyone who is not an advisor
must be explained. It is important that the recommendation give details
about the applicant's personal character and abilities, not just
credentials and descriptions of research projects. Recommendation letters
also should be received by the end of the due date.
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