Join us for an extra special autumn workshop and the celebration of ScotNet's 35th anniversary with a family ceilidh!

Welcome to this special edition of the ITI Scottish Network Atumn Workshop "Beyond the Science: Communicating Volcanic Hazards Across the World" that will also see us celebrating our amazing network's 35th anniversary with a buffet lunch and ceilidh. Join us and our wonderful speaker Eric Beard for a full-day event of networking, learning, celebrating, and dancing at The Quaker Meeting House in Edinburgh.

What to expect from the workshop:

Around 800 million people live in areas that could be directly affected by volcanic hazards. As populations grow around active volcanoes, the challenge is not only to understand eruptions, but to make risk clear across languages, cultures, and communities.

Volcanoes have shaped human history across the world: burying cities, feeding soils, forcing migrations, creating myths, and redefining how societies live with danger. This workshop will explore how language influences the way volcanic hazards are understood, translated, and acted upon.

Drawing on experience from Chile, New Zealand, the USA, France, Guatemala, and Ecuador, the session will discuss how volcanic hazards and monitoring techniques can be explained to broad audiences. It will also introduce the development of a new educational hazard poster, designed for scientists, hazard practitioners, students, and the public, with the long-term aim of adapting it into many languages and contexts.

Anniversary Celebration

ScotNet is turning 35! To celebrate this milestone in style we're inviting members, friends, and family to join us for a buffet networking lunch and ceilidh following the workshop at the Quaker Meeting House. This will be a family-friendly event and no alcohol will be served. For anyone wishing to continue the celebrations afterwards, a trip to a nearby pub is a lovely option, and this would need to be organised ad-hoc on the day, or arranged in advance among any interested members.

If you wish to attend the celebration, please book the "ScotNet Anniversay Celebration" ticket in addition to the usual workshop ticket. Partners and children are welcome to attend with discounted tickets available for children aged 6-17. Children aged 5 and under can attend for free. Please advise us of any dietary requirements (you can do this by adding a note when booking your ticket).

About the speaker

L Dr Eric C. P. Breard is a volcanologist at the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh. He studies explosive volcanic eruptions and the dangerous flows they can produce, such as pyroclastic flows, volcanic plumes, and landslides. His research begins with what can be observed in the field, then translates those observations into laboratory experiments, measurements, and computer models that help explain how volcanic processes work.

He uses supercomputers to simulate eruptions, track how volcanic flows move across landscapes, and understand how they interact with air, water, and terrain. His work helps translate complex data into clearer volcanic-hazard communication, supporting scientists, observatories, communities, and the wider public in understanding and acting on volcanic risk.

Venue and location

The workshop, buffet lunch, and ceilidh will take place at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, above Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2JL. The venue is about 10 mins walk from Waverley Station.

General information

If you can offer or would like a lift or overnight accommodation, please post a message on the ScotNet e-group or let Norma know by emailing Norma@tclweb.co.uk.

5 x £30 grants are available for ScotNet members living outside the central belt who wish to attend this event. Please email Victoria Dalrymple on treasurer@itiscotland.org.uk to apply for a grant.

To find out more about joining the network, please contact ScotNet Membership Secretary Alicja Tokarska at membership@itiscotland.org.uk.

Image credits: Pinapple Supply Co.

Description supplied by the event organiser.