What Makes a Geoscience Model Useful?

Modelling is ubiquitous in geoscience, from conceptual models used to summarise qualitative outcrop interpretations, to experimental analogue models and complex numerical process models used to advance our understanding fundamental processes. Geoscience models of all types are widely used for prediction across all areas of geoscience, for example in natural hazard prediction, in subsurface prediction in the exploration, appraisal and production of natural resources, and increasingly in sequestration and energy storage. In all cases, the question applies: what makes a geoscience model useful? Answering this question is important because it requires that we fully understand and optimise the modelling process to best develop and encapsulate robust understanding and therefore make the best possible predictions.

The meeting aims to use oral, poster and keynote presentations combined with discussion and debate sessions to progress answers to the following questions:

What makes a geoscience model useful?
How should conceptual, analogue and numerical models be used and integrated in geoscience?
How much do conceptual models inform, influence or limit data collection and interpretation?
Do digital outcrop models have significant untapped potential, for example to improve existing conceptual models?
What does it mean for a model to be predictive?
How do you find the simplest model or models able to answer the question being asked?
Are simple process models as useful as complex process models?
Do we need metrics for model complexity?
What new process models remain to be developed?

Potential outputs of the conference include a white paper on best practice in geoscience modelling. This could perhaps form an excellent starting point for a GSL Special Publication presenting papers building on the themes presented during the conference

This conference will be useful to any geoscientist who uses models, from conceptual and digital outcrop models, to models that integrate multiple forms of data, to full-physics analogue and numerical process models. It will be useful if you want to better understand where the boundary between models and data lies, how best to develop and/or apply models for robust prediction, and how further development of models can advance geoscience. We anticipate and welcome participants from all areas of geoscience spanning academia, industry and teaching.

Prof. Peter Burgess - University of Liverpool

Dr Brian Burnham - VRGeoscience

Prof. Tim Dooley - Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin

Prof. Cathy Hollis - University of Manchester

Prof. Janine Kavanagh - University of Liverpool

Prof. Yvonne Spychala - RWTH Aachen University

Dr Georg Warrlich - Shell

Call for Abstracts

The call for abstracts is now open. You can submit your abstract at the link below:

Submit your abstract here

Submit

The deadline for abstract submissions is Monday 15 June 2026

Conference Themes

This theme asks what makes a geoscience model useful. In other words, what is the purpose of a model, and how can they be valuable by meeting this purpose? For example, how can models support understanding, forecasting, and decision‑making, and how can they be truly predictive?

Exploring how to identify the simplest model capable of answering a given geoscience question, the role of process‑based models, and when complexity adds value versus unnecessary uncertainty.

Examining how conceptual models underpin interpretation, guide data collection, shape workflows, and introduce bias; how much do conceptual models enable versus limit geological understanding?

Demonstrating examples of geoscience analogue or numerical modelling that are useful, explaining how and why they are useful, and perhaps considering how they could be developed to be more useful.

Bringing together conceptual, analogue, numerical, and digital models to improve insight, challenge assumptions, and fully exploit emerging tools, such as digital outcrop models, for example with new model interrogation methods.

Keynotes

Alisa Bokulich is a Professor in the Philosophy Department at Boston University and an Associate Member of the History of Science Department at Harvard University. She co-founded & directs the Philosophy of Science Association's Underrepresented Philosophy of Science Scholars (UPSS) Initiative & Mentoring Program. From 2010-2023 she served as Director of BU’s Center for Philosophy & History of Science. She is author of Reexamining the Quantum-Classical Relation: Beyond Reductionism and Pluralism and has edited several books. She leads a philosophy of the geosciences research group called Phi-Geo, and is currently working on a new book on the philosophy of the geosciences, titled Measuring the Earth and Reconstructing Deep Time: Philosophical Issues in Data, Modeling, & Uncertainty.

Chris Paola is Emeritus Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences and a member of St Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota Minneapolis. He received a B.S. from Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA, an M. Sc. in Sedimentology from the University of Reading (UK) and, in 1983, a D. Sc. from the Joint Program in Oceanography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He has spent his entire professional career at the University of Minnesota except for a two-year stint at the U. S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver WA. His main research areas have been in river and delta evolution, and quantitative sedimentology. Of greatest relevance to this meeting is his work on the practice and philosophy of experimental stratigraphy and of reduced-complexity theoretical models.

In-person fees

Fellow £205

Non-Fellow £345

Student Member £40

Student Non-Member £80

Speaker (Fellow) £205

Speaker (Non-Fellow) £215

Speaker (Student Member) £40

Speaker (Student Non-Member) £70

Retired Fellow £205

Corporate Affiliate £220

Virtual fees

Fellow £95

Non-Fellow £155

Student Member £0

Student Non-Member £30

Speaker (Fellow) £90

Speaker (Non-Fellow) £120

Speaker (Student Member) £0

Speaker (Student Non-Member) £25

Retired Fellow £90

Corporate Affiliate £125

Group discounts

5–9 delegates: 10% off
10–14 delegates: 15% off
15 delegates or more: 20% off

Please contact conference@geolsoc.org.uk for any group bookings.

We offer discounted rates for those in developing countries. Please email conference@geolsoc.org.uk for more information