Climate change, earthquakes, the origins of life – far flung topics unified through a unique research program. The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program and its program predecessors have been sailing the world’s oceans for over 40 years, recovering over 200,000 meters of samples. The accomplishments of this international research effort are now available for museums and their outreach programs.

The Distinguished Lecturer Series is organized by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership – with funding from the National Science Foundation – to bring scientists performing cutting edge research with scientific ocean drilling to museums for public speaking events. Normally only available to universities, three of the program’s Distinguished Lecturers have geared their lecturers specifically for museum audiences.

The application deadline is August 1, 2009. Ocean Leadership will fund the speaker’s transportation expenses; the host museums are asked in turn to provide support for local expenses. Ocean Leadership can also work with the museum to provide a professional development workshop to compliment the lecture.

Online Application for Museums and Public Venues

2009-2010 Distinguished Lecturers

Dr. Katrina Edwards University of Southern California Microbial Life Below the Bottom of the Ocean

Dr. Kenneth MacLeod University of Missouri-Columbia Mass Extinction at the End of the Cretaceous Period

Dr. Elizabeth Screaton University of Florida Water in the Earthquake Process

DLS for Research Institutions