Frequently Asked Questions
The fee covers accommodation, meals, field trip (if applicable) and associated costs for the duration of the workshop. Travel expenses to and from the venue are not included. Efforts will be made to collect students from Campbelltown Station if they arrived by rail but we cannot guarantee this.
Travel information and directions will be available on the Workshop Info → Overview & Details page closer to each event. Transport from the nearest airport and from major nearby cities will be suggested as well. Please note that arrival at the venue must be arranged by participants.
Bring a laptop, notebook, comfortable enclosed footwear and clothing, and any data or literature you might wish to discuss with instructors. Please also bring a lab coat. Other laboratory safety equipment and materials will be provided.
All rooms are equipped with standard linen and pillows, but we only have a limited supply of blankets. Please bring a sleeping bag or blanket if you have one.
Generally, the workshop provides all necessary materials for projects. If you wish to bring your own samples, please contact the organisers in advance to discuss feasibility and any biosecurity or safety restrictions.
Yes. Participants who complete the full programme will receive a certificate of participation, which may be used for academic or professional purposes.
Registration closes when all places have been filled (20-25) or two weeks before the workshop, whichever occurs first. In practice, all spots are usually taken within two months of registration opening.
Once the workshop reaches capacity, registration closes for both new applications and administrative processing. If places are still available, the final deadline for registration is two weeks before the event.
As places are limited, early application and prompt payment are strongly recommended.
Refunds may be offered for cancellations made before the registration process closes, subject to an administrative fee of AUD 100. After this date, fees are non-refundable due to fixed workshop costs.
For international participants who have requested and received a letter of invitation, refunds are only considered in cases of visa refusal, upon presentation of official documentation from the relevant authorities. The amount refunded (partial or full) will depend on how close to the workshop date the cancellation occurs.
Registrations open approximately four months before the workshop. To apply, please complete the online registration form.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, starting about a month after registration opens. Once an application has been reviewed, applicants will be notified promptly of the outcome.
Once accepted, participants can secure their place by paying the workshop fee. As places are allocated in the order of completed registrations (based on received payment), early payment is recommended.
As the number of participants is limited to 20–25, early application and timely payment are strongly recommended. Registration will close once all places are filled with paid attendees, which typically occurs several weeks before the final deadline.
Overseas Participant FAQs
Absolutely. The workshop welcomes international participants. However, please note that you are responsible for arranging your own travel, visas, and insurance. Take care to have medical insurance.
Yes. Letters of invitation for visa applications are available on request after registration has been confirmed through payment of the workshop fee.
Australia has strict biosecurity and customs regulations, which means there are limits on what you can bring into the country — including food, plant or animal materials, and some scientific samples.
To avoid problems on arrival, we recommend checking the official information from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Australian Border Force before you travel:
Please make sure to declare all restricted or biological materials (including workshop samples, if applicable) on your arrival card. Declaring items is always safer than risking a fine or confiscation.
Food related FAQs
Yes. All meals are provided and served communally. Tea and coffee facilities are also available throughout the day.
We will collect dietary information on the payment portal and will do our best to accommodate all reasonable requests. Please contact the organisers or the main coordinator after payment if you need to discuss your requirements further.
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Passionate about Stable Isotopes?
Testimonials
We've been running these workshops for more than a decade and although they've changed over time and depending on the venue, they've all been a real success. People have enjoyed them, learnt a fair bit about isotopes and learned to incorporate stable isotopes in their work. I keep meeting researchers who have attended these teaching workshops and stayed in the field. By imprisoning a tight group of students and teachers together for a week, the maximum amount of knowledge has diffused between them, as well as them all having a fair bit of fun.
by Hilary Stuart-Williams, Organiser
Chasing the Storm
During SIBS 2020, a surprise hailstorm hit Canberra with golf ball–sized hail. Instead of running for cover, we grabbed our vials! Soon we were sampling hailstones to analyse how isotope ratios vary from surface to core — pure scientific curiosity in action!
We have run this course since 2013 and every time it is a lot of fun delving deep into the world of stable isotopes. The presentations on the last day are always very impressive and a testimony of how much can be achieved in a week!
by Claudia Keitel, Organiser
EucFACE Expedition
Visiting EucFACE during SIBS 2023 was unforgettable — the world’s only mature forest CO2 enrichment site! Our hosts from Western Sydney University showed how isotopes reveal how rising CO2 affects soils, plants, and microbes.
Attending SIBS 2018 in Hawkesbury as a student was a turning point for me. I learned techniques I still use today and connected with an inspiring community of isotope enthusiasts. Since then, isotopes have become a core part of my research, and I’ve had the privilege of returning to other SIBS events as a lecturer and mentor. Looking back, I’m grateful for both experiences, learning and later giving back.
by Diego Márquez, Mentor