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!
Delta Team
In this photo from the 2020 SIBS workshop in Canberra, students and mentors teamed up to form the iconic delta symbol – the classic mark of isotopic ratios. A perfect snapshot of the creativity and camaraderie that define SIBS!
I attended the 2026 SIBS workshop in Camden. It was a busy week filled with presentations, with some hands-on experience using isotopes to understand soil-plant interactions. I walked away from the workshops feeling inspired to continue using isotopes in my soil and pasture research and dreaming up experiments for the future. A great week, and wonderful opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing. Would highly recommend to anyone thinking about the use of isotopes in their research work.
by Evanna McGuinness, Attendee — SIBS 2026 Camden
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.
As a lecturer from a regional university, attending SIBS 2026 was a great opportunity to meet other environmental science researchers and to hear about the interesting work happening around the country and overseas. It was fun to get out in the field and do some lab work to complete a small group research project. It was valuable to be on the other side of teaching - learning from other groups, universities, and all the presenters. Claudia and her colleagues did a fantastic job of organising the workshop - their hard work produced a successful, relevant and engaging experience. Thank you!!
by Catherine (Cassie) Jones, Attendee — SIBS 2026 Camden