Contributed by Kathleen Benison, 2026 GSA James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Outbound Lecturer
As the 2026 Geological Society of America’s James B. Thompson, Jr. International Distinguished Lecturer, I spent the first two months (January and February 2026) of my sabbatical touring Australia. At the start of my trip, I had decided that my lectureship mantra would be “teach, learn, befriend, enjoy”.
The teaching aspect was realized in the 13 research lectures given at universities, scientific agencies, and geological societies in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Armidale, and Adelaide. My talks included “Pangea on Acid: Extreme Environments, Climate, and Life during Permo-Triassic Time”, “Salty Secrets about the Search for Life on Mars”, and “The Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Sedimentology, and Microbiology of Acid Saline Lakes of Western Australia”. A fun outreach activity was a radio interview done with TUNE FM, the oldest university radio station in Australia. I also brought Australian geologists from the Central Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to the acid salt lakes in Western Australia that I’ve been studying since 2001.
I learned about the research and curricular interests of Australian geologists and how Australian geoscience academic departments work. I learned about the current interests of the mining and environmental industries in Australia. I visited some world-famous geological sites, such as the Lake Clifton thrombolites (mounded rocks similar to stromatolites made by clots of microorganisms), and saw an extensive museum exhibit of Ediacaran fossils. I also witnessed the efforts made along the coastline in and near Perth to preserve sensitive environments, including dunes and wetlands, while also enhancing recreational uses of the shoreline. These are all experiences I will use for future teaching in my courses at West Virginia University. Fieldwork at the acid salt lakes led to new observations about the range of minerals that precipitate there and about how fast gypsum grows.
I befriended many Australian geoscientists, including faculty, students, and industry and governmental agency scientists. Anicia and Ryan came into the field with me to study acid salt lakes. Sherri took me on a hike to a waterfall and search for platypus; we did not find any platypus, but did see an echidna up close. Susan recommended books about the geomorphology of my field area and Wolfgang alerted me to some salt cores I may wish to study. I made friends with non-geologists, as well. Peter, the CEO of the Shire of Dundas, came into the field with me and was eager to both learn about the natural history of this region of Western Australia and to share his knowledge of the local fauna and flora, including the best way to call an emu closer: lay on your back and pedal your legs in the air! Mary and Chris, sisters and educators (and one, a former member of Parliament) took me on walking tours of their city of Brisbane and to their urban country club, which only recently was opened to women.
The enjoyable parts of my Australian tour were numerous. I watched the blood moon lunar eclipse over the Swan River in Perth, saw the Milky Way from the outback of Western Australia, snorkeled at Rottnest Island, and rode the commuter ferries in Brisbane. I loved my early morning walks through beautiful botanical gardens, visits to the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, and pauses to watch sunsets on the Indian Ocean in Western Australia. I saw a variety of the unique-to-Australia animals, all in the wild, including quokkas, kangaroos, emus, flying foxes, bush turkeys, echidna, snake-necked turtles, a water dragon, little penguins, and kookaburra. I only had one, not-too-close, encounter with a red-backed spider; it was on a rock in a geology department!
My second lecture tour is planned for April. I will travel to London and Edinburgh. I’m excited about giving a talk at the Geological Society of London. Established in 1825, it is one of the oldest and most esteemed scientific societies.
What a fulfilling way to spend a sabbatical! I am grateful to the Geological Society of America and donors to the James B. Thompson, Jr. lectureship fund for sponsoring my lectureship and to WVU for approving my sabbatical leave. I think I will surely incorporate my experiences into my teaching, research, and service for years to come.
April of 2026 found me in the United Kingdom on my second tour as the Geological Society of America’s James B. Thompson, Jr. International Distinguished Lecturer. It was my first time there. I gave talks at the University of Edinburgh, the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh, the Geological Society of London, and the University of London at Birkbeck. My talks were “Pangea on Acid: Extreme Environments, Climate, and Life during Permo-Triassic Time” and “Salty Secrets about the Search for Life on Mars”.
A theme of this U.K. tour was “old meets new”. I visited significant places in the history of geology as a science. I gave talks at the Lyell Centre, near James Hutton Road, and in the same building where Charles Darwin presented his observations and ideas. Another highlight for me was seeing the magnificent mineral, rock, and fossil collection at the Natural History Museum in London. At the Geological Society of London, prior to my public lecture, I viewed the famous William Smith map and one of Mary Anning’s ichthyosaur jawbones.
The ”new” part of this tour were the new geo-friends I met, ranging from graduate students to Geological Society fellows. Due to a Tube drivers strike, Geoff walked miles to the Geological Society for my talk and arrived early enough for us to discuss Permo-Triassic continental sedimentary rocks in detail. Mitchell, an American graduate student in London, told me that he tries to attend as many lectures as he can, because it’s “great to hear people talk about their passions”. I also met several undergraduate and graduate students embarking on cutting-edge geology and astrobiology research and realizing the multi-disciplinary nature of the geosciences.
I greatly enjoyed being a tourist in London and Edinburgh. I ate fish and chips, drank tea, wandered through the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, toured the Tower of London, crossed the famous “zebra” crosswalk at Abbey Road Studios, found Paddington Bear on a bench, and took in a show in London’s West End (Hamilton!).
I am grateful to GSA International and the James B. Thompson, Jr. lecture program for this incredible opportunity to teach, learn, befriend, and enjoy in London and Edinburgh. I know that these experiences will enrich my teaching and research for years to come.
Speaking of Geoscience 