Binghamton Info:
History of the Symposium | Proposing a Symposium | Symposium Steering Committee
A Brief History of the of the Binghamton Geomorphology Symposium
In 1966 four geomorphologists and physical geographers at the State University of New York-Binghamton, all graduates of A.N. Strahler at Columbia University, began organizing weekly “brown-bag lunches” and discussing informally about their common interests: geomorphology and water. As the discussions became more focused over the next few years, and with the addition of Marie Morisawa to SUNY-Binghamton in 1970, the group put on the first Binghamton Geomorphology Symposium, focusing specifically on Environmental Geomorphology.
These co-conspirators were dismayed at the increasing specialization and compartmentalization that had occurred in the sciences, and noted that many of the intriguing problems in science had become interdisciplinary. Because many problems in environmental science transcend traditional science and cut across scientific disciplines, they viewed the geomorphologist, as the surviving generalist in earth science, as being particularly capable to interact in emerging environmental issues. Thus, they convened the first Binghamton Symposium, stating that “This Symposium is the first in what will be an annual symposia series in geomorphology.” And so it was. The Binghamton Symposium has been held annually ever since for over three decades. Each year the Symposium covers a specific topic as it relates to geomorphology:
1. Environmental Geomorphology (1970)
2. Quantitative Geomorphology (1971)
3. Coastal Geomorphology (1972)
4. Fluvial Geomorphology (1973)
5. Glacial Geomorphology (1974)
6. Theories of Landform Development (1975)
7. Geomorphology and Engineering (1976)
8. Geomorphology in Arid Regions (1977)
9. Thresholds in Geomorphology (1978)
10. Adjustments of the Fluvial System (1979)
11. Applied Geomorphology (1980)
12. Space and Time in Geomorphology (1981)
13. Groundwater as a Geomorphic Agent (1982)
14. Models in Geomorphology (1983)
15. Tectonic Geomorphology (1984)
16. Hillslope Processes (1985)
17. Aeolian Geomorphology (1986)
18. Catastrophic Flooding (1987)
19. History of Geomorphology (1988)
20. Appalachian Geomorphology (1989)
21. Soils and Landscape Evolution (1990)
22. Periglacial Geomorphology (1991)
23. Geomorphic Systems (1992)
24. Geomorphology: The Research Frontier and Beyond (1993)
25. Geomorphology and Natural Hazards (1994)
26. Biogeomorphology (1995)
27. The Scientific Nature of Geomorphology (1996) (on-line
book available for free)
28. Engineering Geomorphology (1997) (book
information)
29. Coastal Geomorphology (1998)
30. Geomorphology in the Public Eye (1999)
31. Modeling and Geomorphology (2000) (book
information)
32. Mountain Geomorphology (2001) (book
information)
33. Dams and Geomorphology (2002)
34. Ice Sheet Geomorphology (2003)
35. Weathering
and Landscape Evolution (2004) (book
information)
36. Geomorphology
and Ecosystems (2005)
37. The
Human Role in Changing Fluvial Systems (2006)
38. Complexity
in Geomorphology (2007)
39. Fluvial Deposits and Environmental History
(2008)
Proposing a Binghamton Geomorphology International Symposium
Proposals to host a Binghamton Geomorphology International Symposium may be submitted at any time to the Binghamton Geomorphology Steering Committee. Binghamton Symposia are comprised of invited speakers, open posters, and occasional fieldtrips offered over the course of a weekend (typically in October). Field trips are typically offered on Friday afternoons, followed by a reception to welcome attendees. Occasionally, field trips are also offered on Sunday afternoon following the paper sessions. Papers run the full course of Saturday plus Sunday morning. All papers are held in plenary session, which insures that all attendees can hear all speakers. Poster sessions are usually held during breaks between paper sessions. Formal discussion panels and open discussion periods are sometimes scheduled throughout the conference. A banquet is held on Saturday evening and usually includes a keynote speaker who provides an overview address on issues central to the conference theme. Slight variations to this structure can be accommodated to meet the needs of a particular conference, but the scheduling over a Friday-Sunday period and the plenary sessions for papers are required components of Binghamton Symposia.
Each Annual Symposium focuses on one specific topic of interest to geomorphologists and related scientists. Past topics cover a wide range of issues in geomorphology. Papers of the Binghamton Symposium Series are typically published in a special issue of the international journal Geomorphology (Elsevier) and are considered for inclusion as a stand-alone edited book volume (the "maroon book series") also published by Elsevier, dependent on a pre-order sales agreement.
There is no funding available from the Binghamton Steering Committee or
a publisher to cover the costs of hosting a Binghamton Geomorphology Symposium
(although the costs of the special issue are covered by Elsevier). It
is expected that conference costs will be covered through participant fees,
support from the host institution (typically a university, although other
venues are welcomed), and any external funds the conference hosts can acquire. You
should contact recent hosts of Binghamton Symposia to discuss potential
funding mechanisms.
To offer a proposal to the Steering Committee for consideration for future
meetings, please forward to David Butler, Chair of the Binghamton Steering
Committee (db25@txstate.edu), a 2-3 page proposal describing the credentials
of the potential organizer(s), the envisioned theme, a list of potential
speakers, the venue/host location, possible funding for international speakers,
and any other information you may deem relevant. Indicate in your
proposal your plans to include a diverse group of speakers, in terms of
gender, career position, academic training (geography, geology, civil engineering,
ecology, etc.), and nationality. It is expected that speakers from
multiple countries will be invited to the conference.
Proposals for Binghamton Geomorphology Symposia are reviewed and accepted or rejected by the Binghamton Steering Committee. The Steering Committee may recommend changes in the program emphasis, the speakers invited to the conference, or other ways to improve the symposium.
The Binghamton Steering Committee
Proposals for Binghamton Symposia are reviewed and accepted or rejected by the Binghamton Steering Committee. The Steering Committee may recommend changes in the program emphasis, speakers to invite to the conference, or other ways to improve the symposium. The Steering Committee also sets policy regarding the structure of meetings and, when necessary, steps in help with meeting management and publication of proceedings. The steering committee has long-term members, as well as rotating members.
There is no term limit for the long-term positions, which provide continuity to the symposia. A majority of the long-term committee positions are typically filled by editors and members of the editorial board of the journal, Geomorphology.
Long-term members (as of June, 2006):
David Butler (Chair), Geography, Texas State University-San Marcos, Book Review Editor for Geomorphology
Don Coates, Retired Scholar
Larry Davis, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New Haven
Carol Harden, Geography, University of Tennessee
Pete Knuepfer, Geology, SUNY at Binghamton
Richard Marston, Geography, Kansas State University, Co-Editor-in-Chief for Geomorphology
Jack Vitek, Geology, Texas A&M., Special Issues Editor (North and South America) for Geomorphology
Ellen Wohl, Geosciences, Colorado State University
Mike Woldenberg, Geography, SUNY at Buffalo
Queries about hosting a Binghamton Symposium and proposals for symposia should initially be sent to the Chair of the Steering Committee.
Rotating committee members are all individuals who have sponsored or who will host a Binghamton Symposium. The rotating members have terms that begin when their proposal is accepted by Steering Committee. Their terms end at the symposium two years after completion of the symposium they organized:
Rotating Members (as of January, 2007):
Chris Renschler, Geography, University at Buffalo (term ends 2007)
Martin Doyle, Geography, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (term ends 2007)
Martin Thoms, Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, University of Canberra (term ends 2007)
W. Andrew Marcus, Geography, University of Oregon (term ends 2008)
Allan James, Geography, University of South Carolina (term ends 2008)
Mark Fonstad, Geography, Texas State University (term ends 2009)
A. Brad Murray, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Duke University (term ends 2009)
Karl Butzer, Geography, University of Texas (terms ends 2010)
Paul Hudson, Geography, University of Texas (terms ends 2010)