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9-11 September 2026, Shanghai, China
First Circular (Call for Abstracts & Registration)
1. Motivation
The international ocean drilling programs (Deep Sea Drilling Program, Ocean Drilling Program, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, and International Ocean Discovery Program) have drilled more than 4200 holes and recovered about 500 km long cores worldwide over the past nearly six decades. This sustained global effort has driven a series of significant scientific discoveries that have fundamentally redefined our understanding of the Earth system. The resulting data legacy, encompassing over 200 types across disciplines such as lithostratigraphy, sedimentology, paleontology, geochemistry, and geophysics, can continue to provide critical insights into our planet's evolution and future prediction. However, these data are currently distributed across disparate sources in fragmented and heterogeneous formats.
While some recent studies have successfully developed specialized databases and yielded high-impact results, the scientific potential of the ocean drilling data legacy remains largely underutilized. Rapid advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) now provide the technical capabilities required to facilitate large-scale data integration and multidisciplinary synthesis for future ocean drilling studies. In view of these developments, the Electronic Ocean Drilling Program (E-ODP) has been proposed to advance global ocean drilling data integration and assimilation, thereby fostering AI-supported scientific discovery. The E-ODP initiative aligns with the "Big Data Analytics" enabling element identified in the 2050 Science Framework and was recognized on the First Scientific Drilling Forum (October 2025, Sicily, Italy).
The first international E-ODP workshop aims to convene experts in ocean drilling and data science to share recent scientific discoveries, assess existing multi-disciplinary databases, and establish a strategic roadmap for AI-supported ocean drilling research.
2. Partners
Deep Ocean Drilling Program (DODP)
European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD)
Australian and New Zealand International Scientific Drilling Consortium (ANZIC)
National Institute of Science and Technology – Atlântico (INCT Atlântico)
3. Organizers
Science Center, Deep Ocean Drilling Program (DODP)
State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University
4. Venue
Tongji University, Shanghai, China (meeting room details will be provided later).
5. Scientific Sessions
（1）Ocean Drilling Research Discoveries
This session highlights breakthroughs derived from analyses of drilled cores or observed data. Studies using regional or global-scale data synthesis are particularly encouraged.
（2）Ocean Drilling Databases
This session invites presentations on ocean drilling databases and data-processing tools. Discussions will address the integration of fragmented records across disparate sources.
（3）AI-supported Research and Future Roadmap
This session explores big data and AI studies. The vision is to define a technical framework and a strategic roadmap for AI-supported discovery in ocean drilling.
6. Abstract Submission & Registration
Abstracts and registration information (full name, gender, job title, institution, country, and email address) should be emailed to the Local Contact before 30 June 2026. Registration for this workshop is free.
Abstract format: MS Word or PDF file; title, authors, affiliation(s), e-mail address of corresponding author, main text (A4, maximum 2 pages including figures). All abstracts will be compiled into an abstract volume, which will be distributed to all participants.
7. Travel Grant Support
Travel grants will be secured for all invited participants. Additional grants are available to other qualified participants upon application. The grant will cover their least 3 expensive round-trip air tickets and accommodation, but the specific amount will be determined based on actual circumstances. For travel grant application, please provide (1) a cover letter containing a detailed travel budget and the amount you are applying for, and (2) a brief academic CV (1-2 pages), before 30 June 2026, to the Local Contact. The result will be noticed on 10 July 2026.
8. Visa
China now has a visa-free policy for more than 50 countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and many others (https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183390/ content.html). However, foreign participants are advised to check from the Chinese embassy or consulate in your countries. For those who are required visas entering China need to apply in advance. Formal invitation letters for visa application or institutional travel authorization will be sent to you once your registrations are approved.
9. Accommodation
Special rates will be arranged with nearby hotels for workshop participants. Accommodation details and booking information will be available for registered participants later.
10. Important Dates
30 March 2026: release of the first circular
30 June 2026: deadline for abstract submission, registration, and travel grant application
30 July 2026: announcement of scientific agenda
9-11 September 2026: scientific program (oral and poster presentations)
11. Local Contact
Dr. Pengfei Ma, DODP Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University; e-mail: science_dodp@tongji.edu.cn.
