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Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM)

Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) is a broad-based, community-initiated research program on the physics of the Earth's magnetosphere and the coupling of the magnetosphere to the atmosphere and to the solar wind. The purpose of the GEM program is to support basic research into the dynamical and structural properties of geospace, leading to the construction of a global Geospace General Circulation Model (GGCM) with predictive capability. This GGCM model will be modularized and will complement parallel developments of magnetohydrodynamic models. The strategy for achieving GEM goals is to undertake a series of focus groups and challenge campaigns, in both theory and observational modes, each focusing on particular aspects of the geospace environment.

The Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) program is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences.

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!!UPDATE!! How to Attend GEM: How_to_GEM - A resource for all those new to the unique style of the GEM Workshop!

What's New

Focus Group Proposal Submission Period is Open:

The GEM Steering Committee would like to invite proposals for new GEM Focus Groups.

As a reminder, last year we implemented an updated submission and selection process to enable greater input from the community, in contrast to all input received during the 5pm mini-GEM Focus Group proposal presentations. Please review the successful updated process:

Updated Process

Focus Group proposals will still be presented to the community and to the Steering Committee at mini-GEM on December 14, after which the Steering Committee will meet to discuss the proposals thoroughly and vote on which to implement. Community members are still encouraged to attend the presentations at mini-GEM and pose questions and make comments at that time.

The change implemented last year is that proposals will be submitted by October 26th 23:59:59 PDT and will be posted publicly for several weeks on the GEM Wiki, allowing the community to view the proposals, make comments, and ask questions. Titles will be published when they are received. Comments and questions will be submitted via an online form and collated by a Steering Committee representative. Submissions will be screened for any harassing or bullying remarks. The comments/questions period will close on November 23, 2025.

Questions will be sent to the proposing team for them to address at the mini-GEM presentation, as well as to the Steering Committee. Comments will be sent only to the Steering Committee, not the proposing team. For example, “I highly encourage the Steering Committee to implement this wonderful FG. As an active member of the Magnetotail community, I can say without reservation that the tail community would be excited to attend this FG’s sessions, as the focused science proposed is in line with the most important unanswered questions we have. See for example this White paper:XXX.”

The Steering Committee strongly encourages the GEM community to attend the proposal presentations at mini-GEM for real-time interaction with the proposing teams and the Steering Committee. Discussions during the mini-GEM presentations are highly beneficial to the Steering Committee's decisions. We understand though that not everyone can attend mini-GEM, and are therefore taking this step of offering online feedback to increase comprehensive participation and transparency.

Please submit your proposals (or questions) to the GEM Chair and Vice Chair, Christine Gabrielse and Allison Jaynes, respectively: christine.gabrielse[at]aero.org, allison-n-jaynes[at]uiowa.edu.

GEM Proposal Requirements

The proposal requirements can be found in the GEM by-laws here: https://gem.epss.ucla.edu/mediawiki/index.php/GEM_Bylaws#Focus_Groups

For a list of current and past Focus Groups, see here: https://gem.epss.ucla.edu/mediawiki/index.php/GEM_Focus_Groups

Proposers are welcome and encouraged to reach out to the GEM Research Area Coordinators to discuss proposal ideas and ask for any guidance: https://gem.epss.ucla.edu/mediawiki/index.php/Organization_and_People

Deadlines:

Mid-September 2025: AO released, submission period begins. October 26, 2025: Submission period ends. Full proposals published on GEM Wiki. Comment period begins. November 23, 2025: Comment period closes. December 14, 2025 (Mini-GEM): Steering Committee (SC) deadline to read all proposals, comments, and questions. At 5pm, the proposing groups present their proposals in a public forum. They may address the questions they received in advance and will take live questions from the community. Afterwards, the SC meets to vote on the new FGs. Immediately post-Mini-GEM: The SC Chair (with VC CC'd) emails all proposing groups (individually) to let them know the outcome and provide feedback.

GEM Community Knowledge Base

The science component of the GEM Workshops are led by a volunteer Steering Committee. To promote transparency and provide an informal guide to existing, new, and future members of the Steering Committee, a document of GEM Steering Committee Best Practices was developed. This document, updated in October 2019, is available here.

The hallmark of GEM workshops is its community-led workshop-style sessions, carried out through focus groups. Interested in applying to run a focus group and are not sure how to do it? Are you currently running a focus group and need ideas for how to achieve the workshop-style in your focus groups? Advice from previous focus group leaders on proposing and running a focus group, updated in October 2019, is available here.

GEM Code of Conduct

GEM is committed to providing a safe, free from harassment, productive and welcoming environment for all. This includes respectful treatment of everyone regardless of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, body size, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, level of experience, political affiliation, as well as any other characteristic protected under state or federal law. This policy applies to all attendees at GEM activities including scientists, students, guests, staff, and contractors participating in scientific sessions, auxiliary meetings, and social events associated with any GEM gathering or other activity. If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or may have witnessed such behavior that violates professional and respectful participant conduct, please immediately report the incident using the report form on the UNH page or notify UNH Affirmative Action and Equity Office at affirmaction.equity@unh.edu or (603)862-2930. All reports will remain completely confidential. And, as stated in the anti-harassment policy, you may find a trusted steering committee member to discuss an incident when immediate action is needed. That steering committee member will share anonymous details with the chair, vice chair, and meeting organizers.

During the GEM workshop, presentation materials will be available online for registered attendees to view. GEM members will respect the intellectual property rights of others and follow best practices.

All participants are required to abide by this Code of Conduct and GEM's anti-harassment policy (see below).

Anti-Harassment Policy for GEM Meetings and Activities

GEM is committed to ensuring that all participants in all GEM activities have an environment that is free from harassment. This policy applies to all attendees at GEM activities including scientists, students, guests, staff, and contractors participating in scientific sessions, auxiliary meetings, and social events associated with any GEM gathering or other activity. See the GEM Code of Conduct, NSF Sexual Harassment for Conferences, and NSF Conference Workshop Symposium Participant Notice for details. If you would like to report an incident, please fill out the form on the UNH Incident Report Form.

Click here for Active Bystander info session 2025 (slides and videos)

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the GEM Community

GEM stands with the numerous professional and academic societies around the world that have pledged to support diversity, equity and inclusion, and commits to listen, advocate, and break down barriers for persons of color. We acknowledge that deep biases and inequities exist that prevent the full participation of people of color in our own scientific community. The GEM Steering Committee and leadership commit to being intentionally and actively anti-racist through education and best practices. Please see the GEM Inclusion Statement for further details.

In line with this committment, although the Steering Committee itself has no authority to choose location (per the contract with NSF, the choice belongs to the Meeting Organizer), the Steering Committee is committed to advocate for locations which are inclusive to all individuals, regardless of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, body size, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, level of experience, political affiliation, as well as any other characteristics protected under state or federal law.

GEM Statement on War and Violence

The GEM community is deeply concerned by the increase of actions of war and violence in the world that lead to the destruction of life and livelihood, and humanitarian crises. The fulfillment of GEM goals, to understand the global-scale geospace system, depends upon the collaboration and coordination of researchers and organizations from all countries. We stand with so many around the world demanding the use of diplomatic negotiations to resolve disputes, restore peace, and return to a safe, collaborative international environment.

Acknowledgment and Disclaimer

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed at this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Comments about this website can be e-mailed to geospace.environment.modeling [at] gmail.com.