The QRA sponsors Research Groups for periods of up tothree years to fund activities of sub-disciplines within Quaternary Science. Funds are largely to assist setting up of networks of researchers and for funding of meetings and workshops. Proposals on new topics are currently sought. Please contact Simon Lewis if you have an idea for a new QRA research group.There have been three other groups funded so far:

Isotopes in Biogenic Silica (IBiS) - http://www.bgs.ac.uk/ibis/home.html

Fluvial Archives Reseaerch Group (FLAG) - http://www.qra.org.uk/FLAG/

Cryostratigraphy Research Group - http://www.cpes.sussex.ac.uk/crg/

Palaeopeatlands Research Group (PALPEAT) - http://www.geog.soton.ac.uk/research/plus/PALPEAT.htm

NEW RESEARCH GROUP: QUATERNARY VERTEBRATES (QUAVER)

The purpose of this group is to improve communication between Quaternary vertebrate researchers, through regular meetings, a website and a web-based mailing list. We are especially keen to encourage postgraduates to get involved. An initial aim of the group is to develop a database of sites, indicating which collections are held in which museums. This should prove invaluable in saving time and effort when trying to track missing specimens. Once the group is established we intend to integrate with EUROMAM (the European Quaternary Mammal Research Association) and the new INQUA Commission on Palaeoecology and Human Evolution. Anyone involved in research on mammals, birds, amphibians, etc. is welcome to join the Quaternary Vertebrate Research Group (QUAVER) at our first meeting at Liverpool John Moores University on the 21st and 22nd of March 2005. The group is only just beginning so if you are interested in being involved please contact the Group's Convenor Dr Hannah O'Regan at:

Dr Hannah J. O'Regan,
School of Biological & Earth Sciences,
Liverpool John Moores University,
Liverpool,
L3 3AF.
UK.Tel: 0151 231 2181.
E-mail: BIEHOREG@livjm.ac.uk

The Website is still under development and suggestions for improvements are most welcome.

The site can be found at: http://cwis.livjm.ac.uk/bie/quaver/welcome.htm

To join the QUAVER mailing list (further details of the meetings and discussions will be sent via the list), follow the information at: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/QUAVER.html