The 1st TranSEHA Young Researchers Seminar: “Carbon-14”

On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the 1st TranSEHA Young Researchers Seminar was held in Room 221 of the Research Institutes Building II at Nagoya University.
The seminar aims to help early-career members of the TranSEHA program develop a mutual understanding of the research topics, approaches, directions, and challenges across different fields, thereby fostering collaborative research and the joint development of research questions.
The theme of this inaugural seminar was “Carbon-14.” Lectures covered the fundamental principles and measurement methods underlying radiocarbon research, radiocarbon calibration, and radiocarbon studies using tree rings, as well as the principles of oxygen isotopes and methods for measuring oxygen isotope ratios. Early-career members also gave presentations introducing their own research.
The seminar featured lively discussions, with insightful questions arising from perspectives outside the presenters’ respective fields. It provided a valuable opportunity for mutual learning and laid an important foundation for the further development of the transdisciplinary network.
The 2nd TranSEHA Young Researchers Seminar is scheduled to be held at Okayama University of Science from October 14 to 17, with “Archaeomagnetism” as its theme.

1. Research Introductions by PD Researchers and RAs
Research presentations by Masaya Yakura¹, Atsushi Kojima², Hayato Taniguchi¹, Yu Kitahara³, Hirotaka Takahashi³, Reona Hiramine⁴, Tetsuya Shinozaki⁵, and En-bi Choi¹ (in order of presentation)
¹ Institute for Space–Earth Environmental Research (ISEE), Nagoya University
² Center for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagoya University
³ Advanced Asian Archaeological Research Center, Kyushu University
⁴ National Museum of Japanese History
⁵ Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo

2. Exploring Past Solar Activity through ¹⁴C in Tree Rings
Lecture by Fusa Miyake (ISEE, Nagoya University)

3. Principles of δ¹⁸O and Methods for δ¹⁸O Measurement in Tree Rings
Lecture by Masanori Sano (National Museum of Japanese History)

4. Principles of ¹⁴C, Sample Preparation, and ¹⁴C Measurement Methods
Lecture by Masayo Minami (ISEE, Nagoya University)

5. ¹⁴C Calibration
Lecture by Minoru Sakamoto (National Museum of Japanese History)

6. Discussion

7. Meeting on TranSEHA Collaborative Research