To ensure that the workshop is a technically stimulating and rewarding experience for all attendees, the two and a half day workshop agenda will include short invited presentations by workshop attendees; moderated discussion sessions with pre-identified discussion leaders, open discussion and summary presentations by discussion leaders.

The workshop organizers will identify lead discussers for the various sessions in advance of the workshop. These individuals will work with the conference chairs to ensure that the technical content of the session comprehensively reflects the topic. The preliminary agenda for the workshop follows below.

Sessions I through IV follow the same format and involve consideration of micro-geomechanics from successively increasing strain perspectives. Each session will consist of a keynote presentation by a discussion leader followed by 6 invited short presentations related to the strain scale being considered. The discussion leader and workshop chair will work closely with these invited speakers to minimize overlap between these presentations.  Each session will include a significant open discussion period moderated by the discussion leader, assisted by a session reporter. The discussion leader and/or session reporter will summarize the session at the end. The final workshop session (Session V) will follow a different format consisting of several invited presentations focussed on identifying future directions followed by significant open discussion. The discussion of research needs will be summarized by session moderator.