All ESR projects address a significant research challenge concerning the geophysical processes operating within subduction systems and their expressions at the Earth’s surface. They use modelling approaches to explore how processes at depth determine the shape and evolution of the Earth’s surface, and/or geophysical, geological and geomorphological observations at the surface to constrain processes at depth. These projects are independently viable and defined to meet the stringent criteria for Ph.D projects stipulated by the academic institutions in the Network. They are interconnected by shared and complementary themes, methods, field sites and data, forming an ensemble the completion of which will represent a significant advance in the understanding of subduction systems.