Geoscience Futures

For decades, everyone understood what geology was – a discipline with a long tradition, reasonably clear boundaries, and well defined career opportunities. Now it’s a bit more complicated. The emphasis is on interdisciplinary studies, systems thinking, and a lot more focus on the boundaries of geology rather than its core.

That reimagination of geology has been embraced with enthusiasm by Arizona State University in the USA, where geology sits inside the “School of Earth and Space Exploration”. So who better to discuss the future of geology than Meenakshi Wadhwa, the director of the School; planetary geologist and tireless promoter of widening access to geoscience? 

On our side this conversation involves Iain Stewart and Neil Evans, and Meena begins by talking about her experiences getting into geology as a woman from India.

If you take a look at the website of the British Geological Survey, you’ll see that its primary role is the production of geoscience knowledge. No surprise there. But is that enough? Karen Hanhøj, the new director of the BGS, thinks that its mission needs to go further. 

She argues that geoscience needs to be a more outward looking discipline. It isn’t enough simply to do research - to produce geoscience knowledge. It's also vitally important that we make people aware that geoscientists have information that is relevant to public debate and the policy making process. Too often geoscientists are just not at the table when policy issues that are underpinned by geological science are being debated. 

This conversation with Karen is rich with insights that come from a career spent at the interface between business, science and policy making. 

The conversation involves Iain Stewart, Cam McCuaig and Neil Evans - along with Karen.  As is so often the case, it begins by looking at the biggest challenges facing geoscience today.

Geoscience unquestionably has a diversity problem. As one person we spoke to said: “We are the whitest of the white”. Now, if you happen to be white then you'll probably acknowledge that this is an issue of concern. But if you’re a Black geoscientist, it's likely that the simple fact of your skin colour is going to be an inescapable and daily preoccupation in your professional life. Few people have spoken about this issue more eloquently, or with more passion than Professor Chris Jackson, of Manchester University. As a discipline, this is a conversation that we urgently need to have: no discussion about the future of geoscience can afford to ignore the need to diversify its appeal.
Chris doesn’t pull his punches, but his thoughts are always constructive and full of humour. He starts off this conversation - also involving my colleague Cam McCuaig - by highlighting the challenges facing geoscience today.

This episode was recorded when Chris was at UoM. Chris has since moved on to work at Jacobs

Our guest for this podcast is Scott Tinker, who runs the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas. However these days he’s much more widely known as the driving force behind films like “Switch” and “Switch On” that explore issues around energy access and the energy transition. Scott is passionate about the need for the economy and the environment to - as he puts it -  “play well together”, and he sees geoscience as a vital part of that relationship. Scott is a powerful advocate for geoscience. Few people come away from listening to Scott without feeling inspired. So sit back and enjoy the company of one of the best science communicators in the world. 

(As usual, on our side the conversation it’s Iain Stewart, Cam McCuaig and Neil Evans asking the questions. Although please note that Iain’s laptop battery ran out half way through this conversation, so the discussion finishes without him. It happens to the best of us!)

There aren’t many geoscientists who have achieved the positions of power and influence enjoyed by Sir Andrew MacKenzie. Currently Chairman of the Board of Shell, he is also head of the UK Research Institute. Prior to these roles, Andrew was Chief Executive of the giant resources company BHP, and before that he held senior leadership roles at BP.  As well as his corporate credentials, Andrew had a pretty decent career as a research scientist, specialising in geochemistry and making notable contributions in the field of oil exploration.

This discussion was recorded before Andrew’s appointment to head the UK Research Institute, but the views he expresses have added significance now that he occupies such a senior role in UK science policy.  This is a discussion littered with strong opinions and fascinating arguments, so listen on to hear the thoughts of one of the most influential geoscientists in the developed world.

As always, the podcast is introduced by Professor Iain Stewart.

Laura Tyler is Chief Technical Officer at the global resources company BHP - a role which gives her a unique insight into the future of mining and the role of geologists in building sustainable economic development. She began her career in Australia as a geological engineer, working in civil engineering and mining operations, and she retains a deep passion for her geological roots.
Listening to Laura in full flow, what becomes clear is her total belief in the value of Geology’s mission as sustainability and the energy transition become dominant themes throughout society. “There are so many things we can solve with Geology”, as she puts it. In this conversation she fires out fascinating and provocative thoughts on subjects as varied as geology and leadership, the education and training of geologists, and the need for technical excellence in everything that geologists do.
In this conversation (with Iain Stewart, Cam McCuaig and Neil Evans), she begins by talking about the origins of her love for geology.

Darryl Willis is a geoscientist with an extraordinary career, exciting ideas for the future of geoscience, and a gift for communicating his vision. He has jumped from the oil and gas industry into a leading role driving the energy transition as Vice President of Energy & Sustainability at Microsoft. Straddling the worlds of geoscience, energy and digital transformation, perhaps not surprisingly he sees the future of geoscience as intimately linked with solving future demands for energy in a way that reduces carbon emissions and improves access to energy. Understanding data and integrating it into geoscience more effectively is another key theme. 

But when you listen to this conversation, what really strikes you is the excitement that Darryl conjures up around his ambitious vision for the future of geoscience. In his view, geoscientists have critical skills that are central to the challenges society faces – whether that’s coping with ambiguity in data, or the centrality of integrative thinking to the practice of geoscience. 

This is a conversation full of passion and positivity. 

(Note: there are a few minor technical issues in the recording of this interview.)

Meet Sarah Gordon, our first guest. Sarah is the founder and chief executive of Satarla, a risk consultancy and training organisation; she has a background in exploration geology and is also a Trustee of the Geological Society in London. Forthright, energetic and witty, Sarah has strong ideas about the need for geoscience to embrace wider social goals. But she kicks off the conversation with the story of how her career in geoscience began, including a starring role for a visitor from outer space…