Sarah Connors

GeoPolicy: How do Members of European Parliament learn about science?

Sarah Connors August 17, 2016

The European Parliament in Strasbourg, Alsace. Credit: Thomas Hassel (distributed via flickr.com)

Only ~5% of Members of European Parliament, or MEPs, have a background in the physical sciences1, yet many political challenges require an understanding of the science surrounding these issues. Issues such as locating and extracting mineral resources, understanding climate change impacts, and developing new low-carbon technology. The European Commission (EC) and the European Parliament (EP) have s ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: 8 ways to engage with policy makers

Sarah Connors July 13, 2016

European Parliament Plenary Chamber. Credit: Diamond Geezer (distributed via flickr.com)

Scientific research is usually verbally communicated to policy officials or through purposefully written documents. This occurs at all levels of governance (local, national, and international). This month’s GeoPolicy post takes a look at the main methods in which scientists can assist in the policy process and describes a new method adopted by the European Commission (EC) that aims to enhance scie ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: 8 science-based projects improving regions in the EU

Sarah Connors June 17, 2016

Winter Storm at La Palama. Seawater swimming pools destroyed by a winter storm on the northern shore of La Palma island. Credit: Camille Clerc (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

As scientists, it can sometimes be difficult to see the real-world implications of some of our research. Concepts can often seem abstract and remote when sitting in a lab or taking field measurements. But researching the Earth sciences can have profound effects on global society. Understanding how the natural world works can help protect and improve human, animal, and plant life. This month’s GeoP ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: What’s next for the IPCC & how can early career scientists get involved? An interview with Valérie Masson-Delmotte

Sarah Connors June 1, 2016

Valérie Masson-Delmotte. Credit: Pierre Maraval. Rights-free image taken as a part of the “1000 Researchers project”.

This month’s GeoPolicy post is an interview with the newly-appointed co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 1 (WG1): Valérie Masson-Delmotte. Valérie is also a Principle Investigator at the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, Paris. In this interview she discusses how she balances her two roles, what the IPCC has planned over the ...[Read More]