Geology for Global Development

Education

What role should academic institutions be playing in changing people’s perception towards Geosciences?

March 4, 2020
What role should academic institutions be playing in changing people’s perception towards Geosciences?
Image by Goodfreephotos_com from Pixabay

During her time at a mining school Hannah Ritchie wondered why the GfGD society membership was so low. How do people perceive geology’s ability to contribute to a sustainable future? Hannah explores the traditional and changing reputation of geology and the roles academic institutions could play in directing this change. [Editor’s note: This post reflects Hannah’s personal opinions. These opinions ...[Read More]

Event Report: UN Science, Technology and Innovation Forum 2019

August 8, 2019

In May 2019, we led an international delegation of early-career Earth scientists to the UN Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals. Download our full event report here. The annual UN Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) aims to facilitate interactions, networks and partnerships to identify and examine needs and gaps in technologies, scientifi ...[Read More]

Careers in Geoscience-for-Development: Some Tips and Resources

July 12, 2019
Careers in Geoscience-for-Development: Some Tips and Resources
GfGD Training in Tanzania (2014). Credit: Joel Gill/ GfGD

One of the most frequently asked questions put to me is ‘how does a geoscientist develop a career linked to international aid or sustainable development?’. Here are some thoughts, recently curated for the 2018 GfGD Annual Conference report, together with examples of how GfGD’s work helps to mobilise geoscientists to engage in sustainable development. Geoscience matters, is critical to progre ...[Read More]

A mining state in Brazil, without geological knowledge? On the value of science communication

May 28, 2019
A mining state in Brazil, without geological knowledge? On the value of science communication
Credit: Martin Vorel (Public Domain CC0)

As the theme of this month is science communication, I’d like to share some of my own experiences with geoscience communication and public perception of geosciences. I was born and raised in Minas Gerais – the most traditional mining state of Brazil. Nowadays it is internationally recognized for recent environmental disasters such as the failure of the Brumadinho and Fundão tailings dams. I ...[Read More]