Geoscience is central to all our futures. Whether it’s the energy transition, clean water, feeding the planet, mitigating climate change, or building sustainable cities, the world needs geoscientists. But is the discipline of geoscience fit for purpose? In this podcast, well known broadcaster Professor Iain Stewart - along with colleagues Cam McCuaig and Neil Evans from the resources company BHP - talk to "thought leaders" in the field of geoscience, to discover their vision for the future of the discipline. How does geoscience reinvent itself for the great societal challenges of the 21st century? This is a podcast that grew out of a Unesco research project exploring the relationship between geoscience and the UN's sustainability goals. It is intended as a showcase for creative thinking about the future of geoscience.(As a consequence of Covid lockdowns, all the interviews were conducted via video conference and the audio quality sometimes reflects this.)
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...
2 Mar 2022
Karen Hanghøj
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 geoscientist...
13 Feb 2022
Chris Jackson
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 ...
24 Jan 2022
Scott Tinker
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 advoc...
15 Dec 2021
Andrew MacKenzie
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 notabl...
24 Nov 2021
Laura Tyler
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 sus...
22 Oct 2021
Darryl Willis
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...
11 Oct 2021
Sarah Gordon
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 sp...
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