Geoscience Futures
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.)
Episodes
8 episodes
Meenakshi Wadhwa
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 t...
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 mi...
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 geosci...
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 a...
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 Chi...
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 Aust...
