Geoscientist Online

Sarah Day travels beyond the encircling Chalk and discovers life in the East Midlands - and Wales

Geoscientist 19.8 August 2009

We’ve all been there. You make a friend, things are going great, then they move to London and you never hear from them again. Yet they expect you to shell out to visit them because why would anyone want to be anywhere else? It’s a story that seems to be applicable in geology, too. The Society apparently lives in Burlington House, geologists live all over the country. Keen to explore the Society’s real heartland (and having had my suggestion for a Regional Group of the Bahamas turned down) I took myself off to Derby instead.

Here, the East Midlands Regional Group, chaired by Vanessa Banks, was holding a careers day at the University. EMRG are one of the Society’s most active Regional Groups. Their careers day featured speakers from a number of professions, as well as an exhibition featuring various employers and groups – including the Geological Society. Also present were representatives from the University’s careers service, who demonstrated that it wasn’t just the students who were learning more about geology careers.

“Everyone in my office said I’d recognise the geologists because they’d have beards and home made jumpers” said Vanessa. “But I haven’t seen a single beard all day”. I had actually spotted a couple of beards towards the back; but in general, the stereotype was challenged by the wide range of speakers. Among the career paths highlighted were teaching, industry and academia, as well as STEMnet volunteering.

The most effective presentations were those that highlighted specific areas where geological expertise will be needed in coming years, providing a powerful incentive to enter the profession. In particular, John Black’s talk about radioactive waste management demonstrated more powerfully than any just how important geologists are, and how much more important they are likely to become. Many of the students seemed enthusiastic about a careers event tailored to a specific subject, and were able to learn a lot about their post-university options. “I was unsure about what I wanted to do”, Lauren told me, “but after coming to Careers Day, I’m thinking about becoming an oceanographer”.

Third year geology student Kirsty agreed. “It’s been really good. Especially the talk about education, because I’ve never really considered being a teacher before. I’m thinking about a PhD but it’s good to keep my options open.” Kirsty is President of the University’s Geological Society. “We’ve been going for a few years now” she told us. “We have our own talks and field trips, which is great because not all students can get to Keyworth for the Regional Group meetings.” And it’s not just budding geologists that benefit from the Society. “We have about 40 members. They “re mostly Earth or environmental Earth scientists, but we have some English and Business Studies students too.”

The East Midlands also boast the first branch of the Society’s new Young Geoscientists Group, aimed at helping budding geoscientists with the early stages of their careers, from graduation to Chartership. Established early last year, the Group provides a forum for discussion, networking and socialising. It is hoped that other Regional Groups will use the YGG model to establish similar groups in their own areas.

“I don’t think the Society does enough outside London” says Martin Culshaw, Vice President for Regional Groups. “Until quite recently, the Regional Groups have been often left to their own devices with the hope that they will “do something” he told me.

Wild Wales

To test this theory, I later ventured to the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff. Now in its fifth year, “science and the Assembly” (‘Gwyddoniaeth a’r Cynulliad’) provides a chance for scientists and members of the Assembly to develop closer links. The day saw a series of scientific presentations, held in the Wales Millennium Centre, and an exhibition of scientific organisations in the Senedd. The theme of this year’s meeting was “science and Health” (‘Gwyddoniaeth ac Iechyd’, in case you were wondering). What at first sounds a fairly specific topic attracted a wide range of speakers, one of whom even succeeded in dragging in Darwin.

Although a good opportunity for a wide variety of sciences to meet and discuss progress in both science and policy issues, there was little evidence of interest among ministers themselves. The First Minister, Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan, did send a special message to attendees, in which he boasted of Wales’s “outstanding research in health and health-related fields”. Not everyone was so sanguine, however. Many speakers pointed to the worrying trend of young scientists leaving Wales, and low numbers taking up places on science courses at Welsh universities. From the geologist’s point of view, this is particularly disappointing, since Wales boasts some of the most impressive geological features in the British Isles. What better place to promote the importance of the methods of observation and hypothesis which led to one of the greatest scientific theories of all time?

One of the strongest messages to come from the meeting was the general agreement for there to be a permanent Chief Scientific Adviser post at the Welsh Assembly. Such a post exists in both Westminster and the Scottish Parliament, and would demonstrate a commitment to science and technology and its importance for policy making. Science and technology will have a large part to play in the recovery of the Welsh economy. Investing in the post would, its proponents maintain, demonstrate a long-term commitment to improving the economy of the Principality.

For Martin Culshaw, the variety of regional events taking place is important. “Overall, I think that we need to continuously review the activities of the Regional Groups to identify the good ideas that come out of them and share them around, to give them a feeling of really being part of the Society”.

“It depends on how much we value the Regional Groups, and see them as part of the future. Most Fellows do not live in London. If we don’t do more for our members outside the Capital, there is a real risk that they will drift away.”

Sadly for me, most fellows don’t live in the Bahamas either. Nevertheless, the work of regional groups is vital, not just in making sure fellows feel in touch with the Society, but in building up a healthy community of young geologists to follow in their footsteps. Two things which are essential if we want to ensure the future of geology in the UK is a sunny one.