Society discussion group
Danny Clark-Lowes explains the benefits of the Geological Society Discussion Group (GSDG), a Specialist Group of the Society
Where can you learn about the Quaternary opening of the Dover Straights, the lack of effective representation of science in Parliament, pingos (yes, you may have to Google it), managing geological risk, ‘channel flow’ as a tectonic mechanism for granite emplacement in the Himalayas—and get a chance to debate these issues?
The answer is the GSDG. Since late 2016, this newly-formed group has been holding dinner meetings at various London venues and these topics, plus many more, have been discussed.
The group aims to foster wide-ranging scientific discussion. Invited speakers give a brief introduction to a topical geological subject and promote discussion around the table.
The meetings, which take place about six times a year and are open to the entire Fellowship, are held at various London venues. The cost varies and some are kept deliberately low so as to encourage as wide a participation from the Fellowship as possible. Non-Fellow guests are also welcome.
We often arrange a summer outing: last year we learnt about the geology of wine at Denbies winery, near Dorking, and this year we toured collections at the Natural History Museum that are not usually open to the public.
For general information about the GSDG, contact Danny Clark-Lowes (Honorary Secretary); [email protected].
Above, Malcom Brown listens to an explanation from Epifanio Vaccaro, Petrology Curator, Natural History Museum (credit: Danny Clark-Lowes)
GSDG Programme: 2018