Guidelines for speakers
The Discussion Group of the Society was formed in 2016 as a specialist group of the Society. It has its origins in the Society’s Dining Club, founded in 1824. The Group fosters a broad range of discussion and debate on topics based on the Society’s strategic themes, current geological research and societally relevant topics. Our meetings provide a chance to address topics, such as our role in the energy transition, in a relaxed setting whilst at the same time stimulating a broad and open debate.
Speakers are guests of the Group; they introduce a subject at the beginning of the meal, usually on a topical matter of which they have considerable knowledge. This introduction will be no more than 10 minutes duration. The speaker then participates in the discussion that follows which usually lasts about one and half hours.
The topics are of sufficient breadth that they spark interest from geologists of all disciplines and we encourage discussion on controversial matters of interest to the geological community and to the Society. We also encourage speakers to talk about the 'social' side of a subject, for instance, who were the people who first worked on the subject and what sparked their interest?
The aim of the meeting is to have a lively discussion, NOT a lecture, so we do not have any facility for showing slides. However, speakers may bring a specimen to hand around the table, or if an image or diagram is essential to understanding, a paper copy can used.
A summary of each discussion is posted on the Society's website.
Most discussions take place at the University Women's Club in Audley Square, London, but the December meeting usually takes place at the Athenaeum (which has a strict dress code of jacket and tie for men).
A members’ discount applies and guests are not only welcome but encouraged. In order to take full advantage of membership and to support speaker costs and student support, a charge of £30 (reduced to £15 for those living more than 100 miles from central London) can be added to your fellowship fee.