A strategy for the Geological Society, 2017 - 2027
Serving science, profession and society
Our purpose:
The Geological Society supports the work of geoscientists, inspires interest in the physical world, and connects science, profession and society.
Our values:
All that we do is underpinned by scientific excellence, professional and ethical integrity, and quality of service.
To that end:
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We strive to be impartial, authoritative, trustworthy and transparent.
- We promote diversity, equality, inclusion and respect for others across the geoscience community.
- We promote social and environmental sustainability, responsibility and stewardship.
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We seek opportunities to work collaboratively, and aim to be recognised as a valued partner.
A home for geoscience: We will promote and support the geosciences and act as the scientific and professional home for an engaged, diverse and inclusive geoscience community
We will do this by:
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Encouraging, celebrating and rewarding excellence and innovation in our science, through our awards, grants and strategic scientific programmes.
- Broadening and growing our membership, and developing our work with students, early career geoscientists and under-represented groups.
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Providing international leadership, influence and collaboration, and promoting the role of geoscience in sustainable global development.
Serving and supporting geoscientists: We will provide services and support for our Fellows and other geoscientists throughout their careers
We will do this by:
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Maintaining excellence in our programme of publications, conferences, library and information services to support the work of all professional geoscientists, drawing on the highest quality science.
- Facilitating communication and access to networks, including through our Specialist and Regional Groups, to sustain our community’s engagement with cutting-edge science and adoption of high professional standards.
- Providing, promoting and endorsing high quality training and continuing professional development (CPD) at all stages of geoscientists’ working lives.
Maintaining standards: We will assure high professional standards in geoscience, for the public benefit
We will do this by:
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Growing and broadening the uptake of Chartered Geologist and other chartered titles, promoting their value across all geoscience sectors, and developing post-Chartership specialist registers.
- Accrediting undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as training schemes, ensuring that accreditation continues to meet the needs of individual geoscientists, education and training providers and other stakeholders.
- Ensuring that professional practice is underpinned by excellent science, through our publishing and meetings programmes.
Trusted voice: We will be the trusted voice of the geoscience community
We will do this by:
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Promoting the use of geoscience research and application to inform policy-making, and ensuring that the Society is the first port of call for those in UK national government and the devolved administrations seeking input from the geoscience community.
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Communicating advances in our science, its application to societal challenges and its relevance to people’s lives through the media.
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Providing a strong, inspiring and unified voice for our science to funders and decision-makers, working with others in the academic community.
Education and outreach: We will promote geoscience education and share our science widely, to inform public debate and to inspire future geoscientists to address the challenges facing humanity
We will do this by:
- Promoting and supporting the teaching of geoscience in schools (as a standalone subject and through other science subjects and geography), and at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and working with geoscience educators to strengthen diversity, equality and inclusion.
- Working with our Regional Groups to link schools, universities, employers and local geoscience organisations, creating a focus for geoscience education and training in each region of the UK.
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Stimulating public awareness and enthusiasm for geoscience, through public lectures, communication programmes and other engagement initiatives, and providing accessible high-quality information on the geoscience relevant to people’s lives.
Strengthening our organisation: We will ensure that the Geological Society remains a sustainable, resilient and thriving organisation over a generational timescale, in order to deliver our strategic aims and objectives
We will do this by:
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Strengthening the Society’s finances, by diversifying our income streams as well as protecting and developing existing income streams, and ensuring sound financial management.
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Developing and maximising the effectiveness and engagement of our people –members, staff and the wider geoscience community.
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Optimising the use of our buildings, facilities and other physical assets.