Geological Society of London Higher Education Network (HEN) Conference
By Alison Stokes, IAGD Executive Counselor
On 21st January 2015 Plymouth University (UK) hosted the annual meeting of the Geological Society of London Higher Education Network. The conference attracted geoscience education practitioners from across the UK, and provided an ideal opportunity for Alison Stokes (Plymouth University and IAGD Executive Counselor) to talk about the GSA 2014 accessible field course to a new audience, and encourage colleagues to engage with the IAGD and the accessible fieldwork agenda.
The outcomes from the talk were very positive – as well as generating lots of discussion and interest on the day, the IAGD has received some new applications for membership, and Alison is starting to explore possibilities for collaboration on accessibility-based projects with UK colleagues. By signing the Science Council’s Charter on Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity the Geological Society of London have made a clear commitment to broadening the diversity of talented scientists attracted to geoscience. It is hoped that this meeting will provide a stepping-stone to further UK-based events focused around diversity in the geosciences, and help to build capacity for future international collaboration.
An article about the GSA 2014 accessible field course, written by Alison Stokes and Chris Atchison, has been accepted for publication in the May issue of ‘Geoscientist’, the Geological Society of London magazine.
