Geoethics at the EGU 2015

For the third year, the IAPG organizes a session on Geoethics at the European Geosciences Union (EGU), General Assembly, in Vienna (Austria).
The session on Geoethics will take place on April 15th, 2015 in the Room R12.

Here below information about the session and links to the programme.
See you in Vienna.

Session EOS8
Geoethics for society: general aspects and case studies in geosciences

Convenership
Silvia Peppoloni, Nic Bilham, Susan W. Kieffer, Eduardo Marone

Programme
Orals: http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2015/orals/19081 
15 April 2015: 13:30-17:00/Room R12 
Posters: http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2015/posters/19081
15 April 2015: posters attendance 17:30-19:00/Red Posters area

Session description
Geoethics consists of research and reflection on the values which underpin appropriate behaviours and practices, wherever human activities interact with the geosphere. Geoethics deals with the ethical, social and cultural implications of Earth Sciences education, research and practice, and with the social role and responsibility of geoscientists in conducting their activities. As scholars and experts on some of the most urgent problems affecting our planet, geoscientists can play a fundamental role in society, thanks to their unique range of skills, by helping to meet human needs and address environmental problems at the local and global scale, and by providing information and expert advice to support informed decision-making and public debate. Education, at all levels, must be re-oriented to give 21st century citizens a better understanding of natural systems and our interactions with them, and to equip them to participate in debate about the challenges of living equitably and sustainably on our planet. Geoscientists have a great deal to contribute to this re-orientation.

The success of past sessions on Geoethics, organized at the EGU General Assembly since 2012, has demonstrated the growing interest of the academic and professional geoscience community in issues such as environmentally sustainable supply of energy and water resources, protection from natural hazards, and reducing pollution and its impacts on health and the climate. More specifically, geoscientific discourse is increasingly addressing ethical and social problems related to land management; use of natural resources; risk mitigation and communication; geoeducational strategies; research integrity and professional deontology; relationships between geoscientists, politicians, the mass media and the public; and the value of geodiversity, geoheritage and geoparks.
Geoscientists with greater awareness of their ethical responsibilities will be better able to put their knowledge at the disposal of society, by spreading the value of geosciences and geoeducation, especially among the young, improving the communication of their research and practice to the public and policy makers, taking care of the quality of human life, and promoting sustainable development globally.

The conveners invite abstracts on both practical and theoretical aspects of Geoethics, including case studies. The aim of the session is to develop ethical and social perspectives on the challenges arising from human interaction with natural systems, to complement technical approaches and solutions, and to help to define an ethical framework for geoscientists; research and practice in addressing these challenges.
The session is promoted by the IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics (http://www.iapg.geoethics.org).

Agreement of Collaboration IAPG-EuroGeoSurveys

The EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) and the International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG) have signed on 26 March 2015 an Agreement of Collaboration (MoA). The agreement expresses a mutual desire to co-operate on a range of themes in the field of Geoethics, in particular, the following issues:

• promotion of principles of geoethics, research integrity and professional deontology in geosciences activities among their networks;
• definition of ethical problems, also through case-studies, affecting geoscience community and organizations;
• co-organization of scientific events to disseminate concepts of geoethics, among both the professional and research communities, with particular attention to young geologists;
• production of relevant publications;
• identification of possibilities to apply for European Union funding for the development of common projects on geoethics, research integrity and professional deontology.

Both organizations will establish a liaison to ensure good information flow and cooperation.
EGS (http://www.eurogeosurveys.org/) is the organization of the Geological Surveys of Europe. At the moment 34 national Geological Surveys are members of EGS. EGS promotes the contribution of geosciences to European Union affairs and action programs to publish, or see its Members publishing, expert, neutral, balanced and practical pan-European technical advice and information for the European Union Institutions.

Geoethics in Engineering Geology

Luis Ignacio González de Vallejo is the new IAPG ‪Corresponding Citizen Scientist for the topic "Geoethics in Engineering Geology".

Luis is Honorific Professor of Engineering Geology at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Spain. Director of the MSc. Courses in Engineering Geology at UCM (from 1990 to 2008). Director of the Geo-Hazard Division of the Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias. 
E.B. Burwell Award 2013 of the Geological Society of America (GSA) in Engineering Geology and Environment; XXVII Manuel Rocha Lecture 2010 of the Portuguese Geotechnical Society and the Universidad Nova de Lisboa; II Ing. Ruiz Vazquez Memorial Lecture 2007 of the Academy of Engineering of Mexico. Honorific Member of the Rock Mechanics Society of Spain. Honorific Geologist of the Institution of Chartered Geologist of Spain (Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Geologos - ICOG).
Chairman of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC3) on Education and Training in Geo-Engineering of the Federation of International Societies in Geo-Engineering ISSMGE, ISRM, IAEG (from 2006 to 2010). Member of the International Committee of Experts of the United Nations (UNDRO) for the reduction of seismic risk in the Mediterranean Region. Member of the Spanish Committee on Earthquake-Resistance Codes (from 1984 to 1988).
Associate Editor of the international journal "Soils and Rocks" and member of the Editorial Committee of the "Revista de Geología Aplicada de Argentina" and the "Boletín Geológico y Minero de España". 
He has published 9 books and more than 160 papers in national and international journals and conference proceedings. He has given lectures in 32 universities and institutions from Europe and America.

Read more on the other IAPG Corresponding Citizen Scientists at http://www.iapg.geoethics.org/organization/corr.

Geo-education and Teaching Geoethics

David Mogk is the new IAPG ‪Corresponding Citizen Scientist for the topic "Geo-education and Teaching Geoethics".

David is Professor of Geology and former Head of the Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University. He is a metamorphic petrologist by training, with research interests in genesis and evolution of Archean continental crust, mid-crustal petrogenetic processes, and spectroscopy of mineral surfaces. He has worked in mineral exploration for precious, base and industrial minerals, and has also worked on environmental remediation of mine sites. For the past 25 years he has worked to promote excellence in geoscience education He was program officer in NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education; Chair of GSA’s Education Division; worked to establish the Digital Library for Earth Science Education and the National Science Digital Library; is currently co-PI of the On the Cutting Edge Program for geoscience faculty professional development; has served on the EarthScope and EarthChem advisory boards; was a panelist on NRC Board On Science Education panels on Integrating Research and Education in Biocomplexity Projects, Promising Practices in STEM Education, and Discipline-Based Education Research; and is co-editor of GSA Special Paper volume on Earth and Mind: How Geologists Think and Learn About the Earth and Field Geology Instruction: Historical Perspectives and Modern Approaches. For the past couple of years he has led the initiative in the United States to promote Teaching Geoethics Across the Geoscience Curriculum.

Read more on the other IAPG Corresponding Citizen Scientists at http://www.iapg.geoethics.org/organization/corr.

The IAPG is an Associate Society of the GSA

The IAPG has been recognized as an Associate Society of The GSA - Geological Society of America.

The Geological Society of America (http://www.geosociety.org/) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the geosciences. The Society was founded in Ithaca, New York, USA, in 1888 by some of the great geologists of the time, including James Hall, James Dwight Dana, and Alexander Winchell, who were members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. GSA is the first enduring society for the geosciences in America. The management of the Society's affairs is under the control of its elected officers (Executive Committee and Council). 
In 1968, GSA Headquarters offices moved from New York to Boulder, Colorado.
GSA is an expanding global membership society with more than 25,000 members in more than 100 countries. Thirty percent of its members are students. The Society's primary activities are organizing scientific meetings and conferences and publishing scientific literature. Other activities include disbursing research grants, operating an employment matching and interview service, honoring outstanding scientific contributors with medals and awards, assisting teachers in geoscience education, and fostering public awareness of geoscience issues.
The Society has seven regional Sections throughout the world: the new International Section plus six in North America: Cordilleran, Rocky Mountain, North-Central, South-Central, Northeastern, and Southeastern. Sections have their own management boards and conduct their own yearly meetings. 
Eighteen specialty Divisions, which any GSA member may join, generally meet at the GSA Annual Meeting. Most Divisions have their own newsletters, which are published at various times throughout the year.
A number of Associated Societies often meet in conjunction with the GSA Annual Meeting and assist in developing the scientific program, thus ensuring a broad range of topics.
In 1980, the Geological Society of America Foundation was established to receive and administer contributions in support of GSA's mission. 

A recent evolution at the Society has resulted in an energized collaboration, Education & Outreach, that links established GSA education and outreach programs, teaching awards, professional development, student development, research grants.

More information about the IAPG affiliations and agreements:

http://www.iapg.geoethics.org/organization/aa

The IAPG section of Greece

We welcome the IAPG section of Greece! 

Gerassimos Α. Papadopoulos

The section will work under the responsibility of Gerassimos Α. Papadopoulos, Research Director at the Institute of Geodynamics, National Observatory of Athens.

He serviced at the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (EPPO) from 1985 to 1994 and was Adjunct Professor of Geology & Geophysics at the Dept. of Civil Engineering of the Hellenic Air Force Academy (1983-2005). 

His research interests fall in seismology and the science of tsunamis. He directed a long number of national and European research projects and published more than 150 scientific papers receiving more than 2200 citations.

He is member of the Commission on International Partnership of the American Geophysical Union and of the Steering Committee, Intergovernmental Coordinating Group, North East Atlantic and Mediterranean Tsunami Warning System/IOC/UNESCO.

Other IAPG national sections: http://www.iapg.geoethics.org/organization/na