The University of Plymouth is launching a global initiative aimed at enhancing awareness of the role geoscience can play in addressing some of society’s greatest challenges.
Professor Iain Stewart, Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute, has successfully applied to create a UNESCO Chair in Geoscience and Society based at the University.
His role will be to support academics from earth sciences, psychology, education and the arts to undertake work in India, South America and other parts of the world, developing expertise in disaster risk reduction, geo-energy, resource management and environmental degradation.
It will also be to establish new research partnerships and links with professionals in the energy, mining and construction sectors, while enhancing geoscience awareness among communities and the general public.
The initiative, which links to several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, will be formally launched in June when Professor Stewart delivers the inaugural Sterling Lecture during Sustainable Earth 2018 – an annual international conference taking place at the University.