External Relations – Meet the Team
From Fossil Festivals to government consultation responses, the Geological Society is involved in more outward facing activities than ever. As our outreach work increases, so has the external relations team – there are now eight staff members, whose work involves communicating with external audiences including policy makers, schools, journalists and members of the public. All of these activities involve close collaboration with other Geological Society staff, particularly our Library and Conference Office, as well as contributions from Geological Society Fellows.
Who we are
Nic Bilham – Director of Policy and Communications
Nic is responsible for all activities in the External Relations Department, and takes a particular interest in public policy matters and government relations. He also works with Council and Senior Leadership Team colleagues to coordinate strategy and business planning, including the Society’s new 10-year Strategy.
Eleanor Lewis – Website Administrator
Eleanor is responsible for our website content, monitoring and updating the site, administering online marketing and assisting with website implementation. She also manages and maintains our Specialist and Regional Group web pages, and produces and distributes the Society’s main biweekly newsletter.
Judi Lakin – Education Manager
Judi is responsible for our Education Department, which supports the teaching of geoscience in schools and primary and secondary level, and the Higher Education sector in collaboration with University Geoscience UK (UGUK). The department has developed a range of activities and web-based resources including our online modules The Rock Cycle, Plate Tectonics and Geology Career Pathways.
Judi also manages the Friends of the Geological Society scheme.
Elizabeth Mickiewicz – Education Officer
Liz assists Judi with developing education resources and events. She also works on the Society’s annual Geoscience Education Academy, maintains the Society’s education web pages and is responsible for the department’s design work.
Amy Ball – Education Assistant
Amy is the contact for our Schools Affiliates Scheme. She also looks after the Schools Geology Challenge and Early Careers Award, and works with Judi and Liz on our education resources and events.
Sarah Day – Earth Science Communicator
Sarah is responsible for our media relations, including writing and distributing press releases, dealing with press enquiries and publicising the Society’s activities and publications. She also manages the Society’s social media content, including our blog, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, edits the Society’s Annual Review and participates in the Society’s public outreach and education events.
Flo Bullough – Policy Officer
Flo is responsible for the Society’s policy work. This includes writing our responses to inquiries and consultations by government departments, Select Committees in the House of Commons and House of Lords and consultations by other 3rd sector bodies, in consultation with colleagues and Fellows. She also liaises with policy-related organisations of which the Society is a member, such as the Science Council and the Campaign for Science and Engineering, on events and activities.
George Jameson – External Relations Officer
George provides project management and administrative support for the team. He also works to deliver the Society’s strategic commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, assists with international matters and provides support in the administration of standing and reporting committees.
Joint projects and initiatives
The External Relations team collaborates on a range of public facing projects. High profile examples in recent years include:
- Geology for Society – a guide to the importance of geology to our society aimed mainly at policy-makers, available in 13 languages
- 100 Great Geosites – a list of 100 sites in the UK & Ireland where the public can find out more about the geology all around us
- The Rock Cycle and Plate Tectonics – web resources for Key Stage 3 and 4 (respectively) school students and their teachers
- Geology Career Pathways – a mini site offering subject information and careers advice to everyone from primary school children through to A level and university students, and to geoscience professionals building their careers
- Earth Science Week – an annual celebration of geology, featuring a range of public events run by organisations across the UK and Ireland
Where can you find us?
Members of the team have a presence at a number of events throughout the year. Some we help to organise, some we participate in, some we hold stalls at and some we attend as delegates.
Examples include: