Policy update
March saw the return of the annual Voice of the Future event in Parliament, an opportunity for early career scientists to experience the work of committees and how science interacts with government policy. The Society sent six enthusiastic delegates who were treated to a full programme of committee proceedings as well as a video broadcast from British astronaut Tim Peake (pictured), currently working on the International Space Station. You can read more about this event at W: www.blog.geolsoc.org.uk.
Soil
In recent months the Society has been working on a number of consultation responses across a wide range of geoscience applications. In early 2016 we responded to an Environmental Audit Committee inquiry on Soil Health, highlighting the different ways in which soil health and geoscience intersect and the benefits that healthy soils provide to society. We also responded, in collaboration with the Royal Astronomical Society and with the help of our Geological Remote Sensing Group, to a Science and Technology Committee inquiry on Satellites and Space. Our contribution focused on the field of Earth observation and the useful ways in which satellite-based capabilities contribute to monitoring natural hazards and climate.
In response to the flooding in winter 2015/2016, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee launched an inquiry into future flood prevention. With the help of members of the Hydrogeology Group we submitted a response that highlighted the importance of considering groundwater in flood prediction and planning, and raised the issue of groundwater flooding as an often poorly understood hazard.
Following on from our work in 2015 on proposed changes to Higher Education policy we have continued to work with University Geoscience UK to respond to the Business, Innovation and Skills Department Green Paper on the proposed Teaching Excellence Framework, and more recently we responded to the Lord Stern Review of the Research Excellence Framework.
Referendum
In the run up to the EU Referendum this month (23 June) we have also put together an online resource (W:
www.geolsoc.org.uk/EuRef), highlighting work the policy team has done around this issue and linking to resources from other websites to give an idea of how the results of the upcoming referendum might impact on research and industry in geoscience.
• All the Society’s policy work can be found on the policy area of the website W: Policy and Media.