Retired geoscientists engagement with the profession

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Cover of DB_2021-012
Date updated: 2021-04-30
Data Brief 2021-012
Written and compiled by Leila Gonzales and Christopher Keane, AGI

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Recent results from the AGI Geoscience COVID-19 Impacts study indicate that over half of retired geoscientists have been actively engaged with the geoscience profession or active with volunteer activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly three-quarters of retired geoscientists actively engaged in March 2021. Over the same period, approximately one-quarter of retired geoscientists have been inactive in their engagement in the profession or with volunteering.

DB_2021-012 chart 01: Retired geoscientists engagement with the geoscience profession or volunteering (Credit: AGI; data from AGI's Geoscience COVID-19 Survey)

Retired geoscientists engaged in a variety of activities during the pandemic, with the most common activities being research, project work, and/or consulting followed by volunteering and community outreach activities. During Fall 2020, there was increased engagement with attending online conferences, webinars, and workshops. The percentage of retired geoscientists mentoring students and colleagues increased from 11% in June 2020 to 24% in March 2021. In addition, 22% to 32% of retired geoscientist have been active with professional societies over the same time period.

DB_2021-012 chart 02: Engagement of retired geoscientists with the geoscience profession or volunteering activities (Credit: AGI; data from AGI's Geoscience COVID-19 Survey)

We will continue to provide current snapshots on the impacts of COVID-19 on the geoscience enterprise throughout the year. For more information, and to participate in the study, please visit: www.americangeosciences.org/workforce/covid19

Funding for this project is provided by the National Science Foundation (Award #2029570). The results and interpretation of the survey are the views of the American Geosciences Institute and not those of the National Science Foundation.

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