ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has unveiled results of a fast-response survey that captured perspectives from the geoscience community on topics ranging from the impacts of natural hazards, higher education, research, and career pathways to the discipline's relevance to societal issues. The survey is part of AGI's Geoscience Program Adaptation to Natural Disruptive Events (GRANDE) study that is exploring how the geoscience community leverages natural hazards to expand educational and research opportunities.

Survey results provided nuanced perspectives on the current and future landscapes of the geosciences, emphasizing the discipline's evolving role in addressing disruptive events, as well as forces expected to shape the geoscience enterprise in the coming decade. Participants across career stages shared insights that illuminate key themes: the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, the integration of cutting-edge technologies in education and research, the necessity of effective communication, and the pressing need for geoscientific knowledge to inform societal decisions.

"As geoscientists, we understand the important connections between our discipline, societal resilience, and sustainability," said AGI Executive Director Jonathan Arthur. "At the same time, we recognize the significant gaps that persist in integrating geoscience knowledge into public understanding and decision-making.  If we are to effectively address concerns such as natural hazards, resource scarcity, and climate change, we need to make even more concerted efforts in education, policy engagement, and effective geoscience communications."

Survey results also underscore the evolving role of geoscience in society, highlighting both opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. There is a mandate to assert the relevance of the field, foster interdisciplinary and inclusive collaborations, and ensure that geoscience education and research are aligned with the needs of a rapidly changing world. By addressing these priorities, geosciences can continue to make the crucial contributions to global sustainability, resilience, and well-being necessary to guide societies through the 21st century and beyond. These insights provide valuable direction for geoscientists, educators, policymakers, and stakeholders working to advance the field and its impact on society.

For more information about survey results, please view them on the GRANDE website at https://grande.americangeosciences.org/data/rapid-response-survey/

Funding for this project is provided by the National Science Foundation (Award #2223004). The results and interpretation of the survey are the views of the American Geosciences Institute and not those of the National Science Foundation.

About AGI
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of scientific and professional organizations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
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AGI Contact:
Geoff Camphire, Communications
gac@americangeosciences.org