About the Meeting

The purpose of this meeting is to bring together scientists and administrators from many sectors to identify bridges with the geosciences that will allow us to enhance international and intercultural collaboration.  We hope to provide answers to these two questions:

  • What specific actions can this group of diverse stakeholders take now to improve collaboration, increase transparency, and provide a framework on how the geosciences can benefit the public good?
  • Can we structure a model of how development/re-development in the geosciences can be facilitated that is applicable to many situations and locations and that adequately addresses human health, social justice, environmental health, and natural resource issues?

The intent of the meeting is to bring together people who can share their insight and experiences to cultivate innovative solutions. We will meet, share, and interact in an Idea Expo environment where everyone can present a poster, which highlights relevant case studies, creative solutions, or informative background information. For this meeting, we are breaking away from the traditional model of scientific presentations and instead using the Idea Expo and workshops to capitalize on the creative expertise in the room and foster conversations and strategies.

Why you should contribute. 

  1. This is your opportunity to share your story. What are your biggest accomplishments, or barriers, on bridging geoscience and policy?  What insights can you share to or gain from your fellow attendees?
  2. Collectively, we will work toward answers for these big-picture questions by addressing issues and deficits at a smaller scale first, building upon our individual experiences and wisdom.
  3. We anticipate publishing a summary that will capture the stories and ideas presented and discussed throughout the meeting

During the theme workshops, we will share experiences and insights to identify the barriers to better collaboration and what we must change to address the common good.  We’ll consider:

  • How we can work better locally or regionally to effect positive change.
  • How can we work together across borders more effectively.
  • What the economic benefits will be from addressing these problems.
  • What we can do to advance social justice and ethical activity.
  • What policy/regulatory changes will be necessary, and who will need to make them.
  • How we can finance work beyond a business-as-usual approach.

Which theme you choose is not important; they are broad on purpose.  What is critical is your contribution to the whole.  We don’t expect you to stay with one theme for the entire time; instead, we encourage you to move around to see what others are thinking.