INCREASING DIVERSITY IN THE GEOSCIENCES – IT’S NOT JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO, IT’S THE SMART THING TO DO

Too many times as a young geologist I was told, “You don’t look like a geologist,” often by clients and even by my own company’s managers. I haven’t heard that comment in some years, and that speaks to the fact that more and more women are studying geology and going on to careers in the field. The face of a geologist isn’t necessarily male anymore. According to recent statistics from the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) at least forty percent of geology graduates are women. However, we are still an overwhelmingly white profession. The same AGI report indicates less than twelve percent of geology graduates identify themselves as belonging to underrepresented minority groups.

During my tenure as the 2018-2019 Jahns Lecturer, I presented a talk titled “You Don’t Look Like a Geologist – A Conversation on Diversity (or the Lack Thereof) in Our Profession.” Statistics were a starting point to discuss why there is so little diversity in our profession. There is no one reason for this deficiency. Over months of speaking with students and professionals across the U.S. a number of reasons came to light, including economic, cultural, and demographic issues. Many honest and courageous conversations took place in which we talked about what attracted us to study and work in the geosciences, and the biases and judgements we hold that might make others feel unwelcome in the profession.

Increasing diversity expands the points of view team members bring to projects, and enriches the perspectives we use to solve the geological problems facing us. There is evidence that shows that we’ll do better science if we increase diversity in our profession. We must heed that call.