GSA’S ROLE IN BUILDING A HEALTHY GEOSCIENCE ENTERPRISE

Professional societies play an important role in changing the culture in science. GSA, which collectively reflects its 23,000 members, is at the forefront of leading changes in the culture that are needed to achieve this goal, joining collective efforts among federal agencies, Congress, universities, and industry. GSA members have endorsed position statements that support Rewarding Professional Contributions in the Public Spheres, Diversity in the Geoscience Community, and Removing Barriers to Career Progression for Women in the Geosciences. In the later position statement (2018), GSA “affirms the pressing need for a change in professional culture so that all people are welcomed, supported, and thrive in the geoscience profession.” As noted in the Diversity in the Geoscience Community position statement, “Diverse perspectives are important and necessary for responsible, effective, decision‐making and leadership. Other benefits of a diverse profession include increased options in attracting the best and brightest minds into the field and communicating with and educating the public …The geosciences have an important service function, and the ability of GSA to serve will be enhanced through the active, engaged participation of a diverse membership.” In addition to its programs that directly link geoscientists and policymakers, GSA encourages higher learning institutions to recognize the value of engagement in geoscience public policy, education, and research on teaching and learning and “include these areas when establishing criteria for recognition, evaluation, advancement, promotion, and granting tenure.“ (Rewarding Professional Contributions in Public Spheres). GSA’s new decadal-scale strategic plan highlights the importance of nurturing a diverse geoscience community and linking geoscience to society. Over the next decade, GSA will use this plan, and its revised professional ethics policies, to build upon its activities to foster a diverse geoscience community, support the next generation of geoscientists, and actively connect and encourage the link between geoscience to society.