Geological Society of Australia – A strategy for the mid-21st Century
The Geological Society of Australia (GSA) is Australia’s pre-eminent geoscience society with a proud history dating back to 1952 of serving the geoscience community and promoting the status of geoscience to the Australian public. As a society, the GSA, represents all Earth Science disciplines and supports its members from students to retirees.
Much has changed since the 1950s. We now live in a world of rapidly changing societal needsforemost among them the urgent need to understand and address a changing climate and the changing and increasing demands for scarce mineral, energy and water resources, necessary for modern industries and new technologies. Geosciences continue to underpin our knowledge and understanding of the world in which we live and are critical to our future progress. So, whilst the nature of geoscientific work is rapidly evolving, the role of the geoscientist in society is as important as ever. Typically, the modern geoscientist needs to specialise in a specific geoscience discipline, and/or be skilled in the interpretation and integration of a broad range of geoscientific data sets in a continually evolving digital landscape. Additionally, there is an ongoing need to educate the community in the role and relevance of geosciences. It is vital, therefore, in order to keep in step with the needs of our members and to refresh our membership by attracting young geoscientists, that the GSA reviews its mission and priorities periodically, so that it may continue to best serve its membership and the broader Australian public into what is an uncertain future.
In this context, building upon our existing strengths and previously identified objectives, the 20182021 Governing Council has recognised the need for the Society to articulate a new decadal plan. Such a plan will provide the strategic framework for the GSA’s ongoing development in the medium term, and guide the actions and initiatives of future Governing Councils and Divisional, Branch, Standing and Specialist Group Committees to ensure that the GSA continues to provide the best and most appropriate professional support to its members.
Geological Society of Australia – A strategy for the mid-21st Century
GSA Vision: Earth Science is a driver for a better world. Mission: The Mission of the Geological Society of Australia is to promote and advance Earth Science
As a society, the Geological Society of Australia (GSA) represents all Earth Science disciplines and supports its members from students to retirees. Geosciences will continue to underpin our knowledge and understanding of the world in which we live and are critical to our future progress. The objectives of the GSA are:
1. Promote the understanding and importance of Earth Science, and advocate for the status of Earth Scientists
In 2030 the GSA will have … Regular outreach activities driven by our members (through Specialist Groups, Divisions, Branches and Standing Committees as appropriate) and will raise the profile of Earth Science and the GSA to a wider audience, leading to greater interest in our science and increased uptake in the community. To achieve this the GSA will:
• Run outreach promotions and activities (including, but not exclusively, through social media) that contribute significantly to Earth Science being recognised as a fundamental and underpinning science, and a critical component of all levels of policy and decision making.
• Work with the Australian Geoscience Council and allied organisations to strengthen our contribution of ideas, resources and strategies for teaching in primary and secondary education
• Through its GeoSites Working Group, work with the Geotourism and Geoheritage Standing Committees to develop and promote toolkits for Geotourism and Geoheritage site identification.
• Through Divisions work with the Geotourism Standing Committee to develop at least one new Geotrail each year
2. Provide professional development opportunities
In 2030 the GSA will have … Well-developed and current Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities made available through a variety of mechanisms such as GSA-led workshops and GSAapproved micro-credential activities. Our members are supported to remain at the forefront of geoscience knowledge and professional expertise and are afforded professional opportunities because of their GSA accreditation. To achieve this the GSA will:
• Improve accessibility of professional development courses for its members through organising or promoting professional development opportunities.
• Facilitate the streaming of some technical meetings and/or make available online for members to access where appropriate.
• Develop on-line courses/workshops/resources so that all members can access CPD.
• Establish a voluntary ‘member expertise database’ to encourage connections, discussion and sharing of resources
3. Build and maintain a strong and collaborative geoscience members’ community
In 2030 the GSA will have … A growing, vibrant and active geoscience community with networks that support sharing of knowledge and information. Regular regional and specialist meetings where information and knowledge is readily shared and enhanced. To achieve this the GSA will:
• Attract and retain Early Career / Mid-career geoscientists and increase their membership by 25% by 2030.
• Establish regular informal sessions for member engagement (mostly, but not exclusively) online
• Provide mentoring opportunities to connect members for both career and technical mentoring (connections primarily within Specialist Groups or Divisions)
• Review membership process and membership structure to ensure effective engagement
• Increase digital content and develop an online member’s portal for members-only content
4. Provide expert advice to policy makers as appropriate and influence decision-making processes to support geoscience education, research and employment
In 2030 the GSA will have … Proactive Standing Committees and Specialist Groups which are regularly consulted by decision makers and provide information and analysis on geoscience matters to all levels of government, their agencies and the wider community. GSA is routinely invited to
contribute meaningfully to the development of geoscience relevant policy. To achieve this the GSA will:
• Establish a voluntary ‘member expertise database’ of GSA members qualified to provide expert advice and share with relevant government departments, media outlets etc.
• Work with the AGC to contribute as domain experts for development of geoscience relevant policy or to comment on new science discoveries
• Where directed by the majority of its members, develop position papers on geoscience relevant topics
5. Communicate with and inform the Earth Science community from the local to the international level
In 2030 GSA members will be... Well informed of both GSA matters and broader geoscience news through platforms including conferences, meetings, digital publications and media. They have access across a variety of media platforms to high quality scientific literature and information led by the Society's Flagship Journal, AJES. To achieve this the GSA will:
• Continue to build on and strengthen its strong social media presence through a clear formulated social media platform strategy that may include, for example, public outreach lectures made available on-line and an on-line library of technical talks from recorded divisional seminars.
• Continue to facilitate the biennial AESC and other GSA-related events
• Develop strategies for encouraging high quality GSA publications (including AJES and Alcheringa) that may include:
o Special focus issues by Specialist Groups
o A series of special issues focussed on target regions driven by geological surveys and relevant universities.
o Social media content linked to upcoming GSA publications giving lead authors an opportunity to promote their paper.
• Build reciprocal links with counterpart organisations to promote exchanges and a global vision
6. Practise good governance and management
In 2030 the GSA will have a diverse revenue stream that maintains its financial sustainability. Its growing membership enjoys strong leadership and active Specialist Groups, Divisions, Branches and Standing Committees. The Governing Council, Specialist Groups, Divisions, Branches, Standing Committees and the GSA staff all work closely to deliver a strong and vibrant GSA that supports and strengthens Australia's geoscience community. To achieve this the GSA will:
• Strengthen the Society’s finances and ensure sound financial management by diversifying our income streams and protecting and developing existing income streams
• Champion the GSA Code of Conduct at GSA events
• Promote ethical professional conduct of its members
• Build a membership that is diverse in expertise, culture and demographics. Strategies to achieve this include:
o supporting and strengthening a range of specialist groups that are relevant to the Earth Sciences
o collecting and collating de-identified diversity data to measure and promote change with a target of >2% change per annum
o facilitating training, conference support and fieldtrips
o ensuring value in being a GSA member
o ensuring relevance to the emerging generation of Australian geoscientists
The GSA Decadal Plan was developed in 2020.
2018-2021 GSA Governing Council
Jo Parr President, NSW
Verity Normington Secretary, NT
Peter McGoldrick Treasurer, Tas
Caroline Tiddy Past President, SA
Nick Dyriw Qld
Phil Gilmore NSW
Pete Kinny WA
Anna Petts SA