AEG-GSA 2018-2019 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Applied Geology - Deborah Green, Let's Talk: A Conversation on How We Communicate about Science
Deborah Green,
Geologist Writer,
AEG-GSA 2018-2019 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer
in Applied Geology
PRESENTATION:
LET’S TALK: A CONVERSATION ON HOW WE COMMUNICATE ABOUT SCIENCE
Like members of any group with a common passion, geologists love to talk with each other about our work. That communication is important – it’s how we share the results of our research and experience and build our knowledge base as individuals and as a profession. It’s also well within our comfort zone.
There’s been a troubling shift in recent years in how scientific information is received outside of our own community, by the public and policy makers. As scientists, we must assume responsibility for at least part of the negative perceptions; we’ve separated ourselves, and in some cases talked down to our audiences, to the extent that we’ve failed to convey the importance of environmental and engineering geology. Speaking with those who don’t know or understand our geologic “language” isn’t necessarily comfortable, and doing it well certainly isn’t easy. But we need to embrace that pursuit, communicating science well, as much as we embrace the work itself. Advocating effectively for our work will make it possible to do more of the science we so value, and for society to realize that value. In this presentation, we’ll talk about the challenges of conversing with non-scientists about science, and why we must face those challenges head on.
SPEAKER BIO:
I’ve worked as an environmental and engineering geologist for 34 years in consulting and industry. For more than 20 of those years I’ve been self-employed. I discovered my love for geology as a kid when my earth science teacher father informally taught me all sorts of things about rocks on our summer camping adventures. I earned a B.S. in geology from the University of Rochester and an M.S. in engineering geology from Texas A&M University.
These days, I spend most of my work time writing. I recently completed my first novel, which is loosely based on a period in my late husband’s life when he was the Chief Foundation Geologist for a large dam in East Central Turkey from the late 1960’s to the early 1970’s. On my website, www.geologistwriter.com, you can read essays in which I strive to understand and convey the wonder of the landscape and the complexity of earth processes, while also exploring the terrain of our lives.
Other presentations by Deborah Green:
- You Don’t Look Like a Geologist– A Conversation on Diversity (or the Lack Thereof) in Our Profession
- How to Build a Geology Career You Love
- A Tale of Two Waste Sites
- Let’s Talk– A Conversation on How We Communicate about Science
- Always Book a Window Seat– The Lens Through Which We View the World as Geologists
SCHOLASTIC SPONSOR:
ANNOUNCING SCHOLASTIC SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
All Proceeds to Benefit Science Students
The GRA Sacramento Branch has a history of supporting university-level science students. Our Scholastic Sponsorship Program is an opportunity to publicize your business while contributing toward a good cause. The cost is minimal; if interested, please contact Michael Bombard at (916) 514-4458 or Michael.Bombard@ghd.com.
AGENDA:
Social Hour - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Announcements & Dinner - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Presentation - 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Usual great food, including two meat entrées, salad, rice, potatoes, vegetable and iced tea. A no-host beer and wine bar will be available.
MEETING COSTS AND RSVP:
EARLY BIRD MEETING COSTS
Members: $27.00
Non-Members: $32.00
Students: $10.00
Cancellations must be made by Noon on Monday, May 6th.
If you register after Noon on Monday, May 6th, or walk-in, a $3.00 surcharge will be added to the meeting cost.
If you have questions about the meeting, please telephone Rodney Fricke at 916-407-8539 or email him at rodneyafricke@gmail.com. For questions about Sacramento Branch in general, including submittal of your ideas and/or desires for future presentations, please telephone Linda Bond at (530) 757-1500 or email her at Linda.Bond@water.ca.gov.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:
June 12th: David Sandino, Esq., Senior Staff Counsel, California Department of Water Resources, The Disconnect Between Groundwater Legal Systems and Groundwater Hydrology: What Changes Should Be Made to Groundwater Law to Better Reflect the Physical Environment? (GRA David Keith Todd Lecturer with outreach to UC Davis)
July: Summer Event/Field Trip (TBA)
October 10th: California Regulatory Panel, State Board and DTSC, Emerging Issues
December 11th: Annual Joint GRA-AEG Holiday Meeting – 2019 NGWA McEllhiney Lecture Gary L. Hix, Drilling Disasters and What Can We Learn
2018-2019 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Applied Geology (comments by Deborah Green)
I’m happy to be named the 2018-2019 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Applied Geology. The lectureship is supported by the Environmental and Engineering Geology Division (EEGD) of the Geological Society of America (GSA) and the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG). The purpose of the lectureship is to promote student awareness of Applied Geology. It is named for Richard H. Jahns who was a professor at Caltech from 1946-1960, Pennsylvania State University from 1960-1965, and served as dean of the School of Earth Sciences at Stanford from 1965-1979. At Stanford, he established a new department, Applied Earth Sciences, blending traditional geology studies with applied aspects of the geosciences. Professor Jahns was known for his challenging field courses, his practical inclinations, his superior mapping skills, and his wit. The Jahns Lectureship has been awarded jointly by GSA and AEG annually since 1988.