“Telling Earth’s Story” – How to engage people in Scotland’s geology

Thursday 22 April 2021, 1-4pm

This free online conference was organised by the Scottish Geology Trust to share ideas and inspiring initiatives from Orkney to France that have successfully engaged different audiences in geology and how the Earth works. The event focussed on why it’s important to tell Earth’s story, drawing on case studies that show great examples of engaging audiences in geological sites, landscapes and climate change.

Conference Summary and Resources (pdf document)

Conference presentations on our YouTube channel

Programme:
13.00 – Welcome and introduction – why tell Earth’s story? Chair: Dr Elsa Panciroli – Leverhulme Early Career Researcher at Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Associate Researcher at National Museums Scotland, and Trustee for the Scottish Geology Trust.

13.10 – ‘Lemptégy – opening the heart of a volcano to all’ – Professor Benjamin van Wyk de Vries, Université Clermont Auvergne, France.

13.35 – ‘An island story: engaging the local community.’ Katy Firth, Stromness Museum, Orkney.

14.00 – ‘Engaging people in climate change’ – Dr Hermione Cockburn, Scientific Director in Public Engagement at Dynamic Earth.

14.25 – 10 minute break

14.35 – What are we already doing in Scotland? – Angus Miller, Engagement lead, Scottish Geology Trust.

14.50 – Breakout room workshops – we will have three breakout rooms on the themes:
– Engaging visitors and the general public
– Engaging the local community
– Engaging people in climate change
You are free to join any room where we will facilitate discussions on best practice and seek to find opportunities for activities and engagement in Scotland.

15.30 – Wrap up and thank you.

This conference is aimed at Scottish Geology Trust members and volunteers, and representatives from community and partner organisations – anyone who is interested in discussing how we tell Earth’s story for different audiences. The idea is that people will be inspired to think about projects in their own areas, and also will meet people and make connections at the conference that will help them put ideas into practice.