Annual meeting of the German Geological Society (DGGV) "GeoSaxonia 2024"
Dresden (Germany), 23–26 September 2024
Abstract submission (deadline: 6 May 2024): https://geosaxonia2024.de/call-for-abstracts.html
Session 13.d) "Rocks, People, Time and [epistemological] Leadership" within the Topic: 13 "Managing the Future of Earth Sciences: Data, Citizen Science, Education, Outreach."
Conveners: Martin Bohle, Jonas Grutzpalk, Dominic Hildebrand
Session description:
Adopting a broad Earth Science perspective, this session focuses on the geo-sociocultural implications of concepts of the geosciences, such as the contentious yet widely recognised term 'Anthropocene'. The professional meaning, public understanding, and daily use (by citizens, news people, or politicians) of scientific terminology often exhibit tensions. Given that Earth Sciences, including Geology, are pertinent to contemporary societies' knowledge base and associated practices, responsible sciences should care about these tensions.
For example, the notion of an 'Anthropocene' encapsulates insights into planetary-scale anthropogenic changes (PSAC). Likewise, it has sparked debate within geological circles, and (in some future) the International Union of Geological Sciences might settle it as a specific geological terminus technicus. However, geoscientific concepts like an 'Anthropocene', 'tipping points', 'deep time', etc. encompass scientific, philosophical, and cultural interpretations. Therefore, considering them to be mere professional terms seems short-sighted.
Typically, Geologists analyse Earth through the specific lens of their discipline. However, the intricate sociocultural ramifications of geoscientific concepts seem to necessitate an interdisciplinary approach. Consequently, this session highlights the multifaceted nature of (popular) geoscientific concepts. The session explores that a comprehensive understanding, e.g. of the notion of Anthropocene, requires grasping geological aspects and integrating sociocultural and philosophical considerations. Hence, the session studies the extent to which geological terminology should incorporate the cultural dimensions associated with the Earth Sciences. Specifically, the session seeks to discuss how the geological community should take leadership in defining and interpreting generic epistemic concepts associated with but going beyond their field of science.
Abstract submission (deadline: 6 May 2024): https://geosaxonia2024.de/call-for-abstracts.html
GeoSaxonia 2024 website: https://geosaxonia2024.de/
Calendar of IAPG events on geoethics:
IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: