Leicester academic highlights how science can make a difference

The far reaching implications of geosciences - including  storing nuclear waste and generating income through mining that leads to positive and sustainable development in poor countries - are to be explored in a public lecture at the University of Leicester.

Professor Michael Petterson from the University of Leicester’s Department of Geology will be delivering his inaugural lecture entitled, ‘Making a Difference: Applications of Geoscience Around the World’ on Tuesday 19 January. This lecture is free and open to the public and begins at 5.30pm in Lecture Theatre 1, Ken Edwards building.

Geoscience involves understanding how the Earth works as a planet, both now and in the past. It also looks at the distribution and significance of rocks, minerals, fossils, structures and mountain belts. In applying geosciences to real-world problems, Professor Petterson’s lecture will: tackle the role of geosciences in combating natural hazards; explain how geoscience has had an impact in Afghanistan; and discuss the issue of storing nuclear waste.

“It is a great privilege and honour to be awarded a Professorship at the University of Leicester and share my experiences with the public through an inaugural lecture. I hope the audience will gain a little more understanding of the complex challenges our world faces and how each of us can make a contribution - in my case through my knowledge area, applied geoscience.

“Within the lecture, I will define geosciences and how its application assists humans and our planet. I will focus on some specific examples to illustrate the argument that science and context maximises the chances of impact and success, for example storing nuclear waste in Cumbria, addressing hazards related to a volcano and involving local communities in the SW Pacific, and finding ways in which geosciences can help in Afghanistan.”

Professor Petterson has previously headed a £4M project funded by DfiD (Department for International Development) in Afghanistan, where he gained a firsthand insight into how geosciences can play a role in the war-torn country. He led a team which focussed on strengthening institutions linked to mining and generating income through peaceful means.

Professor Petterson joined the University in April 2009 as Chair of Applied and Environmental Geoscience. He said:

“The deeper our understanding of planet Earth as a whole system with all its links and feedbacks between oceans, rocks, continents and atmosphere, the more equipped we become to understand how to limit damaging human impacts. For example geology teaches us how the Earth’s climate has varied in past times and can explain why changes occur, helping us predict future impacts and suggesting ways to mitigate the negative.”

These themes will be discussed through the presentation of examples from the UK, the South Pacific and Asia where geosciences have been applied to make a positive difference in the search for lasting environmental solutions. Philosophical questions such as: how can we measure ‘making a difference’? will also be explored.

The one-hour inaugural lecture is taking place on Tuesday 19 January at 5.30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Ken Edwards building.

Provided by University of Leicester