Andreas Pfaffhuber, Chair of the Environment, Minerals, and Infrastructure Circle in the EAGE Board, introduces a renaming initiative.
Two years ago, EAGE began a strategic transformation to better align with the rapidly evolving challenges faced by the geoscience community and society at large. The introduction of Circles, replacing traditional Divisions, marked a shift toward greater agility, inclusiveness, and inter-disciplinary collaboration. This model has already proven effective in engaging new stakeholders and expanding our collective impact.
As part of this evolution, we are pleased to announce that the Near Surface Geoscience Circle will now continue its mission under a new name – the Environment, Minerals, and Infrastructure Circle (EMI).
The new name reflects more than just a broadened scope, it signals a renewed commitment to addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time. The EMI Circle will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and outreach across areas vital to a growing global population. These include sustainable infrastructure development, mitigation of natural hazards intensified by the climate crisis, and the responsible management of water and soil resources.
In addition, EMI embraces the increasing demand for critical minerals, resilient infrastructure, and efficient geotechnical risk reduction, all of which are central to the energy transition and sustainable technological development. The Circle also addresses challenges related to UXOs (unexploded ordnance), contaminated ground, mining engineering, groundwater characterisation, and even archaeological geoscience.
To maximise impact, EMI will actively reach out to industry stakeholders, including those who may not yet be aware of the solutions geoscientists can provide. The intention is to help bridge gaps between scientific innovation and practical application.
By clearly marking the role that geoscience plays in managing and mitigating environmental and societal challenges, EMI aims to raise awareness of the discipline’s value not only among professionals, but the broader public. We hope to elevate the relevance of geoscientists and inspire greater interest in the geo disciplines and STEM fields more broadly.
We invite all members – current and prospective – to engage with EMI, contribute their expertise, and help shape this exciting new chapter in EAGE’s journey.
