Of geology and shelf-stacking | Nic Bilham

Iain Duncan Smith think he knows that the race continues our supermarkets - but do you really know what scientists

Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, was interviewed on the Andrew Marr program on Sunday, return to work plan of the government. Referring to the case of Cait Reilly, a graduate of geology who had challenged the government on the legality of his work in Poundland, Duncan Smith said: "There is a group of people out there who think they are too good for this kind of thing "and that" the next time someone comes - the smart people who say that there is something wrong with that - they enter your store, simply ask yourself this question when they can find the food they want on the shelves, which is the most important - they, geologist, or the person stacking shelves "

The Geological Society issued a press release the next day, more puzzled than angry, highlighting the important role played by geologists at different stages of the food chain - a point that seems to have occurred to IDS increase its unfortunate rhetorical question.

Many of our members are met, had responded. One or two thought we were unnecessarily defensive. After all, had not said that IDS platform stackers were more important than geologists, period, or that all geologists considered above stacking shelves. If the degree Reilly was in a discipline other than geology, would surely have made comparisons between trucks and chemicals platform, historians or anyone else. And, of course, were not to suggest that those who stack the shelves are less important than geologists. Both are necessary to ensure that the food we take for granted in our hands when we visit the supermarket. So why do we take the bait?

The Secretary of State for choice of words suggests that it has a fairly narrow concept of what geologists actually do, and why their job is useful to society. As the Council of Science "10 types of scientific" project demonstrated, most scientists do not spend their lives working in laboratories far dealing with intellectual challenges of everyday life, it is the impression of many people and shape their assumptions about what kind of people are scientists and career options available to them. geologists are working to develop an understanding of our planet, so that you can better prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural disasters and environmental changes. They help locate and produce a wide range of resources that the UK population and industry depend on water, energy and minerals (needed for fertilizer, building materials, metals for high-tech applications and much more). Their work is essential to the delivery of important services such as the management of waste we produce, the construction of buildings, roads and other infrastructure projects, and the restoration of environmental problems, including cleaning of land contaminated industrial purposes. Doing all this also generates a lot of economic wealth.

• To meet these needs in the future, it is essential to continue to attract talented and enthusiastic people to study and pursue a career in geology - people from all backgrounds, who have not afraid to get their hands dirty and wants to solve real problems. IDS implied slight to geologists will not stop these efforts in their tracks, but if it perpetuates a narrow view of what geologists do and how they are not likely to help someone. It also runs the risk of concealing the real concern in some sectors of the industry on skills shortages and future geoscience specialties such as hydrogeology, geology and geophysics - areas in which employers generally require applicants to have least a master
• According to the report of the Commission on Higher Education in the postgraduate noted between the various reforms, the government has implemented simultaneously in higher education has paid little attention to impact these changes may have on the provision and access to higher education, including Masters programs taught.

Research support these programs

board was removed. Students who graduate with debt levels than their predecessors may be less likely to take another year of study and debt, especially in the form of student loans are not available to control oneself than those who do not can afford to pay in advance of the commercial interest rates. This is more likely to discourage disadvantaged students study. Given the financial pressures on higher education has led to the closure of some specialized masters programs geoscience, and if the supply of UK students continue to decline, it can get worse.

challenged geology is a unique discipline, cut the basis of comments by Mr Duncan Smith negligent? Of course not. Had also challenged any other branch of science, their community would certainly have been as capable as we demonstrate their value to the economy and society, and to highlight some of the pressures facing. IDS is unlikely to be the only minister whose conception of what scientists do is limited, however - and this is a challenge for all of us

Find best price for : --Duncan--