Higher Education

This set of survey results explores into the expectations for how the geoscience academic programs will evolve over the next decade, and focuses on changes in instructional methods, collaborative research, academic research experiences, and the role of tenure and peer-reviewed publications in academic careers. The findings highlight an expected shift towards innovative teaching methods, the importance of multidisciplinary and diverse collaboration in research, and the evolving standards for academic success in geoscience education.

Geoscience instruction

Survey participants commented on the current teaching modalities used within the earth sciences and emphasized practical applications, field work, and a mix of online and in-person instruction. Looking ahead to 2035, participants mentioned that they expect to see integration of more interactive and virtual methodologies for teaching methodologies, though some expect the persistence of traditional classroom models. Comments related to content and curriculum centered around environmental issues and multi-disciplinary approaches. Fieldwork activities were frequently mentioned as integral to geoscience instruction. In addition, early career participants anticipated the use of advanced technologies such as augmented and virtual reality, remote sensing, big data analytics, for teaching earth science concepts in 2035. Early-to-mid career participants expected changes to educational standards, including requirements for earth science education outside of the major (e.g., K-12 education), as well as within the major, such as mandatory lab and field skills.

Collaborative research projects

Survey participants highlighted various factors key to collaborative academic research projects. Early career participants emphasized the need for ensuring diverse and equitable participation, well-defined research focus, and logistical considerations such as funding, authorship, and career advancement. Early-to-mid career participants focused on the societal and scientific impact of the projects and stressed the importance of diverse participation and perspectives. Comments from late career participants were distributed relatively evenly across the categories.

Looking forward to 2035, comments across cohorts emphasized importance of diverse participation, including representation from other institutions, countries, local communities, other disciplines, and non-academic organizations. Some participants noted the growing role of technology such as virtual communication platforms and artificial intelligence in research collaborations. Climate-related topics, natural hazards, energy and raw materials production, and environmental remediation were frequently mentioned as expected focuses of collaborative projects in 2035.

Research experiences and course taking

When asked about research experiences needed for a successful academic career, participants across cohorts identified a range of important skills, with research skills being universally emphasized. Early and mid-to-late career participants highlighted the value of applied experiences, while field skills were most frequently noted by mid-to-late and late career participants. Early-to-mid career participants focused on the importance of core geoscience skills. In addition to research experiences, participants identified key courses outside of earth science departments that are important for students, including social science, math, communication, and computer science.

Tenure and peer-reviewed publications

Participants were asked to about both the importance and relevance of tenure status and peer-reviewed publications to earth science academic careers. The relevance of tenure status on earth science academic careers was more positively viewed by mid-to-late and late career cohorts than it was by early and early-to-mid career cohorts, but the importance of tenure status on earth science academic careers was viewed positively by most participants across cohorts. In contrast the relevance and importance of peer-reviewed journal publications in earth science academic careers was viewed positively by participants across cohorts.

What types of modalities will be used to teach earth science in 2025?
How will earth science be taught in 2035?
Classification of repsonses by major and minor categories
Major Category Minor Category Description
Teaching Methodology Interactive Techniques Involves hands-on activities, demonstrations, field trips, etc.
Traditional Classroom Standard classroom-based lectures, textbook-focused teaching, etc.
Online Learning Use of online platforms, virtual classrooms, e-learning materials, etc.
Technology Integration Advanced Technologies Use of AI, VR/AR, big data analytics, remote sensing, etc.
Basic Digital Tools Use of computers, basic software tools, educational apps, etc.
Content and Curriculum Data Science and Analysis Emphasis on teaching data interpretation, statistics in earth science, etc.
Environmental Focus Topics on climate change, sustainability, ecosystem impacts, etc.
Multidisciplinary Approach Integration with other sciences, arts, and humanities.
Accessibility and Inclusion Global Reach Efforts to make earth science education accessible worldwide, including developing regions.
Diverse Learning Needs Tailoring education to various learning styles and capabilities.
Educational Settings Field Work Emphasis on learning through real-world exploration and data collection.
Institutional Programs Specific programs offered by educational institutions, like workshops or specialized courses.
Policy and Regulation Educational Standards Changes in educational standards or curriculum requirements.
Government and Institutional Support Policy changes, funding, and support for earth science education.
Other Other Other comments not elsewhere categorized.
How will earth science be taught in 2035?
Considerations for collaborative academic research projects.
Mid-to-late career responses not included because of low sample size.
Classification of repsonses by categories
Category Description
Collaboration Dynamics Encompasses aspects of how collaboration is structured and functions, including "across different institutions", "team building", and "roles for all".
Communication & Interpersonal Skills Focuses on the importance of communication and relationships within collaborative settings, such as "clear communication", "community solutions", and "mutual understanding".
Diversity & Inclusivity Concerns about ensuring diverse and equitable participation, including "diverse participants", "justice centered", and "use of retired individuals".
Impact & Relevance Emphasizes the societal and scientific impact of the research, such as "addressing societally relevant problems", "societal relevance", and "publications should use best practices".
Innovation & Creativity Focuses on the creativity and novelty aspects in research, for example, "creativity", "free thinking", and "novel approaches".
Logistical Considerations Includes practical and administrative aspects of collaboration, like "funding", "authorship", and "career stages".
Research Scope & Focus Covers responses related to the subject and depth of the research, like "climate change", "biology/ecology", and "geopolitics".
What will collaboration on academic research projects look like in 2035?
Types of research experiences needed for a successful academic career.
Types of courses offered outside of earth science academic department that are important for students to take.
The relevance of tenure status on earth science academic careers.
The importance of tenure status on earth science academic careers.
The importance of peer-reviewed journal publications in earth science academic careers.
The relevance of peer-reviewed journal publications in earth science academic careers.

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