Chapter 16 - The key groups of interest in geoscience for sustainability

Abstract

In any geoscience project, there are multiple stakeholders to communicate with and win over. Getting to know who is relevant to advance a project and what you do as a business, an academic course, innovative entrepreneurship, or a profession, is not only relevant but particularly crucial in geoscience. The key players, often called “stakeholders,” influence the activities and initiatives that geo-organizations advance. At the same time, the stakeholders are influenced by what these organizations do. When the concept of “stakeholders,” “interest groups,” or “key players” is applied to geoscience, understanding their needs and concerns enables and empowers practitioners to develop strategies to engage them effectively, gain their buy-in for collaboration, and lead them toward more sustainable and mutually beneficial outcomes. Furthermore, the identification and understanding of geoscience stakeholders may help professionals anticipate and smartly address risks, mitigate current conflicts, and enhance their ability to function, progress, and sustain not only their careers but also future careers in geoscience fields. In this chapter, we will take a pragmatic approach to explore how an understanding of who the geoscience stakeholders are and how they could support the resilience of the discipline, empower its application for sustainability goals, and expand the appeal of geo-professions in younger generations for innovative and collaborative purposes.