Advancing technology in geoscience

How can we ensure technology still serves science and humanity?

This September marked 70 years since the first commercially available hard disk drive was released, and it is truly incredible to look back and see how far technology has advanced in those 70 years. Alongside the advancements that have revolutionised our science, however, sits a more concerning question. How can we ensure that human curiosity, creativity and critical thinking remains in charge as technological innovations continue to accelerate? That question was at the heart of this month's EGU Geolog post by Asmae Ourkiya on whether technology still serves science. EGU's Simon Clark also spoke with Luigi Bianco, incoming Early Career Scientist (ECS) rep for the Geosciences Instrumentation and Data Systems (GI) Division, about managing uncertainty in data science and how you can get involved with the EGU's GI Division. Talking about the challenges of his field, he said, "We look where naked eyes cannot see; it is not a simple task, but a necessary one. The success depends not only on the quality of the data or the performance of the algorithm, but also on the amount of different information gathered from different branches of the geosciences community." Read the full interview here.

The EGU Peer Support training workshop on 28 October is now open for registrations, apply here. The EGU Outreach Committee are seeking a consultant to help establish a new mentoring scheme outside of the General Assembly peer support scheme, submit your proposal by 16 October. Finally, session proposals for EGU27 are now closed, but stay tuned for the announcement of the opening of the call for abstracts at the end of October 2026.

Join October's Science for Policy Hangout

Don't miss next month's Science for Policy Hangout at 14:00 CEST on Monday 5 October, with Anna Pellizzone, tcitizens’ and stakeholder engagement expert at the Giannino Bassetti Foundation and scientific advisor at the Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources of the Italian National Research Council (CNR). 

Anna will discuss her experiences and how responsible innovation needs meaningful interaction between science and society. She will also present a specific case study for discussion; a social-scientific research project focused on assessing the public perception of geothermal energy in the Aeolian Islands. There will also be time for participants to ask questions and virtually mingle. Register here.

Stay up to date with EGU's policy events calendar

The EGU's external science for policy events calendar is regularly updated with events and webinars that may be of interest to EGU members wanting to engage in specific policies or more generally in the science-policy interface. These events either discuss various scientific areas within a policy context or explicitly focus on knowledge brokerage, science advice, and the science-policy ecosystem.

Feel free to check the calendar out here! You are also welcome to use the meeting submission form if you are interested in adding other events that you think are relevant."

Don't miss out on all the current Science for Policy news in Europe, subscribe to the EGU Science for Policy Newsletter! Read the September issue, here:

"The integrated dataset demonstrates the value of combining electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and field geology in a volcaniclastic Andean setting while also defining the limitations imposed by survey coverage, inversion non-uniqueness, seasonal hydrological variability, and incomplete archival documentation of the custom instrumentation.."

Mayacela-Salazar et al (2026) Integrated electrical resistivity tomography and geological characterization of the upper San José de Aloburo landslide, Pimampiro, Imbabura Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems

EGU funds Early Career Scientist (ECS) experience in European policy-making with MEP4ECS event

This summer the first ever Model European Parliament for Early Career Scientists (MEP4ECS) event took place in Brussels, involving Early Career Scientists from across Europe. Funded by EGU through the Special Activtiy Fund and organised by Fondazione ISSNOVA, the event gave participants the chance to learn about European policymaking on the theme of 'the role of science in supporting European climate change adaptation policy'. Read more about the experience here!

EGUwebinar: How to communicate scientific significance and quality in your publications

How are terms like scientific quality and significance used to asses publictations? In this EGUwebinar from last year, Ken Carslaw, Executive Editor of the EGU journal ACP, described how journals interpret indicators of quality and how you can effectively use them in your publications. 

EGUwebinar: Beyond SciComm 101: Building Environmental Science-Policy Dialogue – Is Science Up For Negotiation?

How can scientists share their expertise in multilateral environmental negotiation on climate change? In this EGUwebinar at 11:00 CEST Monday 5 October, Axel Eriksson (UN Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change) will introduce multilateral environmental negotiations, why science is important and how scientist can take part in supporting evidence-based decision-making. Register here, today.

EGU 2026 workshops: science communication and ECS career development!

Each year EGU Committees sponsor professional workshops in a range of subjects that are FREE for EGU members to attend. This year we have several workshops so choose the one that interests you and register now!

Lights, camera, geoscience read more and register here.

Navigating your research career - strengths, strategy and sustainability read more and register here.

Beyond attendance; an introduction to evaluation and assessment of informal science learning read more and register here.

Presenting with impact; engaging public audiences in Earth, planetary and space science read more and register here.

EGUwebinar: Research Support with Galileo Services and Applications for Geoinformation

Want to start the academic year with an introduction to Galileo and its services for geospatial users? Join this EGUwebinar at 12:00 CEST 27 October, to learn more about how Galileo services can support high-accuracy positioning, geospatial data collection and a wide range of Earth science and geoinformation applications. Register here, today.

Communicating uncertainty in science : A pandemic of uncertainty?

Geolog, the Union’s official blog

From the Lab to the Open Air: The Struggle of Making Sensors That Don’t Lie

Geosciences Instrumentation and Data Systems Division blog

Climate of the Past at 20: Celebrate Open and Collaborative Paleoclimate Science With Our Webinars!

Geolog, the Union’s official blog

Genesis: One Satellite to Bring Four Geodetic Techniques Together

Geodesy Division blog

Bridging the Gap: How Virtual Reality is Helping the Next Generation of Geoscientists

Geodynamics Division blog

Challenges in accessibility and code quality of the climate models that underpin our understanding of climate change

Climate: Past, Present and Future Division blog

The Geodynamics Awakens: Star Wars Planets and Earth’s Geological History

Geodynamics Division blog