Education, outreach, and ethics in geomorphology

Engaging the relational work of geomorphology

Professor Michele Koppes¹, Professor Gary Brierley², Dr. Clare Wilkinson³, Dr Matthew Hughes⁴

¹University Of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, ²University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, ³National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, ⁴University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand

The discipline of geomorphology has relied traditionally on focused scientific methods to understand landscape change. Such knowledge production inevitably intervenes with ongoing struggles over place-based, situated environmental explanation, as well as perceived authority to govern the environment. As we face the complex challenges of the Anthropocene, including accelerated climate change, there is an urgent need to develop ethical frameworks for research and practice that are attentive to these relations, ensuring that geomorphology becomes a science that is radically responsible to the communities and landscapes in which we work.

This discussion session will explore how geomorphology can evolve to become more inclusive and attuned to social and cultural relations. We will discuss the importance of weaving our understanding of the histories and impacts of landscape change within these relations, with the aim of reimagining geomorphological practices that are rooted in relation with the land, and that prioritize community-identified needs.

We welcome contributions that address:

Ethical considerations in collaborating with place-based knowledge holders, including Indigenous peoples
Case studies of community-rooted approaches to scientific research on landscapes, water resources, and/or geohazards
Strategies for framing research questions and methods around place-based understandings of environmental change
Reflections on how geoscientists can better understand the contexts, histories, values, and priorities of the communities in whose lands they work
The role geoethics in approaches to understanding landscapes

This session seeks to foster a community dialogue on how we create a more ethically-grounded geomorphology that respects diverse ways of knowing. By sharing experiences and best practices, we hope to contribute to the development of a more holistic and culturally sensitive approach to understanding and addressing landscape change in the Anthropocene.

Geomorphology Education for Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

Annika Froewis MEd¹, Dr. Philipp Marr¹, Prof. Thomas Glade¹

¹University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

With natural hazards increasing in frequency, extent and complexity, professionals need cutting-edge geomorphology expertise to keep communities safe. This session provides a platform to exchange information about postgraduate Master's programmes that connect advanced geomorphological science with the practical demands of state-of-the-art Disaster Risk Management. Of particular interest is the exchange on the different needs of practitioners and stakeholders, as well as the responses of tertiary institutions within academic programmes.

In principle, postgraduate Master's programmes are designed to equip practitioners with essential skills in hazard assessment, climate adaptation, and multi-hazard risk evaluation. Guided by stakeholder input, the curriculum merges classroom theory with hands-on training, integrating fieldwork, scenario-based digital simulations, and case study analyses to build a holistic understanding of geomorphic hazards and the related risks. In this way, we intend to explore how geomorphology, with all its facets, can contribute to such academic programmes aiming to provide Master's degrees for experts and professionals in the field of DRM.

This session will examine foundational DRM concepts as well as educational innovations that translate geomorphology into actionable skills - from immersive field experiences to interactive training tools that enhance real-time decision-making capabilities. We invite contributions on diverse teaching methods that address the unique challenges of DRM education, including adaptive learning strategies, digital platforms, and in-situ hazard assessments. Additionally, contributions presenting existing postgraduate MSc programmes offered by different academic institutions are highly encouraged. Together, we aim to support the development of a resilient, informed workforce prepared to meet the evolving landscape of geomorphic systems and risks, and to improve the capacity of stakeholders to make informed, knowledge-based decisions.

Geomorphology for geoconservation: innovative approaches to geoheritage analysis

Professor Jasper Knight¹, Professor Irene Bollati², Dr Mark Williams³

¹University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, ²University of Milan, Milan, Italy, ³University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Landscapes and related geomorphological dynamics are significant for their links to environmental, ecosystem services and georesources, and, as such, they have importance to human activities and cultures. This session will explore the nature of these interconnections and the ways in which landscape geological and geomorphological features and related dynamics can be assessed and monitored for geoconservation and sustainable promotion purposes. Contributions are invited to this session on the broad theme of geoheritage, geoconservation and sustainable promotion processes, innovative strategies and approaches, and possible impacts, based on examples from different geological and geomorphological contexts.

Heritage Geomorphology: a new branch of geomorphological studies? Concepts, methods and practices

Dr Lucie Kubalikova¹, Dr. Paulo Pereira², Dr. Fabien Hoblea³, Dr. Paola Coratza⁴, Dr. Marco Tulio Diniz⁵

¹Institute of Geonics of The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic, ²University of Minho, Braga, Portugal, ³Savoie University, Le Bourget du Lac, France, ⁴University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy, ⁵Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brasil

Geoheritage plays a key role in the understanding of the history of Earth and has a strict relationship with both the biological and the cultural heritage. The research on geoheritage has garnered significant interest and recognition within the scientific community over the past few decades. Geomorphological heritage is part of geoheritage, having specificities such as the aesthetics, the dynamics, and the imbrication of scales. These unique and distinctive characteristics have sustained significant interest over time from a conservation, tourism and educational perspective. Thus far, geomorphological heritage has been studied mainly within the field of cultural and social geomorphology. However, given the interdisciplinary character of geomorphological heritage, there is a need for the development of specific methods and approaches. A new branch of geomorphological studies, heritage geomorphology, can address this challenge. It can draw upon a range of techniques, including the complex characterization of geomorphological heritage, as well as methods of assessment of dynamics and risks to geomorphological heritage, its protection and management.

This session invites contributions that address conceptual approaches in heritage geomorphology, methods for assessing dynamics and risks associated with geomorphological heritage, and the practical implementation of these concepts and knowledge in the protection, conservation and management of geomorphological heritage. Contributions on methods for the quantitative assessment of geodiversity and the identification of ecosystem/geosystem services provided by landforms are also welcome.