Geoscientists in all areas of the geoscience profession are called upon to provide expert services and opinions. These services and opinions are relied upon by employers and the public to make key decisions; decisions which affect business, the general public good, and the environment. It is essential that those geoscientists providing the services and opinions are providing them at a professional level; incorporating:
Sound geoscience knowledge and application of theory
Exceptional ethics; and
Good judgement; providing services and opinions only in the areas of geoscience in which they are competent.
Regulated professional geoscientists today are held accountable through legislated Codes of Ethics and Complaints and Discipline processes. Other learned geoscience organisations also often have a Code of Ethics and a discipline process, although not legislated. Whether regulated or not, the opinions and services of today’s geoscientists greatly affect the public and the environment, and therefore all geoscientists strive to achieve a high level of professionalism.
Professional geoscience today is committed to the highest ideals of ethics and public protection. Today’s geoscience professionals are highly educated and trained in the Earth sciences – the understanding and application of geoscience knowledge and theory.
Read moreThe Earth is a dynamic and productive planet which exists in a delicate balance of systems. It offers incredible opportunities, but also presents many dangers; some of which are our own making.
Read more
Geoscience professionals are dedicated to practising sound, knowledgeable, and ethical geoscience and to protecting the public interest. To accomplish these goals many professional geoscience bodies, both legislated and voluntary, as well as learned societies and organizations in the various geoscience topic areas, have come into existence over the years.
Read moreGeoscience professionals are called upon by employers, government bodies, special interest groups, and lawyers, among others, to provide geoscience opinion which will affect their employers, markets, the public, other geoscientists and the environment. In order to provide guidance to geoscience professionals, various geoscience bodies have created Codes of Ethics.
Read more
Most geoscience professionals who are members of a professional organisation or society are subject to a Complaints and Discipline process should that member act unethically, irresponsibly or without the appropriate knowledge. The results of this process are dependent on the authority that the body holds.
Read more