Geoscience will play a major role in addressing some of the fundamental societal and economic challenges of the 21st Century. But delivering on that responsibility requires geoscientists from industry, academia and government to work together to convey effectively why many of the most pressing issues matters are fundamentally geological in nature. To do that, geoscientists need to learn how to recast their knowledge and technical advice in forms that are appropriate and relevant for politicians, civic and commercial decision makers (e.g. planners) and the wider public.

This session will explore the challenges of communicating the controversial and high-profile geoscience topics that are increasingly discussed in Europe, critique current practice and propose new strategies for public engagement in contested geoscience. We invite participants from across all sectors, including industry and government, to submit abstracts on the communication of new and controversial geological topics (geothermal power, carbon capture and storage or CCS, oil and gas extraction, radioactive waste disposal, etc) within the informal, non-formal and adult engagement sectors, including issues of risk perception, trust, the role of experts and public understanding of science.