Actions to address the recruitment crisis into Geoscience related degrees in the UK

University Geoscience UK (UGUK) represents geoscience Higher Education providers and is the advocacy group for geoscience at UK Universities.  Since 2014, student numbers enrolling on a geoscience-related degrees in the UK have fallen by 43%. The reasons for this are complex and intersectional and need further research, but anecdotal evidence suggests that the main drivers for this decline are: [1] the similar decline in numbers of school-age students studying geology (triggered by changes to national educational policy and priorities); [2] perceptions that most geologists are white males; [3] perceived barriers of cost and demands of the fieldwork elements and relevance of a geoscience degree; [4] connection with pollution from extractive industries; and [5] paucity of appropriate career advice at school level. This demise has led to a number of University courses being withdrawn and the redesign of geoscience curricula to better reflect the roles geoscientists play in today's society. UGUK, in collaboration with the Geological Society of London (GSL), published a strategy to enhance student enrolment on geoscience programs in the UK in 2019. This strategy formed the basis for  actions to address this UK-wide (and indeed, global) problem. These are described by key themes around diversity and accessibility, linkages between schools and universities, educational routes in association with industry, and influencing policy: 

• University diversity and accessibility in geoscience. Geoscience lacks diversity and has a reputation for being inaccessible to marginalised groups and those with diverse needs.  UGUK has developed and is running a series of EDI-focused webinars to help Schools and Universities tackle subjects such as inclusive fieldwork, racism in Geoscience and decolonising the curriculum.
• University links with Schools. Geoscience appears across the school curriculum but is not necessarily recognised as such and in these cases is often taught by those with little or no experience of the subject. Our newly developed “TEACH EARTH” portal on the UGUK Website Earth Science provides non-geoscience STEM teachers access to teaching materials to help them deliver the geoscience aspects of their subject. Each resource is tagged to a subject and key stage of learning to facilitate use by teachers. The resources are flagged by a logo which highlights the linkage and overlap of Earth science/geoscience/geology.
• Geoscience Industry. Additional training routes in geoscience will support and enhance the pipeline for those entering the industry. UGUK has spearheaded the successful development of a Degree Apprenticeship in Geoscience, submitted to the UK government Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) in July 2023 and approved in November 2023. Universities are now tasked with developing the new degree in conjunction with industrial partners.
• Government Policy. Raising governmental awareness of geoscience and its role in our sustainable future is critical for the future of geoscience education. UGUK are actively working with Government lobby groups associated with the geoscience sector including the Ground Forum, Construction Industry Consortium, Critical Minerals Association, and the Subsurface Taskforce. These groups have direct access to the UK Government through various working committees.