COVID-19 and Geosciences: Implications, Current State and Future Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak known as the COVID-19 pandemic as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This viral disease has resulted in dramatic social responses across the world, which go beyond the impact on human health and have largely resulted in the wholescale shutdown of social activities, movement and access to services.

These responses have had a significant impact on institutions such as higher education and research organizations, especially where professional, academic and scientific activities require access to practical facilities such as laboratories and fieldwork. As COVID-19 has spread, universities and scientific institutions all around the world have shut down, suspended their work or in other ways limited their activities.

The geosciences cover a wide scope of topics and methodologies, including, notably, field and laboratory studies. Data collection, data analysis, education and outreach activities all rely on fieldwork and laboratory access. These provide a direct connection with society at different contexts, scales and levels.

Geoscience educators across the world have had to respond rapidly to this changing environment. In particular, they have had to consider options for continuing their teaching in the absence of access to fieldwork and laboratories. They have had to consider online equivalents to face-to-face teaching.

This Special Issue is focused on gathering contributions from academics, researchers and other geoscience professionals, reflecting on the responses taken or available to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Articles are invited that explore this issue from a range of perspectives and expertise, providing examples of responses and considering the implications for geosciences as a whole. Articles from the geosciences are welcome, as is commentary from a multidisciplinary perspective. 

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Field activities (e.g., geoparks, geoheritage, geotourism)
• Geoscientific research projects and programs
• Laboratory and analytical testing
• Geoeducation, geoethics and outreach
• International collaboration and cooperation
• Student internship, placement and work-integrated learning

Prof. Dr. Jesus Martinez-Frias
Prof. Dr. Bill Boyd
Dr. Mohamed Abioui
Guest Editors

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