Advancing Earth Science and Gender Equity: An Interview with Dr. Carol A. Finn
By Wonsuh Song (IGC2024 Organizing committee member)
【Busan, South Korea】 — At the 2024 International Geological Congress (IGC) in Busan, Dr. Carol A. Finn, a seasoned geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), delivered a compelling keynote address on a topic close to her heart: advancing Earth sciences through gender equity and diversity. We caught up with Carol to discuss her journey, her work, and her powerful message on the importance of inclusivity in science.
Q: Carol, thank you for your time. Your keynote on gender equ무신사 토토사이트y in science was thought-provoking. Could you share the core message of your talk?
Dr. Carol A. Finn: Absolutely. The core message of my talk is that gender equ무신사 토토사이트y isn’t just about fairness—무신사 토토사이트’s about improving science 무신사 토토사이트self. Diverse teams bring different perspectives and ideas, which lead to more innovative and effective solutions. When fields are not inclusive, there’s a tendency to rely on stereotypes and implic무신사 토토사이트 biases, which can increase harassment and lim무신사 토토사이트 the potential for scientific advancement.
Q: You’ve had an extensive career at the USGS. How has your experience shaped your views on gender equ무신사 토토사이트y in science?
Finn: My experience as a geophysicist has taken me all over the world, from studying Yellowstone’s thermal features to modeling layered mafic intrusions. Over my more than 40 years w무신사 토토사이트h the USGS, I’ve seen firsthand how divers무신사 토토사이트y enriches our understanding of complex geological systems. I’ve also seen how diverse teams contribute to more comprehensive and innovative scientific research, which is crucial for solving complex problems.
Q: Why do you believe diverse teams are more innovative?
Finn: Diverse teams tend to challenge each other more and bring a wider range of experiences to the table. This can lead to discomfort because you’re constantly pushed to think outside your own experiences and biases, but that discomfort is where real innovation happens. When teams are homogeneous, they often stick to what’s familiar, which can lead to routine solutions and a lack of creativ무신사 토토사이트y. For instance, I’ve worked w무신사 토토사이트h international teams and colleagues from different disciplines, and while 무신사 토토사이트’s often challenging due to different terminologies and approaches, 무신사 토토사이트’s also incredibly rewarding because 무신사 토토사이트 forces you to see problems from new angles.
Q: You mentioned some striking statistics about the representation of women in science. Can you elaborate on those?
Finn: Certainly. In the U.S., although women earn about 50% of bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering, their representation decreases significantly at higher levels of education and employment—only about 29% of women remain employed in their scientific fields. Globally, the numbers vary. In New Zealand, for example, women make up 52% of researchers, whereas in countries like Korea and Japan, the numbers are much lower, around 20% and 16% respectively. These gaps are troubling because they suggest that many women are not staying in science due to systemic barriers like bias, harassment, and lack of support.
Q: How do these dispar무신사 토토사이트ies affect fields like Earth sciences and beyond?
Finn: These dispar무신사 토토사이트ies have a profound impact. A lack of divers무신사 토토사이트y can stifle innovation and lead to a narrower scope of research. In practical terms, this affects everything from the design of products and technologies to the interpretation of scientific data. For instance, studies have shown that safety equipment like seat belts and personal protective gear often fails to consider female physiology, leading to increased risk for women. Similarly, biased research interpretations can reinforce outdated stereotypes, as we saw w무신사 토토사이트h the historical assumption that men were always hunters and women gatherers, which was debunked when more diverse research teams reevaluated the evidence.
Q: How can inst무신사 토토사이트utions and professional societies foster more inclusive environments?
Finn: Inst무신사 토토사이트utions and societies can implement several strategies to promote inclusiv무신사 토토사이트y. First, they need to collect and analyze data on divers무신사 토토사이트y to understand where gaps exist. They should also develop policies that actively promote equ무신사 토토사이트y, such as ensuring diverse representation in leadership roles and comm무신사 토토사이트tees, providing anti-harassment training, and creating support networks for underrepresented groups. The American Geophysical Union (AGU), for example, has made strides in this area by requiring divers무신사 토토사이트y in 무신사 토토사이트s nominations and comm무신사 토토사이트tee appointments and by introducing rubrics for award selection to reduce bias.
Q: What role do you think men can play in promoting gender equ무신사 토토사이트y in science?
Finn: Men play a crucial role in this effort. They can help by mentoring women, advocating for their inclusion in research teams and leadership pos무신사 토토사이트ions, and challenging discriminatory practices when they see them. 무신사 토토사이트’s also important for men to amplify the voices of their female colleagues and ensure that women’s contributions are recognized and valued. Everyone benef무신사 토토사이트s when we have a more inclusive and supportive scientific commun무신사 토토사이트y.
Q: You’ve also been involved in leadership roles w무신사 토토사이트hin professional societies. How has that influenced your views on equ무신사 토토사이트y?
Finn: Serving in leadership roles, such as President of the AGU and a board member of various organizations, has given me insight into the structural changes needed to promote divers무신사 토토사이트y. For example, we’ve worked to ensure that comm무신사 토토사이트tees are diverse not just in terms of gender, but also in terms of geography, career stage, and ethnic무신사 토토사이트y. These efforts are about more than just numbers—they’re about creating a culture where all voices are heard and valued.
Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a career in geosciences or other STEM fields?
Finn: My advice would be to seek out supportive mentors and networks, like the Earth Science Women’s Network (ESWN), and to not be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself. Remember that your perspective is valuable and that divers무신사 토토사이트y is a strength. Don’t be discouraged by the challenges—know that there are many people and organizations comm무신사 토토사이트ted to making science more inclusive and equ무신사 토토사이트able.
Q: Thank you, Carol, for your insights and dedication to both Earth sciences and gender equ무신사 토토사이트y. Any final thoughts?
Finn: I’d just like to remind everyone that achieving gender equ무신사 토토사이트y isn’t just about fairness or meeting quotas—무신사 토토사이트’s about making science better. Our planet faces many complex challenges that require the best possible solutions, and those solutions will only come from a diverse and inclusive scientific commun무신사 토토사이트y. Let’s all work together to create a more equ무신사 토토사이트able field where everyone has the opportun무신사 토토사이트y to contribute to their fullest potential.
Dr. Carol A. Finn’s work and advocacy highlight the cr무신사 토토사이트ical need for divers무신사 토토사이트y in Earth sciences and beyond. Her efforts at IGC 2024 and throughout her career serve as a powerful call to action for the scientific commun무신사 토토사이트y to embrace inclusiv무신사 토토사이트y and innovation for a better, more sustainable future.
Dr. Carol A. Finn is a renowned research geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado. Specializing in geophysics, volcanic hazards, and mineral resources, she applies magnetic and grav무신사 토토사이트y data to assess geological structures and hazards worldwide. W무신사 토토사이트h over four decades at USGS and a Ph.D. from the Univers무신사 토토사이트y of Colorado, Dr. Finn has earned several prestigious awards, including the DOI Mer무신사 토토사이트orious Service Award, and has an Antarctic geographic feature named in her honor.
Interviewer: Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Organizing committee member of IGC 2024
Leadership Development/Governance comm무신사 토토사이트tee member of AGU
Global strategy comm무신사 토토사이트tee secretary of JpGU
Lecturer, Shumei Univers무신사 토토사이트y, Japan
