Professor Murray Hitzman, Director of iCRAG, the SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences hosted by UCD, has been appointed Chair of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) Council for a four-year term.

The IGCP is responsible for advising the Director-General of UNESCO and the President of the International Union of Geological Sciences on the strategy, planning, and implementation of the IGCP. Members of the IGCP Council are high-level experts actively engaged in scientific research related to Earth sciences, including Global Change, Geohazards, Hydrogeology, Earth Resources, and Geodynamics.

The primary aims of IGCP are to facilitate international collaboration amongst scientists from around the world, particularly between those individuals from more industrialized and those from developing countries, in research on geological problems.  Through long-term joint research efforts, meetings, field trips, and workshops, IGCP aims to promote the use of geosciences in global issues including, but not limited to, sustainable development, the health and safety of humanity and the reduction of the adverse effects of natural disasters and resource extraction.

Full Professor of Economic Geology at UCD School of Earth Sciences, Prof Hitzman has been Director of iCRAG since 2018. Previously, he was responsible for building and directing the largest economic geology research group in the United States at the long-established and highly respected Colorado School of Mines. His key research achievements have centred on the development of new genetic models for both established and poorly understood classes of metallic mineral deposits.

Commenting on his appointment Prof Hitzman remarked: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed Chair of the IGCP. A deeper understanding of the Earth is crucial for preserving biodiversity and shaping the future of human society. UNESCO, as the sole United Nations body with a mandate to promote research and capacity building in geology and geophysics, leads this effort through its flagship initiative, the International Geoscience Programme, and I look forward to contributing to its impact.”

Welcoming the appointment Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, commented: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Professor Murray Hitzman on his new appointment as Chair of the IGCP. With an exceptional international track record of research excellence in economic geology, and success in industry engagement, Professor Hitzman’s appointment will advance understanding of the critical role of geoscience to support a sustainable society.”

The IGCP promotes collaborative projects with a special emphasis on the benefit to society, capacity-building, and the advancement and sharing of knowledge between scientists with an emphasis on North-South and South-South cooperation. IGCP operates by providing seed funding grants donated by UNESCO, IUGS, and extra-budgetary sources.

Content courtesy of iCrag.