26. Tackling Parachute Science

What does an early career researcher working on a Proterozoic Pb-Zn deposit in Namibia have in common with a senior scientist at the forefront of geothermal research in New Zealand?   Listen in to hear how passionate they both are about the negative impact of ‘Parachute Science’  - effectively dropping in and conducting research without local collaboration.  To tackle this issue, we need to work with scientists who live and work in our field areas and communicate our results with local communities. There are obvious barriers but as Halleluya Ekandjo says ‘Can we do better?  Of course we can do better.’ Halleluya is a PhD researcher at iCrag in Dublin Ireland.  She has experienced first-hand the impact of outside experts visiting field locations in Africa and not collaborating with the local community.  Our conversation covers the impact of parachute science as well as what steps can be taken to create better outcomes.  How can we effectively transfer skills such that geoscientists around the globe are not always reliant on outside experts but can be in productive partnerships with them?Our second guest, Isabelle Chambefort, is a senior scientist at GNS Science, New Zealand.  She is literally at the cutting edge of geothermal science and the potential future of energy development in her country.  She is also tackling the issues of communication and collaboration as an integral part of her research program.  The ideas are challenging, and the conversation is thought provoking! Ekandjo, Halleluy-Naantu and Belgrano, Thomas M., 2022, Value for Value: End the Parachute Science Era, SEG Discovery no. 128, p, 52-53. https://doi.org/10.5382/SEGnews.2022-128 Theme music is Confluence by Eastwindseastwindsmusic.comCome join us in Salt Lake City, Utah for SEG 2026, September 30th to October 3rd. You can expect world-class technical content, including iconic ore deposits and the geological processes of North American Cordillera. The program balances applied case studies, framework geology, and technological innovation. The conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of economic geology. See you there.