The Journal of Geoethics and Social Geoscience published three new open access articles on 23 and 27 January 2025 in the Special Issue "25 Years of Advancing Geoethics and Social Geosciences at INGV".
We remind you that this journal is diamond open access and is supported by the IAPG, the IUGS Commission on Geoethics and the CIPSH Chair on Geoethics. No Article Processing Charge (APC) is requested to authors and no fee to readers.
The new articles can be cited as follows:
D'Addezio, G. (2025). 25 Years of INGV’s Education and Outreach: Bridging Science and Society. Journal of Geoethics and Social Geosciences, 2(Special Issue), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.13127/jgsg-66
Abstract:
Over the past 25 years, the science outreach activities of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) have evolved from individual efforts by scientists into organized initiatives led by teams at INGV. These efforts aim to enhance public understanding of the importance of geosciences and to promote a culture of prevention. Outreach efforts target schools and the general public through a range of activities, including guided laboratory visits, participation in national and international events, and the development of multimedia educational tools. An overview of our key activities is presented here, highlighting the role of geoscience in education and emphasizing the importance of equipping the next generation with an understanding of Earth system complexities. The overview also offers valuable perspectives on fostering children’s awareness of geoethics to prepare them to address global challenges. In particular, the project with schools is one of the longest-running initiatives of the INGV Third Mission activities and has had a significant impact on local communities. Over the years, we have welcomed thousands of students, highlighting the importance of initiatives dedicated to schools, which are a strategic sector for the dissemination of geosciences.
Regarding selected outreach initiatives, we have conducted impact evaluation analyses to monitor efficacy and better refine our actions. Finally, in addition to the school project, a notable initiative includes an annual drawing competition for primary school students, which has collected over 35,000 drawings. This extensive dataset provides a unique opportunity to analyze how children’s perceptions of geoscientific subjects have evolved over time.
Keywords:
Geoscience dissemination, Outreach activity, Educational projects, Children’s drawings, Impact evaluation
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The author: Giuliana D'Addezio, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy.
Geologist, researcher at INGV with a Master's degree in Advanced Studies in Museum Education. Responsible for INGV Museum Activities and Education, with expertise in scientific education, outreach programs for schools, and the design and organization of scientific exhibitions. Extensive experience in national and international scientific events. Managed national projects responsibilities and tasks in European projects. Member of the Scientific and Organizing Committees for the 2011 International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO). Director of the INGV Geophysical Museum in Rocca di Papa from 2015 to 2021.
Rubbia, G. (2025). A steady progress towards Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in STEM disciplines: a geoscience case study in Italy. Journal of Geoethics and Social Geosciences, 2(Special Issue), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.13127/jgsg-52
Abstract:
Significant progress has been made over the last 25 years. At the beginning of the third millennium, as long as the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology) started growing, initiatives to develop and enhance human capital flourished and consolidated in Europe. The European Charter for Researchers, the Italian Code of Equal Opportunities, and the equality strategy in the European Research Area, to quote some references, foster commitments for more welcoming working environments and more responsible research and innovation. In its turn, over decades, INGV has seen a positive shift in favor of less represented gender, in female leadership and women participation, experiencing a situation common to many research organizations which are hard sciences oriented. At the same time, work-life balance and unease mitigation measures have been piloted and implemented. Nonetheless, more collective efforts are required to face current challenges. Natural hazards have different impacts on society. Therefore, gendered and intersectional perspectives must be adopted. The paper presents general concepts about gender equality in the first section, with a particular emphasis on the principles of the European Charter of Researchers and citation of relevant literature to making geoscience more diverse, equal, and inclusive. In the second part, the case study of INGV is provided, illustrating the main achievements and ongoing activities with a gendered perspective.
Keywords:
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Gender, Women, European Charter of Researchers
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The authors:
Giuliana Rubbia, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Milan, Italy.
Senior Technologist at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Milan, Italy. A physicist, her initial contributions included the development of online seismicity databases for the Italian region and the creation of institutional web portals. Subsequently, she collaborated with INGV’s outreach unit, grant office, and disciplinary office in Rome. She is currently a member and a former president of the INGV Committee for Equal Opportunity, Worker Wellbeing, and Non-Discrimination. Additionally, she serves as a gender expert on advisory boards for various projects, is a member of the GETA Gender and Talent Observatory at the National Research Council of Italy, and acts as an expert assessor for the European Commission to ensure the effective implementation of the European Charter for Researchers.
Musacchio, G., Falsaperla, S. and Meroni, F. (2025). How to raise awareness of seismic risk? Lessons learned from case studies within European Projects. Journal of Geoethics and Social Geosciences, 2(Special Issue), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.13127/jgsg-58
Abstract:
Awareness of at-risk population is a cornerstone of disaster risk management, and effective strategies should integrate sustainability to ensure long-term impact. While hazard and risk assessments are essential for prevention, their success is greatly enhanced when exposed communities are adequately informed.
This article presents lessons learned and follow-up insights into seismic hazard and risk awareness from case studies of two European projects—UPStrat-MAFA (Urban Disaster Prevention Strategies using Macroseismic Fields and Fault Sources) and KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seismic risk through non-structural elements). The discussion focuses on the rationale behind the selection of target audiences, how messages were adapted to meet diverse needs, and which educational tools were developed to address specific contexts. These experiences provided insights that were applied in national and international initiatives. Reflecting on experiences gained through European collaborations, this overview helps refine communication approaches and offers guidance for improving future earthquake risk mitigation efforts.
Keywords:
Awareness raising, Seismic risk communication, Earthquakes, European projects, Seismic risk management
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The authors:
Gemma Musacchio, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Milan, Italy.
Geologist and seismologist with expertise in science outreach and risk communication. Researcher at INGV; PhD in Earth Sciences (University of Milan, 1993) and Master degree in Scientific Journalism and Communication of Science (University of Ferrara, 2016); Scientist at several research institutions and universities around the world: the University of Karlsruhe and Kiel, D; the U.S. Geological Survey, CA-USA; the Queen’s University, ON-CN; Author of more than 90 publications; research spanning lithospheric studies, rock physics, and seismic anisotropy, evolving toward disaster science and the communication of hazards and risks.
Susanna Falsaperla, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Osservatorio Etneo, Catania, Italy.
Geologist with expertise in volcano seismology, scientific outreach, and augmented reality; Senior researcher at INGV, Sezione di Catania, Osservatorio Etneo, Italy; Member of the Scientific Council of the Italian “Festival della Scienza” (Festival of Science) of Genoa, Italy; Co-chair of WOVO (World Organization of Volcano Observatories) for several years; Editorial Board Member of the journal Scientific Reports (Springer-Nature) and Academic Editor on the Editorial Board of The Scientific World Journal (Hindawi).
Fabrizio Meroni, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Milan, Italy.
Senior Technologist at INGV, Milan, Italy; Fields of interest: Seismic risk and hazard assessment, Multi-risk assessment of natural hazards, Computer science applied to risk assessment, GIS technologist.
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