Dan Hatton asks:
> I consider myself a geophysicist, but I have no credible claim to be
either an astronomer or a geologist. Is there a route to BGA membership
that's appropriate for someone in my position, please?
Short answer: There is, via the RAS.
Explanation: The answer lies in the brief of the Royal Astronomical Society,
which in fact has responsibility within the structure of the UK scientific
societies for geophysics as well as astronomy. So, although we are a
minority element, global and theoretical geophysicists are specifically
catered for, for example through the Society's publication of Geophysical
Journal International (formerly the Geophysical Journal of the Royal
Astronomical Society) and "Astronomy and Geophysics", the organisation of
various meetings, award of medals for distinction in the field, &c. as well
as the sponsorship of the British Geophysical Association. The BGS is, of
course, a joint association with the Geological Society who cater more
specifically to the needs of industrial and environmental geophysicists.
In other words, Fellowship of the RAS is most definitely an appropriate
status for a professional or academic geophysicist.
Not many people know this (if it's true at all!): I have been told that, at
the time the RAS Charter and Bye-Laws were last revised (around the time of
the First World War), a proposal to change the Society's name to the "Royal
Astronomical and Geophysical Society" was mooted, but at that time
geophysics was considered too small and novel a branch of science to warrant
that change.
Dan, speak to the departmental point of contact for RAS at DAMPT and get an
information pack. I'm not sure who that is - Nigel Weiss or John Papaloizou
perhaps? Nigel will probably know, but if not Ron Wiltshire at the RAS
certainly will.
Russ
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