History of the British Geological Survey 1990–1997 - Revision history

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	Dr Peter J Cook CBE		Dr Peter J Cook CBE

			[[Category:History of the British Geological Survey]]

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Structure of the BGS Programme

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	=== Structure of the BGS Programme ===		=== Structure of the BGS Programme ===

	One of the achievements of the BGS over the past seven years has been to develop a structure for its scientific programme composed of Core, Partnership and Contract Programmes (Figure 1) which enables the Survey to work with `mixed economy' funding in a highly effective manner. Each of these programmes has its particular funding sources and its specific 'deliverables'. But at the same time these various elements are mutually supportive with, for example, expertise and knowledge developed in the Core Programme feeding into the Partnership and Contract programmes, and data and funding flowing from the Contract Programme back to the Core Programme. It is important to stress that there is no subsidy of the Contract Programme from the Core Programme. This tripartite structure has been highly effective over the past few years and has become recognised as a generic model which can be applied to other scientific organizations. In a House of Lords debate on science earlier this year the Earl of Clancarty said 'With my emphasis on pure research, I certainly do not wish to deny the use of the results of industry-financed or commissioned research. Rather, there is in a PSRE such as the BGS a fragile and subtle relationship between, on the one hand, the so-called 'core programme' and, on the other, commissioned research — what the BGS calls a "synergy". To tamper with one will radically alter the character of the other'. To that I say Amen!=== Scientific achievements ===		One of the achievements of the BGS over the past seven years has been to develop a structure for its scientific programme composed of Core, Partnership and Contract Programmes (Figure 1) which enables the Survey to work with `mixed economy' funding in a highly effective manner. Each of these programmes has its particular funding sources and its specific 'deliverables'. But at the same time these various elements are mutually supportive with, for example, expertise and knowledge developed in the Core Programme feeding into the Partnership and Contract programmes, and data and funding flowing from the Contract Programme back to the Core Programme. It is important to stress that there is no subsidy of the Contract Programme from the Core Programme. This tripartite structure has been highly effective over the past few years and has become recognised as a generic model which can be applied to other scientific organizations. In a House of Lords debate on science earlier this year the Earl of Clancarty said 'With my emphasis on pure research, I certainly do not wish to deny the use of the results of industry-financed or commissioned research. Rather, there is in a PSRE such as the BGS a fragile and subtle relationship between, on the one hand, the so-called 'core programme' and, on the other, commissioned research — what the BGS calls a "synergy". To tamper with one will radically alter the character of the other'. To that I say Amen!

			=== Scientific achievements ===

	I have indicated that the BGS Core, Partnership and Contract programmes are mutually supportive. But it is also important to stress that the quality and importance of the science is not dependant on the manner in which that science is funded; contract or partnership science can be, and frequently is, of the same high quality as core science. Therefore, I shall highlight some of the BGS's scientific achievements without concern for whether they are part of the Core, Partnership or Contract programmes.		I have indicated that the BGS Core, Partnership and Contract programmes are mutually supportive. But it is also important to stress that the quality and importance of the science is not dependant on the manner in which that science is funded; contract or partnership science can be, and frequently is, of the same high quality as core science. Therefore, I shall highlight some of the BGS's scientific achievements without concern for whether they are part of the Core, Partnership or Contract programmes.
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	Related studies in geochemical exploration and metallogeny have similarly been acclaimed by industry and the scientific community. Innovative studies of the Cheshire Basin provide new insights into basin evolution, fluid flow and metallogenesis to name just a few of the areas of exciting science undertaken as part of, or related to the core programme.		Related studies in geochemical exploration and metallogeny have similarly been acclaimed by industry and the scientific community. Innovative studies of the Cheshire Basin provide new insights into basin evolution, fluid flow and metallogenesis to name just a few of the areas of exciting science undertaken as part of, or related to the core programme.

	In the area of geophysics, innovative techniques have been applied to existing data sets, producing maps and models that have been highly valued by the petroleum industry in particular. One of the disappointments of the past eight years has been that no new high-resolution data have been collected to modern standards due to a lack of funding. There is an urgent need for a new airborne geophysical survey of the United Kingdom. A recently established Partnership Project will allow this programme to commence in 1998, in co-operation with industry, but the lack of support from some government departments for this `public good' initiative is to be regretted. Despite limited core funding, seismology and geomagnetism have been very successful in attracting a considerable amount of external funding to maintain their monitoring activities. Exciting developments in this area have been in the seismic anisotropy and the environmental monitoring fields.		In the area of geophysics, innovative techniques have been applied to existing data sets, producing maps and models that have been highly valued by the petroleum industry in particular. One of the disappointments of the past eight years has been that no new high-resolution data have been collected to modern standards due to a lack of funding. There is an urgent need for a new airborne geophysical survey of the United Kingdom. A recently established Partnership Project will allow this programme to commence in 1998, in co-operation with industry, but the lack of support from some government departments for this 'public good' initiative is to be regretted. Despite limited core funding, seismology and geomagnetism have been very successful in attracting a considerable amount of external funding to maintain their monitoring activities. Exciting developments in this area have been in the seismic anisotropy and the environmental monitoring fields.

	Offshore geological mapping was a major activity of the BGS in the past, but with the conclusion of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) funding for this programme it was necessary to seek other sources. In some ways this was inevitable in that DTI considered it had done the job expected of it. Nevertheless it is a disappointment that DTI could not be persuaded to fund work in the areas remaining to be mapped to the west of the UK. The marine group has been very successful in obtaining support from a consortium of oil companies to undertake a geological survey of the Rockall continental margin. Not only does the Survey now have a new understanding of the evolution of this margin but for the first time it has also been successful in imaging the geology below the basalts. This is an important geological and technical breakthrough which is highly significant for oil exploration in the Atlantic Western Frontier region.		Offshore geological mapping was a major activity of the BGS in the past, but with the conclusion of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) funding for this programme it was necessary to seek other sources. In some ways this was inevitable in that DTI considered it had done the job expected of it. Nevertheless it is a disappointment that DTI could not be persuaded to fund work in the areas remaining to be mapped to the west of the UK. The marine group has been very successful in obtaining support from a consortium of oil companies to undertake a geological survey of the Rockall continental margin. Not only does the Survey now have a new understanding of the evolution of this margin but for the first time it has also been successful in imaging the geology below the basalts. This is an important geological and technical breakthrough which is highly significant for oil exploration in the Atlantic Western Frontier region.

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	It is important to stress that when I took over as Director of BGS in March 1990 I was able to build on the many achievements of past Directors and the firm base that they had provided. Geoff Larminie (1987–1990), Innes Lumsden (1985–1987), Malcolm Brown (1979-1985), Austin Woodland (1975–1979), Kingsley Dunham (1967–1975) and James Stubblefield (1960–1966) all contributed in their particular way to ensuring the well-being of the BGS<ref>It was a particular pleasure to be able to welcome all those past Directors to the official naming ceremony for the Kingsley Dunham Centre of the BGS at Keyworth in June 1990.</ref>. Nor was I acting alone. The Directorate were, and continued to be, very much part of the of the process of change, contributing their ideas and their energy in order to achieve the right changes. You will no doubt make your own judgement on that in the fullness of time, but at least this account will provide you with a better understanding of the climate of change in the period 1990-1997 and why things were done in the way that they were done.		It is important to stress that when I took over as Director of BGS in March 1990 I was able to build on the many achievements of past Directors and the firm base that they had provided. Geoff Larminie (1987–1990), Innes Lumsden (1985–1987), Malcolm Brown (1979-1985), Austin Woodland (1975–1979), Kingsley Dunham (1967–1975) and James Stubblefield (1960–1966) all contributed in their particular way to ensuring the well-being of the BGS<ref>It was a particular pleasure to be able to welcome all those past Directors to the official naming ceremony for the Kingsley Dunham Centre of the BGS at Keyworth in June 1990.</ref>. Nor was I acting alone. The Directorate were, and continued to be, very much part of the of the process of change, contributing their ideas and their energy in order to achieve the right changes. You will no doubt make your own judgement on that in the fullness of time, but at least this account will provide you with a better understanding of the climate of change in the period 1990-1997 and why things were done in the way that they were done.

			<references/>

	== The period 1990-1997 ==		== The period 1990-1997 ==

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			'''From: Cook, Peter J. 1998. A history of the British Geological Survey 1990–1997. British Geological Survey Technical Report WQ/98/1. 12pp.Keyworth, Nottingham British Geological Survey 1998'''

	== A history of the British Geological Survey 1990–1997 ==		== A history of the British Geological Survey 1990–1997 ==

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	== A history of the British Geological Survey 1990–1997 ==		== A history of the British Geological Survey 1990–1997 ==

	~~'''From: Cook, Peter J. 1998. A history of the British Geological Survey 1990–1997. British Geological Survey Technical Report WQ/98/1. 12pp.Keyworth, Nottingham British Geological Survey 1998'''~~

	== Introduction ==		== Introduction ==

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Introduction

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	Any attempt to write the history of the British Geological Survey for the period 1990 to 1997 at this time is fraught with potential difficulties, not least because a period of time is usually needed before the significance of a period can be truly assessed by those with 'no axe to grind'. Why then am I choosing to put out this account at this time. To do so does at least have the advantage that many of the issues in which I was directly involved are still fairly fresh in my memory. But first and foremost I have been required to do it as part of 1997 Science Management and Audit (SMA) exercise and I thought that BGS staff generally might be interested in this short account, which is essentially the SMA report, with a few additions and personal observations.		Any attempt to write the history of the British Geological Survey for the period 1990 to 1997 at this time is fraught with potential difficulties, not least because a period of time is usually needed before the significance of a period can be truly assessed by those with 'no axe to grind'. Why then am I choosing to put out this account at this time. To do so does at least have the advantage that many of the issues in which I was directly involved are still fairly fresh in my memory. But first and foremost I have been required to do it as part of 1997 Science Management and Audit (SMA) exercise and I thought that BGS staff generally might be interested in this short account, which is essentially the SMA report, with a few additions and personal observations.

	It is important to stress that when I took over as Director of BGS in March 1990 I was able to build on the many achievements of past Directors and the firm base that they had provided. Geoff Larminie (~~1987-1990~~), Innes Lumsden (~~1985-1987~~), Malcolm Brown (1979-1985), Austin Woodland (~~1975-1979~~), Kingsley Dunham (~~1967-1975~~) and James Stubblefield (~~1960-1966~~) all contributed in their particular way to ensuring the well-being of the BGS<ref>It was a particular pleasure to be able to welcome all those past Directors to the official naming ceremony for the Kingsley Dunham Centre of the BGS at Keyworth in June 1990.</ref>. Nor was I acting alone. The Directorate were, and continued to be, very much part of the of the process of change, contributing their ideas and their energy in order to achieve the right changes. You will no doubt make your own judgement on that in the fullness of time, but at least this account will provide you with a better understanding of the climate of change in the period 1990-1997 and why things were done in the way that they were done.		It is important to stress that when I took over as Director of BGS in March 1990 I was able to build on the many achievements of past Directors and the firm base that they had provided. Geoff Larminie (1987–1990), Innes Lumsden (1985–1987), Malcolm Brown (1979-1985), Austin Woodland (1975–1979), Kingsley Dunham (1967–1975) and James Stubblefield (1960–1966) all contributed in their particular way to ensuring the well-being of the BGS<ref>It was a particular pleasure to be able to welcome all those past Directors to the official naming ceremony for the Kingsley Dunham Centre of the BGS at Keyworth in June 1990.</ref>. Nor was I acting alone. The Directorate were, and continued to be, very much part of the of the process of change, contributing their ideas and their energy in order to achieve the right changes. You will no doubt make your own judgement on that in the fullness of time, but at least this account will provide you with a better understanding of the climate of change in the period 1990-1997 and why things were done in the way that they were done.

	== The period 1990-1997 ==		== The period 1990-1997 ==

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	Any attempt to write the history of the British Geological Survey for the period 1990 to 1997 at this time is fraught with potential difficulties, not least because a period of time is usually needed before the significance of a period can be truly assessed by those with 'no axe to grind'. Why then am I choosing to put out this account at this time. To do so does at least have the advantage that many of the issues in which I was directly involved are still fairly fresh in my memory. But first and foremost I have been required to do it as part of 1997 Science Management and Audit (SMA) exercise and I thought that BGS staff generally might be interested in this short account, which is essentially the SMA report, with a few additions and personal observations.		Any attempt to write the history of the British Geological Survey for the period 1990 to 1997 at this time is fraught with potential difficulties, not least because a period of time is usually needed before the significance of a period can be truly assessed by those with 'no axe to grind'. Why then am I choosing to put out this account at this time. To do so does at least have the advantage that many of the issues in which I was directly involved are still fairly fresh in my memory. But first and foremost I have been required to do it as part of 1997 Science Management and Audit (SMA) exercise and I thought that BGS staff generally might be interested in this short account, which is essentially the SMA report, with a few additions and personal observations.

	It is important to stress that when I took over as Director of BGS in March 1990 I was able to build on the many achievements of past Directors and the firm base that they had provided. Geoff Larminie (1987-1990), Innes Lumsden (1985-1987), Malcolm Brown (1979-1985), Austin Woodland (1975-1979), Kingsley Dunham (1967-1975) and James Stubblefield (1960-1966) all contributed in their particular way to ensuring the well-being of the BGS*. Nor was I acting alone. The Directorate were, and continued to be, very much part of the of the process of change, contributing their ideas and their energy in order to achieve the right changes. You will no doubt make your own judgement on that in the fullness of time, but at least this account will provide you with a better understanding of the climate of change in the period 1990-1997 and why things were done in the way that they were done.		It is important to stress that when I took over as Director of BGS in March 1990 I was able to build on the many achievements of past Directors and the firm base that they had provided. Geoff Larminie (1987-1990), Innes Lumsden (1985-1987), Malcolm Brown (1979-1985), Austin Woodland (1975-1979), Kingsley Dunham (1967-1975) and James Stubblefield (1960-1966) all contributed in their particular way to ensuring the well-being of the BGS<ref>It was a particular pleasure to be able to welcome all those past Directors to the official naming ceremony for the Kingsley Dunham Centre of the BGS at Keyworth in June 1990.</ref>. Nor was I acting alone. The Directorate were, and continued to be, very much part of the of the process of change, contributing their ideas and their energy in order to achieve the right changes. You will no doubt make your own judgement on that in the fullness of time, but at least this account will provide you with a better understanding of the climate of change in the period 1990-1997 and why things were done in the way that they were done.

	* It was a particular pleasure to be able to welcome all those past Directors to the official naming ceremony for the Kingsley Dunham Centre of the BGS at Keyworth in June 1990.

	== The period 1990-1997 ==		== The period 1990-1997 ==

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