Robert Merrill- Geoscientists Without Borders Program

Geoscientists Without Borders (GWB) is a program of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG). Following the 2004 Tsunami in Southeast Asia, members of the SEG recognized that geophysics and geology could make significant contributions to worldwide humanitarian efforts. GWB was initiated in 2008 by Craig Beasley and Schlumberger as the Founding Sponsor. A variety of sponsors and partners including the AAPG Foundation as well as individuals and corporations from the oil and gas industry support of up to eight GWB humanitarian projects around the world each year.
The mission is to support humanitarian applications of geoscience globally funding projects that benefit communities in need facing environmental hardship,natural hazards due to resource shortages and natural and human-induced disasters.
GWB has funded approximately 33 projects in over 27 countries since 2008.
Geosciences Without Borders projects are designed to benefit communities in need. Applying geoscience and engineering technology is critical to improving conditions of poverty or where dangerous conditions and hazards can be mitigated or removed using applied geoscience technology. It is anticipated that every project should have a lasting impact on the community and engage students and introduce them to the broad range of geosciences careers and strengthen university programs in geophysics and geology by building bridges between the academic geoscience community and the geoscience and engineering industry.