Election of President-Designate and Council Members
Ballot open - Vote Now
During autumn and winter 2024, through our social media channels, e-newsletter, and Geoscientist, we actively encouraged Fellows to submit nominations to stand for President-Designate or as a Council member, to succeed Council members standing down at our Annual General Meeting on 11 June 2025.
Nominations have now closed, and the preliminary ballot opened on 3 March 2025. This ballot will determine the names that will go forward for the formal vote on 11 June 2025 at the Annual General Meeting.
Fellows are keenly encouraged to exercise their vote in the ballot to show their support of the candidates who will serve on Council. The ballot closes on 31 March 2025.
Statements from the nominated candidates can be found below.
How to vote
The ballot is administered for the Society by Civica Election Services. Fellows will receive an email from Civica containing details on how to vote online.
If you are a Fellow and do not receive your ballot by 10 March, or experience any issues when casting your vote, please visit: cesvotes.com/geosoc25. If you continue to have issues, please email secretary@geolsoc.org.uk
Please note: Only Fellows of the Society are eligible to vote.
The supporting statement for the post of President-Designate:
Jessica T Smith
Based in Glasgow, I am a Senior Engineering Geologist and Technical Authority for Engineering Geology at SSE Renewables. I stand with my employer's support to deliver the commitment required in the role of President. My vision for the Society is founded in my belief that representation matters, and that electing Presidents from different backgrounds promotes inclusion at the highest level of the organisation.
My involvement with the Society commenced over twenty years ago as a Candidate Fellow, becoming a Fellow in 2004 after graduating from the University of Glasgow with a BSc (Hons) in Earth Science. I obtained a MSc in Engineering Geology from Imperial College London in 2009 and qualified as a Chartered Geologist in 2014.
After volunteering on the Central Scotland Regional Group's committee, I served on Council from 2017 to 2022 becoming Vice President for Regional Groups in 2019. I currently chair the Byelaws Review Group. While on Council, I sat on the Professional and Chartership Committee, participated in the Fellowship categories review and in the discussions on the future of Burlington House, which led last year to the historic acquisition of a long lease on our London base.
Through my time on Council and in various working groups, I have gained valuable insights into the operation of the Society including a comprehensive understanding of governance. This, coupled with my empathetic approach and willingness to listen and learn, is why I would be an effective leader of the Geological Society. I would be honoured to serve as President.
Proposer: Ruth Allington
Supporters: David Shilston and Prof Jim Griffiths
The supporting statement for the post of Council Member:
Dr Caroline Gill
I am a Chartered Geologist and have worked for Shell in a variety of technical roles across the UK Continental Shelf. I have a first class degree in Geology from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from the University of Edinburgh where I undertook industry sponsored research on the structural evolution of the Northern North Sea.
I have contributed to the Society in many roles over my 25 year fellowship: in my early career as a member of the Petroleum Group and Science Committee, and more recently as Chair of the Energy Group. I have convened a wide range of Society events including the hugely successful inaugural Energy Geoscience Conference. I am also a regular chartership assessor for the Society and a reviewer for the Publishing House.
I am passionate about people and the future of Geoscience. I lead the Shell UK scholarship and university outreach programme, and I am an external examiner and regular visitor at the University of Aberdeen. In my day job, I am responsible for global geology learning at Shell.
I acknowledge the decline of Geoscience in the UK and want to be part of addressing the issue and promoting Geoscience to future generations through Council membership.
Council members 2025-26:
Members of Council to retire at the Annual General Meeting on 11 June 2025 are Dr Natasha Dowey, Dr Jennie Gilbert and Gemma Sherwood.
Dr Chiara Maria Petrone will stand for Secretary, Science at the 2025 AGM and Hollie Fisher will stand Vice President Regional Groups extending their service on Council to 2028.
See our current Council members and read their biographies.