PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND PRACTICES - COLUMN 153
in the profession during some very lean years. Some of these are also members of a generation that didn’t join organizations while growing up and still don’t.
The proposed AGI Guidelines are:
Preamble: Geoscientists play a critical role in ethical decision-making about stewardship of the Earth, the use of its resources, and the interactions between humankind and the planet on which we live. The public must trust and have confidence in the work of individual geoscientists and the geo- sciences as a profession. The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) expects those in the profession to adhere to the highest ethical standards in all professional activities. Geoscientists should engage responsibly in the conduct and reporting of their work, acknowledging the uncertainties and limits of current understanding inherent in studies of natural systems. Geoscientists should respect the work of colleagues and those who use and rely upon the products of their work.
In day-to-day activities geoscientists should: Be honest.
Act responsibly and with integrity, acknowledge limitations to knowledge and understanding, and be accountable for their errors.
Figure 1.
AIPG is very interested in learning what its Student and Young Professional Members would like from the Institute. You are the future of the organization. What can the Institute do to encourage Student Members to become Young Professional Members when they leave school? What are the best methods of communicating with you? How can we help you in your careers?
One suggestion is to make the TPG more web interactive, allowing easy access to individual articles by clicking on links rather than being in its current single PDF file format. If this is something you would like, please let the Editor know. Suggestions or examples of such implementations would be welcomed as well.
I addressed the issues of “Moving from School to Professional Life” in column 146 (Jul/Aug 13), which included contributions from Dawn Garcia, CPG-8313, Mike Redman, and Rick Powers, CPG-6765. This discussion is worth reviewing.
2015 Proposed AGI Guidelines for Ethical Professional Conduct
I am a member of an American Geoscience Institute (AGI) committee that worked on updating AGI’s Guidelines for Ethical Professional Conduct during this past summer and fall.1 The previous version was published in 1999. These pro- posed Guidelines are organized differently from many profes- sional codes of ethics, including AIPG’s. The two main areas of focus are the professional geoscientist’s responsibilities in day-to-day activities and as a member of a professional and geoscientific community.
The proposed AGI Guidelines are available for consideration by all AGI member societies, including AIPG. The proposed Guidelines are aspirational and are not the basis for disci- plinary activity. Whether discipline is needed is a decision for individual societies. The AIPG Executive Committee will be considering whether AIPG should endorse these proposed Guidelines at the February Executive Committee meeting.
Present professional work and reports without falsification or fabrication of data, misleading statements, or omission of relevant facts.
Separate facts/observations from interpretations.
Accurately cite authorship, acknowledge the contributions of others, and not engage in plagiarism.
Acknowledge and act on real or perceived conflicts of inter- est.
Continue professional development and growth.
Encourage and assist in the development of a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Treat colleagues, students, employees, and the public with respect.
Keep privileged information confidential, except when doing so constitutes a threat to public health, safety, or welfare.
As a member of a professional and scientific community, geoscientists should:
Promote greater understanding of the geosciences by other technical groups, students, the general public, news media, and policy makers through effective communication and education.
Acknowledge the complexities and uncertainties of Earth systems.
Use their technical knowledge and skills to protect public health, safety, and welfare, and enhance sustainability of society.
Inform the public about natural resources, hazards, and other geologic phenomena clearly, accurately, and respon- sibly.
Advocate responsible stewardship of the planet through an improved understanding and interpretation of Earth sys- tems, and by communicating real and potential implications of human actions.
The AIPG Code of Ethics has the following headings: Preamble
Canon 1. General Obligations Canon 2. Obligations to the Public
1. Formation of this AGI committee was one result of the AGI Leadership Conference on Ethics described in column 148, Nov/Dec 13.
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