BGS and the Natural History Museum’s ‘Research Partnership for the Future’ 2022
The Memorandum of Understanding reflects and builds on the two organisations’ shared history and sets out a roadmap for working collaboratively to deliver our joint ambitions.
20/01/2022 By BGS Press
On 20 January 2022, BGS and the Natural History Museum (NHM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) called Research Partnership for the Future. This partnership reflects and builds on the two organisations’ shared history and sets out a roadmap for working collaboratively to deliver our joint ambitions.
The partnership focuses on six strategic areas of shared interest:
- research
- collections
- digital and data resources
- provision of space and infrastructure
- public engagement and citizen science
- higher education and training
Earth science knowledge and expertise is core to addressing many of the most pressing issues facing society in the 21st century, from the decarbonisation of energy supplies to climate change mitigation.
Dr Doug Gurr, Natural History Museum Director, and Dr Karen Hanghøj, BGS Director, signing the Memorandum of Understanding. BGS © UKRI.
The agreement enables BGS and NHM to harness the expertise they have in these areas and to engage with key stakeholders and the public. Working together means we can provide greater access to our collections, data, research and people whilst generating further dialogue around the most pressing issues facing society and the planet, both today and in the future.
This partnership agreement will complement and enrich the delivery of our science strategy and ensures not only will we work together to deliver cutting-edge geoscience for a sustainable future, but also work collaboratively in inspiring and engaging the next generation of geoscientists.
Dr Karen Hanghøj, BGS Director.
Geoscience expertise has never been more important; it plays a critical role in combatting the planetary emergency — from sourcing sustainable supplies of the resources needed to transition to a green economy, to securing clean water. This agreement builds on our century-old relationship and outlines our shared commitment to scientific excellence and discovery, making geosciences as inclusive as possible — and engaging the public with science-led solutions.
Dr Doug Gurr, Natural History Museum Director.
Relative topics
Download a copy of the MoU
BGS NHM MoU – Research Partnership for the Future 2022
Related news
Is your region susceptible? Britain’s geohazard hotspots revealed
14/08/2025
From sinkholes to radon: new maps highlight the most geologically at-risk regions
New platform highlights geothermal potential across the UK
11/08/2025
A new government-funded geothermal initiative, which includes an interactive map, has launched to help decision makers assess the geothermal potential across the UK.
Oasis revealed as Scottish capital’s ‘most seismic’ concert
07/08/2025
Twenty years of evidence from earthquake monitoring proves the Britpop legends are the most ‘ground shaking’ musical act to perform at Murrayfield Stadium, with the chance to secure their position at the top of the charts this weekend.
IODP³-NSF Expedition 501: successful offshore operations launches onshore phase
06/08/2025
Scientists have managed to take water and sediment samples from beneath the ocean on the New England Shelf for the first time, with the intention of understanding this offshore aquifer system.
New tool helps identify coal mine gas risk for housing developments in Scotland
05/08/2025
Scientists have co-developed a new tool for North Lanarkshire Council to help screen coal mine gas emissions prior to the development of new houses and buildings.
Kamchatka earthquake highlights the advances in tsunami early warning systems
31/07/2025
The response to the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia has emphasised how far scientific understanding of tsunamis has come over the last two decades, and the improved mitigation measures that are now in place.
New journal article reveals snapshot of forever chemicals in shallow English soils
31/07/2025
Data on the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance concentrations in English soils has been released.
Zambia’s first critical minerals guide supports the country’s potential in global clean energy transition
18/07/2025
A new guide to Zambia’s critical minerals highlights the country’s current and potential critical mineral resources, including cobalt and lithium.
Funding awarded to UK/Canadian critical mineral research projects
08/07/2025
BGS is part of a groundbreaking science partnership aiming to improve critical minerals mining and supply chains.
Release of over 500 Scottish abandoned-mine plans
24/06/2025
The historical plans cover non-coal mines that were abandoned pre-1980 and are available through BGS’s plans viewer.
New collaboration aims to improve availability of real-time hazard impact data
19/06/2025
BGS has signed a memorandum of understanding with FloodTags to collaborate on the use of large language models to improve real-time monitoring of geological hazards and their impacts.
Modern pesticides found in UK rivers could pose risk to aquatic life
17/06/2025
New research shows that modern pesticides used in agriculture and veterinary medicines have been found for the first time in English rivers.