State of the Earth

Critical minerals and Cornwall: Exploring the future of responsible mining

Mining is essential to the technologies powering the transition to net zero, from electric vehicles and wind turbines to batteries and renewable energy infrastructure. But as demand for critical minerals accelerates, how can mining become more responsible, circular, and sustainable? In this episode, Sophie Crossley speaks with Professor Frances Wall [https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/735-frances-wall], Professor of Applied Mineralogy at the Camborne School of Mines [https://dees.exeter.ac.uk/csm/] and one of the world’s leading experts on critical minerals and sustainable resource development. Recently awarded an OBE for services to geoscience and sustainable resource development, Frances shares insights into the future of mining, the growing importance of critical minerals, and Cornwall’s role in the global energy transition. In this episode, we discuss: * Why critical minerals are essential for achieving net zero * What “responsible mining” really means in practice * The role of circular economy systems in reducing waste and improving sustainability * Why mineral processing is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry * Cornwall’s mining heritage, and why the region is back in the spotlight * How the industry can rebuild public trust and operate more responsibly * What developments in legislation, supply chains, and technology may shape mining in 2026

Ice Sheets and the Sea Floor: Marine Geology of our Changing Planet with Prof James Scourse

In this podcast, host Sofia Salas Lopez speaks with Prof. James Scourse, a marine geologist and the Head of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Exeter. In this conversation, we explore James’s career in marine geology, his research on Quaternary environments and climate change, and how geological records help us better understand past and future environmental change. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford, he went on to earn a PhD from the University of Cambridge. His doctoral research focused on the Quaternary stratigraphy and palaeoenvironments of the Celtic Sea, Isles of Scilly, and West Cornwall. Following his PhD, James was elected to a Research Fellowship at the University of Cambridge. Shortly after, he was appointed to a Lectureship at Bangor University in the School of Ocean Sciences in 1985 and was awarded a Personal Chair in 2005. In February 2017, he moved his research group to the Penryn Campus at the University of Exeter. James has held numerous leadership roles within the academic community. He served as President of the Quaternary Research Association (2008–2011) and as Chair of the NERC Radiocarbon Facility Steering Committee (2007–2011). He was Editor of the Journal of Quaternary Science (2000–2004) and was awarded a Royal Society–Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship in 2008–2009. He was elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales in 2014, directed the Climate Change Consortium of Wales from 2011 to 2016, and received a Doctor of Science (ScD) degree from the University of Cambridge in 2023. Highlights: * Introduction to Prof. Scourse and his journey into marine geology * The importance of marine geology * Experiences conducting field work in the Antarctic * The work of Sclero * Marine environmental dating applications * Climate change, tipping points and glaciers * Deep-sea mining  * Policy * The future of his work Links to further explore his work: University of Exeter profile:  https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/26104-james-scourse [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexperts.exeter.ac.uk%2F26104-james-scourse&data=05%7C02%7CH.Lavender%40exeter.ac.uk%7C798ff912c5624bf8654308de746f4ce3%7C912a5d77fb984eeeaf321334d8f04a53%7C0%7C0%7C639076218524330177%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=p%2F22r4YX5CorZQdOE14Va1bQ9p7RcwXiyIMydyS5jrs%3D&reserved=0] Sclero: https://sclerogroupexeter.co.uk/ [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsclerogroupexeter.co.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CH.Lavender%40exeter.ac.uk%7C798ff912c5624bf8654308de746f4ce3%7C912a5d77fb984eeeaf321334d8f04a53%7C0%7C0%7C639076218524351827%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Y65XM8oCQAs%2BmuKSJoLT4Kxwg7xurbcdsR1B8RSiF6M%3D&reserved=0]

Sustainable tourism, unpacked: Governance, ethics, and hidden costs with Jose Melenez Roman

Tourism connects people, cultures, and economies, but it also places growing pressure on communities and environments around the world. So what does sustainable tourism really mean in practice, and how can such a complex global industry become more equitable and resilient? In this episode, Sophie Crossley speaks with Jose Melenez Roman, Lecturer in Sustainable Tourism at the University of Exeter. With more than 14 years of experience working across public and private sector tourism projects worldwide, Jose explores how collaboration, governance, and innovation can help tackle some of tourism’s toughest sustainability challenges. In this episode, we discuss: * What “sustainable tourism” really means beyond the buzzword * The hidden social and environmental costs of tourism * How participatory governance helps destinations design better solutions * Greenwashing in tourism and how organisations can build credibility * Whether regulation or collaboration will drive change in the years ahead * Advice for students and professionals entering the sustainable tourism field

Primates and the Future of Conservation: In conversation with Dr Kimberley Hockings

In this podcast, Host Sofia Salas Lopez speaks with Dr Kimberley Hockings, Associate Professor in Conservation Science at the University of Exeter. She is an active member of many conservation organisations, such as the Great Ape Section of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, and as the co-Director of the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project Dr Kimberley is a conservation biologist, with her work mainly focused on studying and facilitating human-wildlife interactions, especially with great apes. Dr Kimberley has extensive experience with fieldwork across West Africa, working on conservation projects and policy. In this conversation, we will learn more about the biggest issues facing primates and how different forms of conservation can shape the future of wildlife by creating a symbiosis between people and nature.  Highlights: * Introduction to Dr Hockings and her journey into conservation  * The importance of studying primates * Threats to primates (Human-wildlife interactions, disease, land loss…) * The role of community work in conservation * AI and technology in conservation * Hopes for the future  Links to further explore her work: https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/26467-kimberley-hockings/about [https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/26467-kimberley-hockings/about]

Rethinking nature: How inclusive design can transform our connection to the world

In this episode, Sophie is joined by Dr Sarah Bell, Senior Lecturer in Health Geography at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health. Sarah is a health and disability geographer whose research explores how wellbeing, social inequality, and disability intersect with our changing environments, from parks, gardens, and coastlines to the weather, seasons, and climate change. Our conversation covers how our environments shape who we are and how we live — and what it really means to design a fairer, healthier world for everyone. Highlights: * How disability, wellbeing, and environment intersect across the life course * Lessons from the Sensing Nature project and multisensory access to the outdoors * The balance between research, real-world impact, and policy change * Short-termism vs long-term investment in health and nature initiatives * Staying motivated in the face of climate challenges and systemic barriers Shownotes: * Sensing Nature program: https://sensing-nature.com [https://sensing-nature.com]