The European Geosciences Union (EGU) has awarded ITC’s Dr Heather Handley the 2025 Katia and Maurice Krafft Award, in recognition of her exceptional dedication to geoscience outreach, innovation in science communication, and commitment to inclusivity.
Heather’s extensive contributions, spanning over two decades, have been pivotal in bringing geoscience into the public spotlight, raising awareness about volcanic hazards, emphasising geoscience's critical role in society, and promoting sustainable development.
Through various media, digital outreach, and community events, she has effectively bridged the gap between academia and the public. Her work, especially as Co-Founder and Director of the Earth Futures Festival, has brought geoscience to life for people worldwide, inspiring future generations of geoscientists, particularly young people and those from underrepresented groups.
The Katia and Maurice Krafft Award was established by the EGU in 2018 to honour researchers who excel in engaging wide-ranging audiences through innovative, inclusive, and accessible approaches to communicating geoscience.
A transformative, impact-driven approach to geoscience communication
In 2022, Heather co-founded the Earth Futures Festival, an international geoscience film and video festival designed to showcase the role of geoscience and long-lived cultural knowledge of the Earth in tackling global challenges. The festival provided workshops and training in filmmaking and communication to geoscientists. Diversity and inclusion were also key aspects of the impact-designed approach.
The festival united 19 national and international partners—including UNESCO’s International Geoscience Programme, the European Federation of Geologists and the International Association for Promoting Geoethics — demonstrating Heather’s ability to bring together diverse organisations in support of geoscience.
The inaugural festival received almost 1,000 video submissions from 89 countries, with entries that ranged from poetry and dance to song and documentary. The event’s far-reaching impact included over 30 films made available online, complemented by several international screenings and panel discussions, engaging audiences on a global scale. Clips from some of the 2022 finalist films are shown below.
Advancing geoscience education and accessibility
Through her hands-on approach, Heather has inspired students across all age groups — from 2-year-olds to retirees — bringing geoscience directly to classrooms, public spaces and remote communities alike.
"My passion for teaching and outreach took root early in my career, particularly when I was awarded the Ogden Trust Teaching Fellowship during my PhD. I spent a year working with high school students aged 11-15 in rural northeast England, inspiring them to pursue science through interactive experiments and after-school programs.” says Heather.
Her work with students from Indigenous, refugee, and Pacific Islander backgrounds in Australia further demonstrates her commitment to widening participation and ensuring access to geoscience education.
Heather’s drive to showcase how geoscience profession contributes to sustainable development, culminated in 2022 as co-author of the open access UNESCO-AGU book “Geoscience in Action: Advancing Sustainable Development” aimed high school students and teachers along with geoscientists.
Heather has also given workshops on communication and presentation skills for PhD students within the Netherlands, Austria, Germany and Australia.
Combating misinformation and promoting geoscience through the media
Heather has taken on a prominent role in the international media (print media, radio, podcast and TV) to communicate geoscience and address misinformation around volcanic hazards.
She has featured in documentaries and TV interviews with major broadcasters, such as National Geographic, Discovery Science, RMC Découverte, SBS Australia, the BBC, and the ABC, further highlighting her commitment to making scientific insights accessible to the public on a global scale. Heather has also contributed to over 150 print media, radio, podcast and TV news pieces.
Her articles in The Conversation have received over 470,000 reads, underscoring her ability to engage the public in scientifically informed discussions on natural hazards.
In her spare time over the last four years, Heather has authored a forthcoming book on the geology and cultural heritage of volcanoes. Written in accessible language, this book will explore the connection between volcanic landscapes and human history, aimed at raising awareness of geological heritage, geoconservation, and geotourism.
Heather will be presented with her award at the 2025 EGU General Assembly in Vienna next year.
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