Mission & Vision

Mission

The Jackson School of Geosciences seeks to advance the understanding of Earth as a system, its resources, and environment, for the lasting benefit of humankind. Combining innovative research with educational experiences, we work to train future generations of geoscience leaders.

Vision

The goals of the Jackson School of Geosciences are to:

• Address fundamental geosciences questions regarding Earth’s transitions over space and time. We will lead research in the areas of Earth science that directly relate to societal challenges of the 21st century, including water, energy, natural hazards, natural resources, climate, life, land use, and soils.
• Foster a community of scholars that includes collaborative research groups that promote transformative research at the interfaces between traditional disciplines. We will develop new programs and capabilities by not only working between units within the Jackson  School, but also collaborating with other schools and colleges at The University of Texas at Austin, as well as at the state, national, and international levels.
• Provide world-class education for students at all levels by involving them in research, offering comprehensive, innovative curricula and field and practical experiences, focusing on student learning outcomes, and preparing them for successful careers so they can create, innovate, and lead the geosciences into the future.

Strategic Investment Plan

The Jackson School of Geosciences Executive Committee and faculty members representing all three units met in early 2025 to develop a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP), which will invest $1 million toward three areas of Earth science research. The research themes developed through the SIPs will build on a strong foundation of existing research programs and capabilities, and accelerate new innovations and exploratory approaches through unit collaborations.