Who are we?

We are the University of Liverpool's Earth Sciences society. We represent all undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Geology, Geology with Physical Geography, Geophysics and Environmental Geoscience. We also have a significant community of PhD students, University of Liverpool staff and alumni. 

We are one of the oldest societies at the University of Liverpool and one of the oldest student geology societies in the UK, having been founded c.1918. We are named after Lady Jane Herdman and Professor William Abbott Herdman. 

We are perhaps most well-known for organising the annual Herdman Symposium, which is now in its 52nd year. The Herdman Symposium brings together Earth Scientists from across the UK (and sometimes even across Europe and the Atlantic) to learn about new, exciting research frontiers in Earth Sciences. We also run a bi-monthly lecture series which is open to the public during term time. 

We are affiliated with Liverpool Guild of Students. We work closely with the Guild and the Department of Earth Sciences to represent and enrich the experience of Earth Sciences students at the University. We are committed to making Earth Sciences less exclusive and more accessible to all.

We are independent from, though work closely with, Liverpool Geological Society, an organisation for all amateur and professional geologists in the Liverpool area regardless of their affiliation with the University. 

Further information:

• For Professor William Abbott Herdman, we recommend this article on the 'Under the Sea' exhibit at the Victoria Gallery and Museum at the University of Liverpool.

• For Lady Jane Herdman, we recommend this article, 'Jane Herdman: Science and Sewing', by the Victoria Gallery and Museum at the University of Liverpool.