Environmental scientists still lack modelling skills

The critical skills gaps in environmental sciences identified in a 2010 Living with Environmental Change report have not changed, according to an updated assessment of the field.

The most pressing skills gap is still in modelling techniques. The next four highest priority skills gaps—identified through consultation with researchers, industry and policymakers—are multi-disciplinarity, data management, numeracy and translating research into practice.

Although the update, produced by the Natural Environment Research Council, says that the lack of change between this and the 2010 review is “not unexpected”, as training takes time, it highlights the need to invest in these areas. The report is based on 130 responses, a quarter from business and industry, which is more than NERC received in 2010. It identifies 83 skills gaps in total.