Zonia Baber’s pioneering role in the evolution of Geoscience Education

Annachiara Rosati¹, Luisa Sabato¹ & Marcello Tropeano^1
1Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Edoardo Orabona 4, 70125, Bari.
Corresponding author e-mail: annachiara.rosati@uniba.it

Zonia Baber (1862–1956) emerges among pioneering figures in geosciences as an innovative influence, bridging disciplinary boundaries and exemplifying how geosciences can serve as a vehicle to address complex social, cultural, and environmental issues. Baber’s contributions present an opportunity to critically reassess the field’s pedagogical and ethical frameworks while underscoring its inherently interdisciplinary nature. As a professor of geography and geology at the University of Chicago and other institutions at all educational levels, Baber challenged the rigid and exclusionary frameworks of her time demonstrating resilience, creativity, and intellectual foresight. This article delves into her keen teaching philosophy and practices, offering a compelling reflection on her enduring impact on the evolution of geoscience pedagogy.

history of geosciences, women in geosciences, geoscience education, interdisciplinary education, experiential learning.