The training of geologists: the role of universities in the configuration of the professional field

Abstract

This article discusses the role played by universities in structuring the knowledge domains that configure different occupations in the professional field of Geology. Among the various dimensions that shape a profession, the appropriation of an expertise and its application in professional practice prevails as a central dimension. The article is based on an empirical analysis of the professional field of geology in Portugal, which includes the areas of Geology and Geological Engineering and Mining Engineering. The analysis shows how the educational offer is related with the transformations in the labour market and the strategic reposition of the professional groups in the field, contributing to its hybridisation.