In the UK, the University of Exeter has appointed Professor Frances Wall as Head of Camborne School of Mines (CSM). The first woman to lead CSM in its 120 year history, Professor Wall replaces Professor Robert Pine, who is retiring after six years as Head. She will lead a growing department at a significant point in its history. Based on the University’s Cornwall Campus, Penryn, CSM has recruited five new academics in the last year, adding to its unique mix of expertise in Earth sciences and engineering. It is proving increasingly popular with students from all over the world, with applications continuing to rise. With the mining industry booming and a worldwide shortage of qualified mining engineers, its graduates are in demand with the average having three job offers with starting salaries of around £30,000. Women are still in the minority though, representing 25% of geology students and just 15% of students in renewable energy and mining engineering. (more…)