The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Diversity Committee is helping shape a more inclusive and representative future for the geosynthetics industry by creating opportunities for connection, discussion, mentorship, and professional development across the global community.

Originally established as the IGS Diversity Task Force, the group was officially elevated to Committee status in recognition of its growing impact and the importance of diversity and inclusion within the Society and wider industry. This transition reflects the IGS’s ongoing commitment to supporting broader participation across all areas of geosynthetics and geotechnical engineering.

Today, the Committee is chaired by Dr. Laura Carbone, who was recently elected as IGS Vice President for the 2026–2030 term, beginning in September 2026. Under her leadership, the Committee continues to expand its activities and initiatives focused on encouraging diverse talent, supporting career growth, and strengthening engagement throughout the international geosynthetics community.

Supporting Diversity Across the Industry:

The Diversity Committee works to promote inclusion and encourage participation from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, career stages, and regions. Its activities aim to support students, young professionals, academics, researchers, and industry practitioners while helping to foster a more welcoming and connected professional community.

By creating spaces for discussion and collaboration, the Committee helps highlight the value that diverse perspectives bring to innovation, sustainability, leadership, and problem solving within infrastructure and engineering projects worldwide.

Mentorship Initiative:

One of the Committee’s newest initiatives is the launch of the IGS Diversity Committee Mentorship Initiative, designed to help strengthen connections within the global geosynthetics community and support professional development across all career stages.

The initiative aims to connect mentors and mentees from different backgrounds, regions, and professional experiences, helping participants build networks, gain industry insight, exchange knowledge, and support long-term career growth within geosynthetics and geotechnical engineering.

The programme reflects the Committee’s wider goal of creating a more supportive and accessible industry while encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing across the global IGS membership.

Join the IGS Diversity Committee Session at 13ICG:

The Diversity Committee continues to lead and support discussions focused on inclusion, accessibility, and attracting the next generation of professionals into the industry. Upcoming activities include:

Learn How to Attract Diverse Talent at the 13ICG Session

📅 17 September 2026
📍 Montreal, Canada

As part of the 13th International Conference on Geosynthetics (13ICG), the IGS Diversity Committee will host a dedicated session focused on attracting and supporting diverse talent within the geosynthetics and geotechnical sectors.

The session will explore the importance of creating inclusive pathways into engineering and infrastructure while highlighting practical ways organisations, employers, universities, and industry leaders can help attract, support, and retain talent from a wider range of backgrounds and experiences.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear perspectives from industry professionals and engage in discussions around mentorship, professional development, representation, and building a more inclusive future for the global geosynthetics community. Learn more and register here.

Why Diversity Matters in Geosynthetics:

Geosynthetics play an important role in infrastructure, environmental protection, transportation, water management, mining, and sustainable development projects around the world. As the industry continues to evolve, diverse perspectives and experiences are increasingly important in helping to drive innovation, collaboration, and resilient engineering solutions.

Through mentorship, events, professional discussions, and industry engagement, the IGS Diversity Committee is helping ensure the global geosynthetics community continues to grow in a way that is inclusive, supportive, and representative of the communities it serves.

Get Involved:

The IGS encourages members, Chapters, students, academics, and industry professionals to engage with the Diversity Committee through events, webinars, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative initiatives.

Whether attending a conference session, participating in discussions, or supporting local Chapter activities, there are many ways to contribute to building a more inclusive future for geosynthetics worldwide.

Interested in supporting a more inclusive future for geosynthetics? Follow the IGS Diversity Committee on LinkedIn to stay informed about upcoming events, mentorship opportunities, industry discussions, and initiatives focused on attracting and supporting diverse talent across the profession.