Geoscientists have an important role to play in international development, using their knowledge of Earth to improve disaster risk reduction, natural resource management, access to protected water resources, and infrastructure development. The application of this knowledge to development projects, however, requires a range of skills beyond a competence in technical geoscience. Cultural understanding, cross-disciplinary communication, diplomacy, community mobilization and participation, knowledge exchange, and an understanding of social science research tools are good foundations that are necessary for geoscientists to engage in an effective manner, reducing the likelihood of a project failing or not having maximum impact. Topical and disciplinary knowledge,...