My hiking boots at the Grand Canyon.

The Geology in Heels website began as a gift from my brother after I shared photos from a Grand Canyon trip — yes, wearing heels on the outcrop. His idea was simple: create a space to celebrate that you can be both yourself and serious about science.

The heels became an inside joke in 2014 during a magnetic survey trip in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. I arrived at the hotel in my usual campus footwear — 5.5" heels — and my advisor asked, “Are those your hiking boots?” Obviously, they weren’t, but that moment sparked a gag: bringing heels into the field for photos at spectacular outcrops.

Early in my career, I noticed that in male-dominated fields like geology, personal style — especially anything seen as “feminine” — could be met with skepticism. My heels became a quiet statement that competence isn’t dictated by dress codes. This site shares that message through photos, field stories, and volcanic adventures, encouraging others to bring their authentic selves into their work — whether that’s in heels, boots, or something in between.