A Brief Introduction to AGU

For over three quarters of a century, AGU has supplied an organizational framework within which geophysicists have created the programs and products needed to advance their science. From its beginnings as the representative of American geophysicists in the international scientific community, AGU has evolved beyond parochial boundaries of nation and discipline into an active community of 50,000 individuals from over 135 countries. AGU now stands as a leader in the increasingly interdisciplinary global endeavor that encompasses the Earth and space sciences.

AGU, a nonprofit scientific organization, was established in 1919 by the National Research Council and for more than 50 years operated as an unincorporated affiliate of the National Academy of Sciences. In 1972 AGU was incorporated in the District of Columbia and membership was opened to scientists and students worldwide.

AGU’s mission is to:

AGU’s activities are focused on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics. The geophysical sciences involve four fundamental areas: atmospheric and ocean sciences; solid-Earth sciences; hydrologic sciences; and space sciences.

AGU serves its diverse membership through a broad range of publications and meetings and educational and other activities that support research in the Earth and space sciences. Many AGU members are involved in research of direct societal concern such as global warming, climate change, ozone depletion, natural hazards, water supply and quality, and other environmental factors. AGU’s membership includes many of the world’s foremost geoscientists from industry, academia, and government.

The success of AGU in providing vital, relevant programs over the years is due to a responsive volunteer leadership that reflects the diverse interests of the international geophysics community.

Membership

AGU is an individual membership society open to those professionally engaged in or associated with the Earth and space sciences. Membership has increased steadily each year, doubling during the 1980s. Membership currently exceeds 45,000, of which about 20% are students. AGU attempts to encourage the broadest possible membership by maintaining individual membership dues at the lowest possible level.

Membership in AGU entitles Members and Associates to receive Eos, AGU’s weekly newspaper, and Physics Today, a magazine produced by the American Institute of Physics. In addition Members are entitled to special rates for AGU publications and meetings. All Members may vote and hold office. AGU Fellows are selected from the membership in recognition of their acknowledged prominence in some branch of the geophysical sciences.

Meetings

AGU sponsors a variety of meeting programs for its membership and other interested scientists, the media, and the general public. Many AGU meetings are unique for their interdisciplinary structure and are attended by researchers, academics, exhibitors, consultants, project managers, directors of scientific programs, and students. All meeting conveners, committee members who oversee the program, and scientists who chair sessions are AGU members who volunteer for these tasks.

AGU holds Spring and Fall meetings each year which cover all areas of the geophysical sciences. AGU also sponsors many specialized meetings that are intended to serve the needs of particular scientific disciplines or geographical areas, including the Ocean Sciences Meetings and Western Pacific Geophysical Meetings which are held in even numbered years. Small, highly focussed meetings are offered through the Chapman Conferences.

Publications

AGU’s publications program includes both general information publications and specialized and technical works in both print and electronic media. AGU currently publishes a weekly newspaper, Eos; eighteen peer reviewed research journals, of which the Journal of Geophysical Research is the largest and best known; nine book series plus a number of miscellaneous books and maps; and assorted special reports. AGU’s publications program has over the years become international in scope, and now has editors in Europe, Asia, South Africa and Australia.

AGU’s publications program is supported by volunteer scientists who serve as editors, associate editors, and reviewers, with oversight provided by AGU's Publications Committee. Each paper published by AGU is submitted to and approved by a volunteer editor appointed by the AGU President. Following peer review and any necessary revisions by the author, accepted papers are shepherded through the publication production process by the AGU staff.

Governance

The governing body of AGU is the AGU Council. The Council consists of AGU’s President, the President-elect, the immediate Past President, the General Secretary, the International Secretary and the Executive Director, and the President and President-elect of each of AGU’s 11 scientific sections. The Executive Director serves as Secretary to the Council. The Council has full responsibility for all affairs of AGU and is the representative of AGU in its external relations. The Council usually meets twice a year, at the AGU Spring and Fall meetings. Meetings are generally open to the membership.

The Executive Committee, composed of the President, the President-elect, the General Secretary, the International Secretary and the Executive Director, conducts the affairs of AGU between meetings of the Council in accordance with the policy decisions of the Council.

Outreach

In addition to advancing the geophysical sciences, AGU serves the public good by:

Activities to achieve these aims fall generally under four main categories: Public Information, Education and Careers, Public Affairs and History of the Earth and Space Sciences.