Professor, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

AGU embraces the global community and welcomes diverse leaders from around the world, representing various identities, voices, and perspectives. List any identities, voices, and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and any other identity you feel comfortable sharing.

I have lived in seven countries, including five years in the USA. I consider myself a global citizen who wants to see the organizations I serve reflect all of society - or all of its membership - rather than subsets of society or membership. I collaborate actively with colleagues in many countries and see internationality as one of the most rewarding aspects of being a scientist. AGU is both American and global. I would bring a voice that recognizes both with a deep and long-practiced commitment to inclusive leadership. AGU has been throughout my career the most important organization in my professional life. I am happy to serve AGU because I share its values completely, including: commitment to excellence, integrity, respect, diversity, collaboration, and education. I have served for 15 years in senior leadership roles in universities, so I have a deep understanding of the issues faced by researchers with extensive experience in representing their voices through the management and governance channels of complex organizations. I am committed to providing such leadership in whatever roles I serve.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

AGU service: Associate Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth and Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems; Member, Geomagnetism, Paleomagnetism and Electromagnetism (GPE) Honors Committee; Member, GPE Canvassing Committee; active nominator and supporter of deserving colleagues through the AGU Honors system. Wide service on international committees: e.g., International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) JOIDES Resolution Facility Board; grant panels in the USA (including the National Science Foundation), U.K., Norway, Australia, and New Zealand and many review and advisory committees in eleven countries.

This leadership position is a liaison role; it is one that aims to catalyze community and build AGU as envisioned by the strategic plan. How will you engage with members of your section to advance AGU’s strategic plan? How will you facilitate engagement with other sections and people outside AGU to support our mission?

I consider it a privilege to serve AGU, which is the world’s largest and most important international Earth and space science organization. Our science is incredibly relevant to the needs of the modern world. A well-functioning AGU is critical to fostering an environment in and through which our critical work is informed and disseminated. A key aspect of the role of a section President is to liaise with section members, with leaders of other sections, with AGU, and people outside of AGU to further the mission and strategy of AGU. I have proven experience in all of these roles and am a people- and results-oriented leader. I engage widely with the GPE community in person at conferences and remotely via electronic means, which will enable me to represent the needs and desires of section members within AGU. Through long-term service in university leadership roles, most recently leading an organizational component with 700 employees, I have experience in representing the views and needs of a large community within an organization. I am also experienced in working with leaders of other organizational components to secure outcomes of mutual benefit. Section Presidents sit on AGU Council, which is responsible for the scientific direction of AGU. Through service on two company boards, I have experience of organizational governance to ensure delivery in relation to a strategic plan. I would be honored to put my proven leadership and service experience to work on behalf of section members and AGU as GPE President.

Section affiliations:

Geomagnetism, Paleomagnetism and Electromagnetism