2026 AGU ELECTIONS
Carol Frost
AGU Board of Directors
Director III
Bio
Professor Emerita, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
AGU embraces the global community and welcomes leaders 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 anything else you feel comfortable sharing.
AGU is the premiere professional society for Earth and space science because it embraces the global community and benefits from the varied perspective and expertise of all its members. Science is collaborative and needs the best minds of all nationalities and backgrounds. I embrace AGU’s position, which rightly prizes the diversity of its membership and promotes the active participation of all. As chair of AGU Publications Committee (2020-23), I helped to develop AGU publications policies that encourage diverse participation as authors, reviewers and editors and that formally recognize local expertise in international research; as Earth Sciences Division Director at the National Science Foundation (2013-2018) I oversaw a variety of activities to broaden participation; and as University of Wyoming Vice President for Special Projects I initiated programs, such as a humanities institute, that promote and recognize scholarship in less well-funded, often overlooked fields. In this time when climate change has become lived reality, global mineral resource needs are accelerating with the energy transition and development of advanced technologies, and AI (artificial intelligence) and big data are reshaping society—accompanied by increasing distrust of science—it takes all of us joining together to advance and communicate scientific understanding.
Volunteer experience that you feel relates to this position:
Our science depends upon volunteer support to thrive. My volunteer contributions include: leadership in professional geoscience societies (Mineralogical Society of America President (2019-20); AGU Publications Chair and Councilor (2020-23); Geological Society of America Councilor (2022-26)); international member of the British Geological Survey (BGS) Board of Directors and chair of BGS Science Advisory Committee (2023-present); co-chair of 2025 National Academies consensus study, Meeting US Mineral Resource Needs; journal editor, currently principal editor of Elements magazine
Q&A
AGU’s Board of Directors is responsible for the governance, fiduciary and reputational health of the organization and handles its business affairs. The primary role of an AGU Board director is to partner with the other Board members and staff to lead the organization.
Board members work together with other volunteer leaders and staff to play a key role in implementing AGU’s strategic plan.
How do you imagine the global science ecosystem of the future, and how should AGU steward and empower its community to strengthen the organization and ensure lasting impact?
What must we begin doing today to prepare for that future?
What skills, experiences, and perspective would you bring to the Board in service to AGU’s mission?
The global science ecosystem is already changing: for example, members of professional societies no longer renew out of loyalty and habit. Members now are interested in the value of membership—they expect access to great science conferences, that societies provide year-round engagement and networking, and provide access to career and leadership opportunities. AGU’s Board must ensure that its current and future members view AGU as their professional home. AGU must be adept at communicating with a diverse, global membership.
Science is a collaborative endeavor and professional societies like AGU play an important role in preparing for the future. AGU serves networks of people beyond its dues-paying members—AGU’s audience includes all the authors who publish with AGU. It includes Thriving Earth Exchange participants, its partners in other organizations, and also potentially the public at large. Serving such a broad base requires financial resources and financial security. AGU must broaden income streams, including more reliance on philanthropy. AGU must continue to advocate for science and push back on science misinformation.
Among the skills I will bring to the AGU Board are principles-based decision-making, experience in consensus-building, and the ability to make good, evidence-based decisions. I have found that most challenges revolve around communication, or the lack thereof. I try hard always to assume good intent. I want to meet people where they are, and to recognize people for their creative excellence. There is no better task than working towards continual improvement at AGU and helping to make the world better.