Distinguished Research Professor, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Volunteer experience that relates to this position: 

AGU Voices of Science Program — contribute to the organizations’ science communication efforts (https://blogs.agu.org/sciencecommunication/elizabeth-padilla-crespo/); Minority Striving & Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success in Earth-System Science, National Professional-Development Program (MS PHD’s) — mentor and member of their Executive Committee (Dream-Team; https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2018AGUFMED43A..03P/abstract); Ciencia Puerto Rico — guest speaker/writer, website contributor and mentor for Seeds of Success (targeting middle/high school Puerto Rican girls); Minority Institution Research Collaborative — co-director, responsible for HSI engagement (https://ceballoslab.uark.edu/minority-institution-research-collaborative-mirc/); Consortium for Ocean Leadership — booth representative at the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).

Council members play a critical role as communication conduits among AGU members and leaders. How will you engage with other students and early career scientists to share, and solicit input to, the important strategic conversations being held by the Council? Relating to AGU’s new strategic plan, what features of the plan do you think are most exciting for the student and early career communities to mobilize around?  How might you consider mobilizing this community to be most effective?

Early-career scientists (ECS) will be engaged through social media, email lists and the AGU Connect website (https://connect.agu.org/home). A targeted strategy will be established in collaboration with AGU’s discipline representatives (e.g., Biogeosciences) to funnel ECS concerns within their sections. A comprehensive outreach plan will be developed to strengthen ECS connections employing both mass and targeted outreach strategies and a range of distribution mediums. As a member of AGU's Voices for Science I can help disseminate these initiatives (https://blogs.agu.org/sciencecommunication/elizabeth-padilla-crespo/). Concerns and solicitations will be gathered via remote surveys and direct interactions in bimonthly conference calls/webinars addressing the community’s interests and needs (e.g., grantsmanship, work-life balance, road to tenure, nonacademic careers). An ECS volunteer steering committee will serve as speakers, moderators or assistants at these online sessions. A monthly newsletter (spotlight articles) will showcase the trajectory and accomplishments of ECS members. These interactive experiences anchor ECS members to AGU, providing them with active roles and limitless opportunities to contribute to the organization. This will increase their sense of belonging, identifying themselves as AGU champions. The ECS community is in an exciting position where it can uniquely propel the overarching goals of AGU’s new strategic plan, which responds to today's rapidly changing scientific enterprise, social equity, cultural awareness, science communication and other societal needs. Lastly, by partnering with other professional societies, stakeholders and grassroots groups with shared values, AGU can be stronger. As part of a coalition, policy statements, calls to action and advocacy messages can be drafted, and members can be mobilized to reach out to their elected officials, helping bridge the gap between science, policy and power.

Section affiliations: 

Biogeoscience; Education; Ocean Sciences