Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professor in Marine Science, Duke University, Beaufort, NC, 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.

While I acknowledge that I come from a privileged background, in my research, education and outreach I work hard to ensure that a broad and diverse range of voices are brought to conversations. Extensive international travel, living in a variety of locations and a broad interest in history have instilled me with a belief that diversity in thought and background is critical to good science, education and policy - we can all grow by learning from different perspectives. To achieve this goal, I actively work, such as through volunteering with under-represented students or through leadership of anti-racism activities on our campus, to achieve an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. 

Volunteer experience that you feel relates to this position:

Over the years I have volunteered in service to the biological oceanographic community in a variety of ways including leading sessions at numerous AGU meetings, serving as co-lead organizer for a major international symposium, and serving multiple times on the AGU fall meeting programming committee. 

The section secretary role is determined by individual sections. If needed, the secretary might be asked to serve as an alternate to the president or president-elect at a Council meeting.

As part of the section leadership team, how will you work in partnership with your president, president-elect, other leaders, and staff to communicate with and engage your members to achieve AGU’s vision, values, mission, and goals?

Starting from my first scientific meeting (AGU Ocean Sciences) 30 years ago to more recent Fall Meetings, I continue to be amazed by the remarkable discoveries, passion, and commitment of my colleagues in the ocean sciences and beyond. AGU represents an incredible assembly of Earth and space scientists who come together to form a powerful voice for the community. With this union comes great responsibility on multiple fronts. First, it is paramount that AGU continues to be the standard-bearer of excellence; whether promoting the best science, providing position statements on climate change, or many other activities, AGU should be synonymous with quality. Second, AGU can only achieve this excellence if integrity, respect and diversity are core to its activities. Third, while AGU has an impressive breadth of membership, it cannot achieve its broader goals alone – it must effectively collaborate internally and with partner organizations (e.g. stakeholders, communities, governments and companies) that have unique insight, abilities and membership. Finally, with its history, position and size, through enhanced education/outreach AGU is uniquely positioned to inspire discovery and application by future scientists and leaders. As the secretary for Biological Oceanography on the Ocean Sciences section Executive Committee, I would prioritize these fronts to support the Board, staff, other sections to achieve AGU’s vision, values, mission, and goals. To enhance representation across the section’s membership, I would solicit input and engage members using multiple platforms including informal and hosted gatherings at major scientific meetings, section communications including email and social media.