James B. Duke Distinguished Professor, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

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 grew up in a small town in western North Carolina where my parents owned and operated a hardware store that had been in our family since 1829. I fell in love with mountains and rivers as a child and figured out how to turn this into a full-time career. I am a white woman who is deeply interested in promoting new and different voices in our scientific communities and in the academy. I keep that goal front of mind in my work running a research program, teaching ecology courses to undergraduates, and chairing a large department and I am focused on learning how to be a better ally and promoter of talented scholars from all backgrounds. I rely heavily on the training I received through two programs, the Leopold Leadership Fellows program gave me formal training in collective leadership and the Duke Teaching for Equity Fellowship program gave me a much greater understanding of systemic racism and its impact in the academy.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

Society for Freshwater Science: President (2017-2018); Executive Committee (2002-2004, 2016-2019); Annual Meeting Organizing Committee (2020-2021). Ecological Society of America: Visions Committee (2002-2003); Publications Committee (2003-2014); Secretary of the ESA Biogeosciences Section (2006-2008). Member, Science and Technical Advisory Committee (STEAC) for the National Ecological Observatory Network (2019-present). Chair of Science Advisory Committee, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook NY (2018-present)

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?

Good scientific society leadership is all about supporting the complementary objectives of promoting excellent science, building meaningful connections among scientists, and recruiting and retaining creative and diverse scholars into and through careers in science. If elected, I will devote myself to promoting the Biogeosciences and biogeoscientists within AGU. As we come out of a period of disconnection, I will be particularly focused on finding new and creative ways to connect and build community amongst student, early career and senior biogeochemists. I will be an enthusiastic supporter of the ongoing and planned efforts of the Biogeosciences Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and will solicit both creative ideas and meaningful support that further our collective intention to make the field of biogeosciences more welcoming, inclusive, and engaging so that scholars of all backgrounds and identities can thrive.

Section affiliations:

Biogeosciences; Global Environmental Change; Hydrology