Senior Research Scientist and Senior Education and Communications Specialist, Planetary Science Institute and The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 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 am a white female American research scientist and educational specialist who lives in the United States and collaborates with individuals in several other countries. I live and teach in the American Southwest. I see my role as enabling students and professionals from different backgrounds to thrive in their training and profession by providing professional development, networks, and other supports. My goal is to use my privilege to enable access for those who have been traditionally left out.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

I have been an active volunteer in AGU in both planetary science and education. I have served on the Education section Fall program committee since 2017. I have also served as the Chair of AGU Planetary Sciences section Education and Public Outreach Working Group. Outside of AGU, I have served as the Education Officer for the Division for Planetary Sciences and as co-Chair of the American Astronomical Society Education working group.

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?

The Education section of AGU is one that aligns with and supports every other section of the society. One purpose of AGU is to support the mission of enabling excellent science and the integration of science into society. I will continue to work with members of the Education section to provide professional development based on the needs of members in thinking about diverse careers and in doing innovative education and public engagement. I will work with members of other sections to better understanding training to support their members and how we can leverage resources of our sections to engage more members in education and public engagement activities. I will work with non-AGU members to provide intersections where they can support AGU members and where AGU members can support them. These may be in areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility or in thinking about putting research to practice. I will also work with multiple stakeholders on identifying where knowledge gaps exist that AGU can contribute in filling. Working with members of AGU and beyond will be through ongoing meetings, in person and virtual, to build partnerships that can be cultivated and sustained as new leadership emerges. Of particular interest is to include and elevate more early career and international participants in these conversations and initiatives.

Section affiliations:

Education; Planetary Sciences; Science and Society