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Rachel Carson Lecture

Information on the Lecture

The Rachel Carson Lecture is presented annually and recognizes cutting-edge work in ocean science research by a woman scientist. Named in honor of the life and work of marine biologist, Rachel Louise Carson, this lecture is presented by a scientist whose work in the field of ocean science is particularly relevant to current societal concerns.

The Carson Lecture is given during the AGU Fall Meeting, and the named lecturer is recognized at the Ocean Sciences section luncheon during the AGU Fall Meeting.

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Lecturer Benefits

AGU is proud to recognize our section honorees. Recipients of the Rachel Carson Lecture will receive the following benefits with the honor:

  • 1

    Lecture certificate

  • 2

    Recognition in Eos

  • 3

    Recognition at the AGU Fall Meeting during the lecture presentation year

  • 4

    Travel assistance to the AGU Fall Meeting during the presentation year including airfare, meeting registration, and a two-night hotel stay

  • 5

    An invitation to present the Carson Lecture at the AGU Fall Meeting during the lecture presentation year

  • 6

    Complimentary ticket to the Ocean Sciences section luncheon at the AGU Fall Meeting during the lecture presentation year

Eligibility

To better understand eligibility for nominators, supporters and Ocean Sciences Honors Committee members, review AGU’s Honors Conflict of Interest Policy.

  • The nominee is not required to be an active AGU member.
  • Eligible nominees are female scientists who are working on cutting-edge ocean science research.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • The following individuals are not eligible to be candidates for the award during their terms of service:
    • AGU President;
    • AGU President-elect;
    • Council Leadership Team members;
    • Honors and Recognition Committee members;
    • Ocean Sciences section leadership;
    • Ocean Sciences Honors Committee members; and
    • All full-time AGU staff.

  • Nominators are not required to hold an active AGU membership.
  • Multiple nominators for a single candidate are encouraged to collaborate on the nomination package.
  • The following individuals are not eligible to be nominators for the award during their terms of service:
    • AGU President;
    • AGU President-elect;
    • Council Leadership Team members;
    • Honors and Recognition Committee members;
    • Ocean Sciences section leadership;
    • Ocean Sciences Honors Committee members; and
    • All full-time AGU staff.

  • Individuals who write letters of support for the nominee are not required to be active AGU members.
  • The following individuals are not eligible to be supporters for the award during their terms of service:
    • AGU President;
    • AGU President-elect;
    • Council Leadership Team members;
    • Honors and Recognition Committee members;
    • Ocean Sciences section leadership;
    • Carson Lecture Committee members; and
    • All full-time AGU staff.

The following relationships need to be identified and communicated to the Lecture Committee but will not disqualify individuals from participating in the nomination or committee review process. These apply to committee members, nominators, and supporters:

  • Current dean, departmental chair, supervisor, supervisee, laboratory director, an individual with whom one has a current business or financial relationship (e.g., business partner, employer, employee);
  • Research collaborator or co-author within the last three years; and/or
  • An individual working at the same institution or having accepted a position at the same institution.

Individuals with the following relationships are disqualified from participating in the lecture nomination process as a nominator or supporter:

  • Family member, spouse, or partner.
  • A previous graduate (Master’s or Ph.D.) and/or postdoctoral advisor, or postdoctoral fellow may not write a nomination letter but may write a supporting letter after five years of terminating their relationship with the nominee beginning on 1 January after the year the relationship was terminated.
  • A former doctoral or graduate student, or a former postdoctoral fellow may not write a nomination letter for a former advisor but may write a supporting letter after five years of terminating their relationship with the nominee beginning on 1 January after the year the relationship was terminated.
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Nomination Package

Named section lectures are not required to follow a nomination cycle process (i.e. submit a nomination package). Sections have the flexibility to adopt the process thatwill best serve their communities in seeking lecture recipients. serve their communities in seeking lecture recipients.

Your nomination package must contain the following files, which should be no more than two pages in length per document.

  • A nomination letter that states how the nominee meets the selection criteria. Nominator’s signature, name, title, institution, and contact information are required and letterhead is preferred.
  • A curriculum vitae for the nominee.
  • One additional letter of support. Supporter’s signature, name, title, institution, and contact information are required and letterhead is preferred. We encourage letters from individuals not currently or recently associated with the candidate’s institution of graduate education or employment.

Submissions

Nominations are now closed. The 2024 nomination cycle will open in January.

Email Staff
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Recipients

Tessa M Hill

2023

Corinne Le Quere

2022

Video

Lecture Title

Oceanic Pandemics from Foundation to Keystone Species

Video

Heidi M Sosik

2019

Claire B Paris

2018

Paola M Rizzoli

2017

Elizabeth V Armbrust

2016

Mary Jane Perry

2015

Bess B Ward

2014

Adina Paytan

2013

Nancy N Rabalais

2012

J A Kleypas

2009

Mary Wilcox Silver

2008

Pilar Cornejo-Rodriguez

2007

Mimi A.R. Koehl

2006

Margaret K Tivey

2005

Ann Gargett

2004

Judith A McKenzie

2003

Jane Lubchenco

2002

Susan Lozier

2001

Cindy Lee Van Dover

2000

Sharon L Smith

1999

Sallie W Chisholm

1998

Honors Contacts

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Rosa Maymi

Director, Engagement and Membership

202-777-7322 | [email protected]

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Leah Bland

Manager, Honors

202-777-7389 | [email protected]

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Hannah Hoffman

Program Manager, Fellows

[email protected]