Building Key Competencies for 21st Century Scientists

Early-career scientists, specifically at the postdoctoral level, are uniquely positioned to advance the systemic changes needed in the Earth and space sciences as well as other disciplines in science, technology, engineering, arts, math and medicine (STEAMM).

In the years following graduate studies, scientists develop both their identities; and personal values as professionals, researchers, educators and mentors. Often, scholars depict postdoctoral researchers as facing precarious conditions; concerning job security; and diverse personal responsibilities. A small body of scholarship about postdoctoral researchers in and out of the United States poses that this group faces increasing barriers.

The AGU LANDInG-PRFP (NSF Award Number:2123549) fills an existing gap of professional learning and development opportunities that offers critical competencies anchored in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and other needed competencies for successful 21st-century scientists at this critical transition. This two-year program is designed to maximize the future success of a national cohort of 60+ STEMM Postdoctoral Fellows as professionals, scientists, mentors and educators.

AGU LANDInG-PRFP program offers 1) a robust curriculum rooted in DEI theory and practice and relevant Earth and social sciences; 2) relationship-building and networking, peer-to-peer support; 3) career and DEI toolkit development, and 4) leadership opportunities. The program includes an orientation, a graduation, regular virtual meetings, a 1.5-day annual hybrid conference, and an AGU Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

AGU LANDInG-PRFP will leverage the resources and reach of the currently funded AGU LANDInG (ICER 2036823). The program is tailored for the National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships from the Office of Polar Programs and the Division of Ocean Sciences in the Geosciences Directorate. In the future, AGU is looking to expand this program beyond Ocean and Polar Sciences.

Early-career scientists, specifically at the postdoctoral level, are uniquely positioned to advance the systemic cultural shift needed to correct these trends. In the years following graduate studies, scientists develop independent professional identities and their personal values as researchers, educators and mentors. LANDInG-PRFP will fill an existing gap of professional development opportunities that address DEI and other needed competencies for successful 21st-century scientists at this critical transition. For these reasons, AGU is looking to expand the program beyond these two divisions.

Within Earth sciences, the PRFP program may be the only professional learning and development program of its kind.

Applicants for the AGU LANDInG Postdoctoral Research Fellows Program must apply and obtain NSF Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Geosciences Directorate in the Division of Ocean Sciences and Office of Polar Program. Please consult the respective fellowship application websites.

• Oceans Science Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

• Office of Polar Programs Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

Based on evaluations from 2021-2023 years, Fellows highlighted the following aspects of their participation in PRFP:

• Gratitude for the fellowship and program leaders, who fostered a network of like-minded individuals focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work.
• Appreciation for resources such as inclusive mentoring, grant-writing support, and exposure to diversity statements.
• Strengthening of Resume/CVs, job opportunities, and gain of new perspectives on future career options attributed to PRFP support.
• Enhanced professional development experience through virtual meetings, interactions with fellow postdocs, and discussions on relevant topics such as anti-DEI laws and inclusive learning practices.
• Value of connections with other postdocs, both in large and small group discussions, and interactions with NSF program officers

“Including identity and intersectionality in science communication storytelling is a really effective tool for adding humanity to a scientist and such that these individuals can serve as role models for future generations.” – Alumni Fellow July 2024

"My new supervisor is… extremely supportive of my commitment to completing the LANDInG program and agreed that my time spent with LANDInG is an important part of my professional development in this new role….Thank you for all your work with LANDInG, this has been a really meaningful training program for me." - Alumni Fellow June 2023

"Aixa, thank you also for the ideas you offered during our check in in early May. Your suggestions of things to think about and talk through with NSF were really helpful as I was negotiating my position [full time job as staff in a university/STEM education research program for historically marginalized groups]  and helped me find a version of this job transition that works really well for me." - Alumni Fellow June 2023

The PRFP allows values feedback for improvement, and we are always adjusting our program to adjust to our fellows needs. Some feedback we have received include:

• Focus on personal career advancement
• Desire for more emphasis on DEI learning
• More constructive feedback provided
• Suggestions for streamlining communication methods
• Incorporating more active learning and engagement activities
• Allocating more time for small group discussions
• Debrief sessions after emotionally challenging topics
• Considering time zone variations for scheduling
• Structured breaks
• Sessions focused on practical training topics
• More opportunities for processing and discussing conference content