Postdoctoral Researcher, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, 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 the representation of women in geoscience has improved in recent years, there is still an imbalance, particularly in positions of leadership. However, as a cisgender white woman, I acknowledge that the privilege of my identity has removed barriers throughout my scientific career and I am dedicated to dismantling these barriers for underrepresented groups. Through my outreach experience, undergraduate mentorship, and continuing my education on JEDI topics in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), I have worked towards becoming a better ally and mentor to those from underserved communities. I plan to bring this same commitment to the AGU Council.

Coming from paleoclimatology, a field with a history of extractionist practices and parachute science, I am motivated to work towards knowledge co-production in science. My experience collaborating with national parks, universities, and local communities both in the U.S. and abroad gives me unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of this practice.

Lastly, planning early career-focused training and network building events for the Summer School on Speleothem Science gave me valuable experience that I hope to use to champion early-career scientists while serving on the AGU Council.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

2021-2023: I helped develop justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI)-focused departmental policies as a member of the Unlearning Racism in Geoscience (URGE) University of California, Irvine Earth System Science pod. 2018-2023: I participated and served as a board member for Climate Literacy, Empowerment And iNquiry (CLEAN), a graduate student-led organization that enhances climate literacy among underserved middle school students through hands-on activities. 2019-2023: I served on the committee for the summer school for speleothem science, which organizes workshops and schools focused on training and network building for those new to the field.

The student and early career voices on the Council are critical to the future of Earth and space sciences. Describe a time when you used your voice to inspire others to advance a cause, mission, or goal.

I am passionate about science outreach and was fortunate to join a well-established program when I started graduate school, Climate Literacy, Empowerment And iNquiry (CLEAN). CLEAN is a graduate student-led outreach organization that enhances climate literacy among underserved middle school students through hands-on activities. After a couple of years volunteering for CLEAN, I joined the board. My new leadership skills were immediately tested as the COVID-19 pandemic started the same year, and we were able to provide a limited number of lessons remotely. However, the larger challenge presented itself after the return to somewhat normal in-person lessons, when new participation in the program rapidly declined because of board and participant turnover.

At this point, I took a more active role on the CLEAN board. This included presenting at graduate orientations, hosting information sessions, and actively recruiting new participants and board members from the newer graduate student cohorts. I recognized the importance of ensuring leadership continuity for my departure from the committee and have continued to make myself available for mentorship to a new group of board members, including two members of the AGU Voices for Science Cohort. From meeting with the new board, I am excited to see where they take things next as they hope to expand the program.

Through these efforts, I used my voice and actions to reinvigorate an outreach program, ensuring its sustainability and growth. This experience demonstrates my commitment to advancing science education and my ability to inspire and lead others toward a common goal.

Section affiliations:

Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology