Learn about AGU
Who We Are
AGU is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in the Earth and space sciences.
Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.
AGU was established in 1919 by the National Research Council and operated as an unincorporated affiliate of the National Academy of Sciences for more than 50 years. We were independently incorporated in 1972.
Our definition, vision and strategic goals
Strategic plan
Discover your career at AGU
Our programs and initiatives
AGU is an innovator among scientific organizations. We pioneer new approaches to growing the exchange of scientific knowledge through publishing and meetings. We encourage and facilitate new and transdisciplinary fields of study, transforming our programs and operations as we anticipate the changing needs of our worldwide community. We promote excellence in scientific research by setting and promoting standards and best practices, strengthening the integrity of published and presented research and leveraging our science to help society worldwide.
Learn more about the exciting new ways in which we’re working every day to support and extend the reach and impact of Earth and space sciences:
Research
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
We are committed not only to advancing the Earth and space science workforce but also to creating ethical, inclusive and diverse work environments. Having more diverse voices at the table leads to new perspectives and unique ways of thinking which in turn leads to better science and novel solutions. To achieve this, we are developing strategies, programs, studies, partnerships, and policies to cultivate and sustain a diverse, inclusive and dynamic Earth and space science talent pool. This includes establishing codes of conduct to address harassment and promoting ethical leadership practices through our ethics programs. We’re also working with historically under-served communities to ensure that science is equitable in both its participation and application through our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Our workforce programs help scientists, and aspiring scientists, learn and advance in their Earth and space science careers. Through programs that improve the workplace and support the workforce, we not only strengthen the global Earth and space science community but also its impact on society.
Meetings
Science and Society
Data leadership
Through our data initiatives, we are leading the Earth and space science community in embracing data practices and policies that will accelerate the speed and transparency of science. We are working with researchers, publishers, and data repositories to develop and formally commit to best practices in open and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) data on a large scale. By making scientific data open and accessible, the pace, integrity, quality and value of science will grow.
Leadership and governance
AGU is governed by bylaws and a governance structure, and led by volunteer member leaders, all of which play a vital role in strengthening AGU for the future. Together, they work together to advance our mission and vision.
Our primary leaders are the president, who chairs the Board of Directors; the president-elect, who chairs the Council; and the executive director/CEO, who leads our staff. All three participate in Board and Council meetings to ensure consistency, continuity, and communication.
our leadership
Council
Committees
Sections
Board of Directors
Dive deeper into how we work
How we operate
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Bylaws are legal documents that define AGU’s purpose, requirements for membership, responsibilities of officers and other leaders, the structure of the organization, etc.
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Financial stewardship information provides an overview of how key decisions are made about compensation, maintaining and investing reserves and pricing for membership and programs.
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Conflict of interest documents outline a process for identifying potential conflicts of interest and information on our policies.
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Annual Reports highlight our yearly activities and achievements.
OUR COMMUNITY
AGU is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in the Earth and space sciences. One of our greatest strengths is the ability to facilitate networking and collaborations between our members, allowing you to meet with colleagues, and participate in vigorous discussion around issues in Earth and space science.
AGU Connect is our open networking and collaboration platform to help you exchange knowledge and build new connections with researchers across diverse fields. Join conversations that interest you, browse events and announcements, or discover colleagues with shared interests.