Ambassador Award Committee

Night sky with the milky way and stars over an empty road, USA.

AMBASSADOR AWARD COMMITTEE

Committee Members (2022-2023)

Name	Institution	Committee Role
Alison Thieme	USDA - Agricultural Research Service	Committee Chair
Eliot Atekwana	University of Delaware	Member
Rene Chavez	National Autonomous University of Mexico	Member
Amanda Clarke	Arizona State University	Member
Gyami Shrestha	Lynker Corporation	Member
Michael C. Wimberly	University of Oklahoma	Member
Chun Zhao	University of Science and Technology of China	Member

Committee charge

The committee is charged with selecting the recipient(s) of the Ambassador Award and the Spilhaus Ambassador Award Grant. Committee members will abide by AGU’s Honors Conflict of Interest Policy, program policies, procedures and guidelines set by AGU. In partnership with the Honors and Recognition Committee and staff, the committee works to ensure that the program is superior in all respects, recognizes all constituents, and fosters a global network of individuals in the Earth and space sciences who epitomize excellence and cooperation in research, education, and outreach. The members of the Ambassador Award Committee will promote excellence and transparency, allowing broad input and recognition beyond disciplinary awards, promoting diversity and equity so that the Ambassador Award is sufficiently representative of underrepresented groups.

Professor teaching class of students at Fall Meeting

Key initiatives

The Ambassador Award Committee supports the following initiatives and duties. Their work is completed primarily through the online submission and review system, and by teleconference and email.

1

Review data from Ambassador Award selection processes for the past years to determine if the program is achieving AGU’s relevant goals.
2

Examine and report on program data to determine whether the number and quality of AGU Ambassador Award nominations are competitive.
3

Select the Ambassador Award recipients.
4

Recommend, implement, and evaluate strategies used to increase diversity of nominations.
5

Participate in training, orientations, and workshops on associated Honors and Recognition policies and processes.
6

Understand and commit to AGU’s Conflict of Interest policy and process.
7

Provide input and recommendations to the Honors and Recognition Committee on program improvements.
8

Partner with AGU leaders and staff, as well as other societies to resolve common issues among scientific communities’ rewards and recognition programs.