FACULTY RESOURCES
AGU’s Heads and Chairs program
The Heads and Chairs program is a venue for discussing important issues common to departments representing Earth and space science, including research funding, program assessment, modernization of postsecondary curricula, increasing faculty diversity, and student career planning. The program is comprised of three components: an annual workshop, monthly webinars, and a closed virtual networking community on AGU Connect.
- Each year, Heads and Chairs holds a one-day workshop at AGU’s Fall Meeting. It provides the opportunity to meet other department leaders, discuss strategies for building a strong department, and learn more about current issues.
- The American Geosciences Institute and AGU’s Heads and Chairs program collaborate to provide critical support for Earth and space science departments through a monthly webinar series that addresses issues raised by department heads and chairs.
- The Heads and Chairs online community provides an opportunity to engage with other leaders, share ideas and resources, and seek advice on issues facing your department. Email Pranoti Asher to join the conversation.
- AGU Heads and Chairs meets jointly on a biennial basis with the Heads and Chairs of Atmospheric Sciences departments. View the 2022 meeting agenda.
Additional resources for educators and faculty
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AGU Ethics and Equity Center – Learn how to implement best practices in ethics and equity within your department and find resources to help you contribute to a positive work climate in science.
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Building Strong Geoscience Departments website – Find resources that highlight strategies and tools from the National Association of Geoscience Teachers’ (NAGT) Building Strong Geoscience Departments project.
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The Traveling Workshops program - Strengthen your courses or programs by applying to the NAGT Traveling Workshops program and bringing national leaders in geoscience education to your campus or regional event.
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Mentoring programs - Encourage your students to get involved in one of AGU’s mentoring programs to help them navigate a successful Earth and space science career. We also need mentors.
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NSF ADVANCE department heads portal – Find tools and resources for department leaders that were compiled and developed by ADVANCE grantees.
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Student competitions – Help your students gain valuable professional skills as a scientist by encouraging them to sign up for a competition. We also are regularly recruiting volunteer judges.
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K-12 education resources – Learn more about sharing Earth and space science with a K-12 audience through activities and resources from AGU.
Unique Research Experiences for two-year College faculty and Students (URECAS)
In 2012, AGU held a planning workshop for a new initiative concerning two-year college student research. The workshop was supported by the National Sciences Foundation Geosciences Directorate (Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences award #1201578). Read the report from the URECAS workshop or contact Pranoti Asher, Higher Education Manager, if you have questions.
