31 October 2019
Special Election to Fill AGU Board Vacancy Begins 4 November
Owing to unforeseen family circumstances, AGU Board director Chris Ballentine recently resigned. Chris was in his second term on the Board and was due to rotate off in December 2020. AGU president Robin Bell asked the Leadership Development and Governance Committee to explore how best to fill the vacancy. The Leadership Development and Governance Committee recommended that AGU hold a special election. Because the usual biennial process to identify and …
17 October 2019
AGU’s October Board Meeting: A Report from the Crow’s Nest
By Jill Karsten, Member of AGU’s 2019-2020 Board of Directors
As a former sea-going scientist, I was reminded during the recent AGU Board meeting (2-4 October) about the distinct roles played by a ship’s crew and the scientific party. The scientific party, much like the AGU Council, is responsible for thinking about how best to advance scientific research. They consider what types of collaborations, instrumentation, and data are needed to achieve such goals, as well as the best sites for …
16 October 2019
AGU Makes Strides in 2019 Union Awards, Medals, and Prizes
By Robin Bell, AGU President and Susan Lozier, AGU President-Elect
Each year at Fall Meeting, AGU honors a distinguished group of scientists by conferring the Union Medals, Awards and Prizes. These individuals are recognized for their “significant contributions to the Earth and space sciences through scientific research, education, communication, outreach, and sustained impact.” While AGU represents more than 60,000 scientists from 130 plus countries, demographic analysis of past award honorees has shown that — when controlling for career stage and …
14 October 2019
First Class of Austin Student Travel Endowment Grantees Awarded
We are pleased to announce the inaugural Austin Endowment grantees, 15 student recipients who represent the diversity, depth, and breadth of the Earth and space science community. Last October, AGU kicked off the Austin Student Travel Grant Challenge, a historic campaign intended to grow AGU’s capacity to support student travel to meetings. Scientist and AGU Development Board member Jamie Austin pledged to match all donations made by AGU membership and …
8 October 2019
AGU CEO Announces Leadership Transition
It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that Chris McEntee, our CEO and executive director, has informed us that she will be departing AGU at the end of the first quarter of 2020. During her tenure, her remarkable leadership has positioned AGU as the leading voice and convener of Earth and space science globally. She has led key initiatives that have increased the relevance and value of Earth …
25 September 2019
AGU’s Journal Space Weather to Become Open Access
As we celebrate our Centennial year, AGU strives to promote and support the Earth and space sciences, and this includes increasing access to journal content. Starting 17 October, the AGU journal Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications (SWE), devoted to the understanding and forecasting of space weather, will transition to an open access model with all articles accepted after that date accessible free of charge to readers. Space …
24 September 2019
AGU Releases Report to Address Flooding in Communities
AGU’s global community of Earth and space scientists has contributed research and expertise to our understanding of—and solutions for—climate change, natural hazards, and their related impacts on people. Climate change, the increasing severity of extreme weather, and resulting floods are health and economic crises that we cannot ignore. To highlight the role that science plays to help address and mitigate issues such as flooding in communities across the United States, …
18 September 2019
Federal agency moves, vacant science positions create concerns about “brain drain” in the U.S. scientific enterprise
Recently, there have been media reports that some federal agencies—namely, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and parts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—are planning to move headquarters science staff far outside the Washington, D.C. area, causing many scientists to choose to leave these agencies rather than relocate. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) has left hundreds of scientific positions vacant, putting stress on …
13 September 2019
AGU Position Statements Now Open for Member Comment
Every 4 years, AGU’s members have a chance to weigh in on position statements critical to maintaining the role of science in our society. Make sure your voice is heard. Starting today, 13 September 2019, AGU members will have 30 days to comment on revisions to two position statements: one on data and one on climate change. This open comment period is both an important opportunity for and responsibility of …
9 September 2019
AGU supports scientific integrity and the critical work of government scientists
AGU believes in science free of interference and political influence. We support our members and all scientists at federal agencies in the U.S. and around the world who make decisions and announce findings based on evidence and incontrovertible facts. These scientists, including those at NOAA and the National Weather Service, frequently provide research that protects our lives, communities, economy, and security. Interference with their work can impact lives and property …
From the Prow is a two-way conversation between AGU’s leaders and the broad Earth and space science community they serve. It features discussions on trends, Union programs and initiatives, and reflections on the strategic direction of the organization.