17 October 2016
Teachings from the White House Frontiers Conference
This past week I had the privilege to attend the White House Frontiers Conference in Pittsburgh. The conference focused on how investments in science, technology, and innovation are leading to promising discoveries for climate change mitigation and adaptation, the development of smart cities, and better treatments of chronic diseases. Pittsburgh proved to be an ideal setting for this conference. I grew up outside of Pittsburgh and recall the vibrant steel …
11 October 2016
Election Results Announced
On behalf of the Governance Committee, I am pleased to announce the newly elected members of the AGU Board and Council. As I said in my September post, these individuals will play an essential role within and outside the AGU community. They will collaborate with committees, task forces, other volunteers and staff to achieve our strategic goals and objectives, manage the overall health and scientific affairs of AGU, and advise …
6 October 2016
What’s the Role of the Scientific Community in Combating Sexual Harassment?
Originally posted to the Wiley Exchanges community. While sexual harassment in academia and in scientific workplaces is receiving increasing attention by the media, it is by no means a new phenomenon. Now that the topic is finally receiving some of the attention that it has long deserved, the time is right for scientific societies to lead the way to create a culture where sexual harassment, and harassment of any kind, …
3 October 2016
Five Key Takeaways from the International Geological Congress
Sue Webb, AGU International Secretary, Brooks Hanson, Director of Publications, Frank Krause, Chief Operating Officer, and I recently had the honor of representing AGU at the 35th Annual International Geological Congress (IGC) in Cape Town, South Africa. AGU hosted the Hot Topic Lounge at IGC which featured researchers presenting on breakthrough topics throughout the week. The lounge provided attendees with another forum to hear from presenters and have a follow-up …
23 September 2016
UPDATE: AGU Board Maintains Its Decision Regarding ExxonMobil
UPDATE (29 November 2016): In September, the AGU Board voted to maintain its April 2016 decision (see below) to continue engagement with ExxonMobil, including allowing the organization to sponsor AGU’s Student Breakfast event at the Fall Meeting. That decision was communicated to AGU’s members, as well as to representatives of ExxonMobil. ExxonMobil has since informed AGU that they do not intend to sponsor the Student Breakfast at the 2016 Fall Meeting. We …
1 September 2016
The AGU Elections and You: Why Every Vote Matters
Did you know that every 2 years, AGU members elect the people who will lead the organization for the next 4 or more years? That process has launched for this cycle, and we want you to vote. You have until 27 September to cast your votes! The leaders you elect play an essential role in decisions on how to advance Earth and space science both within and outside the scientific …
18 August 2016
Laying a Foundation for Diversity in Earth and Space Sciences
Carol Finn, Eric Davidson and I stated in a recent post “Why Building Diversity in the Earth and Space Sciences Matters,” that “we cannot live up to all that our mission promises if the Earth and space science community is not representative of humanity.” AGU recognizes the important role we play and the obligation we have as an organization to not only ensure a workplace climate for Earth and space …
11 August 2016
Exxon, AGU, and Corporate Support
Throughout this year, AGU has been communicating with groups of scientists, both members and non-members, that have called on us to sever any sponsorship relations with ExxonMobil. As this conversation continues, ClimateTruth.org will be promoting a letter and subsequent public petition furthering this effort in advance of AGU’s September Board meeting. You can view the petition here. This issue will be reviewed and addressed at the September Board meeting, and …
AGU Expands into Geohealth, Starting with New Journal
Originally posted on Eos.org I’m so pleased to share news of a project that has finally come to fruition after much hard work and support from the leaders of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Today, our organization formally embraces the emerging field of geohealth, which encompasses Earth, atmospheric, ocean, and environmental sciences; ecology; agriculture; and health. AGU enters into this emerging field with the launch of a new journal, entitled …
7 August 2016
AGU Publications, Continuing to Lead
Over the past several years, AGU has continually evolved its publishing program for both journals and books. Some of the evolution has been incremental, such as adding commentaries and social media sites for certain journals, some has been more consequential, such a instituting a 24-month rolling embargo for all journal content published after 1997, and some has been in response to changes in science, such as the launch of two …
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.