Science and Society Dialogues

Science & Society Dialogues

In 2022, the AGU Science and Society (SY) section initiated a dialogue series to engage with a broad community of people (beyond AGU Fall Meeting participants) who are interested in science and society issues.

• In the 2022 edition of the SY Dialogues, we introduced the SY tracks through a series of interactive discussions with experts in the areas of art and science, science policy, community and citizen science, science communication and social and behavioral sciences.
• The 2023 edition of our conversations featured cross-cutting discussions relevant to all tracks on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) as they relate to important and timely Science and Society relevant themes.
• In 2024, the discussions have a student early career lens with topics including career pathways in science and society, a deep dive linking atmospheric sciences and society, and preparing for the AGU Annual meeting. Check this webpage for updates!

Dialogues 2024

Dialogue 2

Intersections between Science & Society and Atmospheric Sciences   | 23 Oct 2024

Watch the video recording | Also check out the full AGU Science and Society YouTube playlist

Description: Members of the AGU Science and Society section often work at the intersection of another of AGU’s sections. This October's jointly-organized webinar highlights the ways in which research in atmospheric sciences is informed by connections between science and society. This will be an online panel discussion with three researchers whose work bridges science and society and atmospheric sciences.

Speakers:

Jan-Michael Archer is an anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist labor organizer and PhD Candidate at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. He has worked on several projects employing low-cost sensors and community-engaged methods to collaborate with residents in environmental justice communities who are regularly overburdened by toxic air pollution. More recently, Jan has focused on cumulative impacts policy with a goal of promoting more rigorous multi-pollutant monitoring and stricter air permitting regulation.

Genie Lorenzo Ph.D. recently completed an Atmospheric Sciences PhD at the University of Arizona and is now a postdoctoral associate at the University of Miami where she studies aerosol particles and cloud data from ground sensors, aircraft, and satellites. Genie is from the Philippines, where she worked with Manila Observatory on air quality and extreme weather research and where she learned to connect science to everyday life. Genie hopes that sharing her research with the general public, especially disadvantaged communities and students, will foster communal engagement and growth in appreciation and responsibility over our shared atmosphere.

Katelyn Rediger is a fourth year PhD candidate in the department of Chemistry at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Katelyn was a part of a field campaign in Mineola, NY in the summer of 2023 where she spent six weeks doing online atmospheric measurements. Her research is based on analysis of this dataset to better understand anthropogenic influences on air quality in a marine urban environment- asking, more particularly, if household cleaning, personal care and other consumer products are emitted at high enough concentrations to compete with other, more traditional emissions from the transportation sector, industry and the ocean. In her free time, Katelyn likes to bake, dance, bike, and spend time with her rabbit, Luna.

Gaige Kerr Ph.D. (he/him) is an Assistant Research Professor and Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at George Washington University. His research portfolio focuses on environmental health and equity issues associated with emissions and ambient air pollution.

Dialogue 1

Career Paths in Science & Society | 24 Sep 2024

Watch the video recording | Also check out the full AGU Science and Society YouTube playlist

Description: Trying to shape a career that leverages science for social impact? Join our Science & Society Dialogues event on 24 September 2024 at noon ET for a discussion with panelists from government, non-profit, and the private sector as they share their career journeys, experiences, and strategies for building impactful interdisciplinary careers.

Speakers:

Louise Arnal Ph.D. is a hydrologist at Ouranos and an artist, merging science and art to engage with environmental issues. She holds degrees in Environmental Sciences, Hydrology, and a PhD from the University of Reading. Louise has curated art-science projects and founded the Virtual Water Gallery.

Zhimin Mao Ph.D. is a Senior Water Sector Specialist at the World Bank and has over 10 years of experience in water and climate issues across Asia, Europe, and the USA. She worked as a policy analyst at RAND Corporation and a post-doc at Harvard before joining the World Bank. Zhimin has led impactful multi-sectoral projects in Europe and South Asia.

Heather McInnis  Ph.D. is a Vice President at The Implementation Group, providing strategic research planning and evaluation. At TIG, Heather leverages her interdisciplinary science training and research development and assessment experience to assist universities, research coalitions, and program leaders to advance STEM initiatives and build research excellence and capacity. She previously served as Associate Director at AAAS, leading reviews of large-scale STEM programs.

Kian Mintz-Woo Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer at University College Cork, Ireland, and a member of the Irish Government’s Carbon Budgets’ Working Group. He focuses on carbon pricing, including taxes, and the ethics of negative emissions technologies. His recent work addresses loss and damage in post-Paris climate policy.

Kathryn (Kate) Semmens Ph.D. is the Science Director of the Nurture Nature Center, leading science education, climate action, and community resiliency projects. She holds a Ph.D. in environmental and earth sciences and has worked with the USDA and Pew Environment Group. Kate is passionate about the integration of science and art and is part of the AGU’s Science and Society Executive Committee, an AGU Thriving Earth Exchange Hub coordinator, and part of the editorial board for AGU’s Community Science Exchange Hub and Journal.

Dialogues 2023

Dialogue 1: Leveraging Science to Take Action for Social Justice: Conversations from the Field | 18 Sep 2023

Watch the video recording | Also check out the full AGU Science and Society YouTube playlist

Description: Scientist-community partnerships can make both research and advocacy more impactful by leading to more effective and equitable policy change. This session will feature the variety of ways in which scientists and social scientists are using their expertise in service of community-based organizations who are leading advocacy efforts for more evidence-based and justice-centered environmental policies and outcomes. We will also highlight ways in which community-based organizations are involving scientists and social scientists in their advocacy work to make policy change.

Speakers: Isatis Cintrón Rodríguez, Micaela Martinez , Morgan Zabow, Deb L. Morrison | Contact: Haley Crim

Dialogue 2: Fostering Social Justice Allyship and Solidarity Across the Sciences | 23 Sep 2023

Recording not available.

Description: The session explores the concept of allyship and how individuals and communities can support each other as they pursue social justice principles through their research and teaching–especially focusing on how folks are cultivating and fostering such alliances. We will also discuss ways to build stronger alliances across different scientific and epistemic communities.

Speakers: Donna Ford, Karen Bailey, Jabari Jones, Seigi Karasaki | Contact: Urooj Raja

Dialogues 2022

Did you miss Dialogues 2022?

No problem, you can watch the video recordings on our AGU Science and Society YouTube Playlist here and each video link is below. Work at the science and society interface benefits from increased awareness of, and research in, how to share science, collaborate with the arts, inform policy making, and effectively work with communities and decision makers. The AGU Science & Society (SY) Dialogues series held from July to November 2022 aimed to share knowledge in these key areas, which also align with our SY Tracks.

Dialogues 2022 Video Recordings

• Art & Science - recording
• Science Policy - recording
• Community & Citizen Science - recording
• Science Communication - recording
• Social & Behavioral Sciences - recording