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2 March 2021
Social Science, Social Media, and Serendipity
What could possibly have motivated me to boldly attempt a social science research project in the middle of a geophysics PhD? Serendipity.
26 February 2021
#AnarcticLog: Canaries in the Coal Mine
When it come to climate change and its impact on the animal world, there’s more than one “canary in the coal mine.” To mix a few potent metaphors, the dominoes are falling — and, if it’s true that God is in the details, it’s fair to say that individual animals help tell the story. As I work to make climate change science accessible and comprehensible through #AntarcticLog, I’ve found myself leaning on keystone species. The assortment featured here tell separate stories about the effects of global warming, and they add up to a clear picture of what’s happening.
22 February 2021
Keeping socially connected with science podcasts
March 2020 may have marked the closure of gates to physical spaces for science engagement, but it also opened the portal to new social spaces to keep the science conversations going. This is exactly what happened to my institution and a local arboretum, where an existing partnership that relied upon on-site programming found a new way to continue and grow our collaborations.
19 February 2021
#AntarcticLog: Ivan the Terrabus
Finally, lest you think my life is all blissful polar adventure, let me share a regret: I have not yet ridden in Ivan the Terrabus, the most excellent vehicle that carries people from the airstrip to the home-away-from-home known as Mactown — McMurdo Station.
12 February 2021
#AntarcticLog: Antarctic Classics
Who’s reading #AntarcticLog comics? Lots of different people actually. At first I thought it was just my friends and family, but as I began to cover the work of particular scientists, it caught the attention of the science community, as well. Science communicators paid attention, and — sure enough — Antarctica worked its magic on the general population, especially teachers and their students.
8 February 2021
Lights, Camera, Action! Video content production and dissemination during distance learning
As much of the world’s population sheltered in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists and organizations stepped forward to create and share ‘zero-budget’ educational video content directly with students and the public. Using only phones, computer cameras, video conferencing apps and tools readily available to us as geoscience professionals, we created video content covering topics ranging from rock identification and interpretation, to the physics of hazards and geotravel.
5 February 2021
#AntarcticLog: Not the antarctic
As I studied up on phytoplankton, the subject of my team’s research at Palmer, I recalled an earlier trip, in the Arctic, where I had the chance to see diatoms unknown to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute scientist Sam Laney running the Imaging Flow Cytobot as we traveled through the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.
1 February 2021
Supporting scientists who communicate: Roles for universities and scientific societies
Many scientists feel that science communication must be done in their “free time.” It becomes a hobby or a side gig, in tension with the expectations that most departments and universities have for scientists to devote the vast majority of their time and energy to research. The current academic “system” — the policies that determine hiring, promotion, and tenure decisions, the allocation of resources, and the training available to scientists — does not sufficiently incentivize or value science communication.
28 January 2021
#AntarcticLog: Adequate Earth
#AntarcticLog was my primary project under the National Science Foundation’s Antarctic Artists and Writers Program. This week, a group of artists and writers from this program are doing something big, and I wanted to tell you about it.
25 January 2021
Translating science for policymaking
During my postdoc, I started exploring other career options different from academia. Through this exploration, I ended up building a career seminar series and organizing a symposium, and these experiences peaked my interest in training. I wanted to pursue a career path that would focus on creating educational programs and opportunities for early career researchers, but could never get a job in that space
22 January 2021
#AntarcticLog: The Future of Science & Action
Thanks to voices like these, my ears are tuned — and my heart is ready — for serious and swift progress on saving the earth for future generations. May our leaders be strong and brave.
21 January 2021
#DrawnToGeoscience: Cosmic Bodies and Medical Art
Throughout my life I have been drawn to both science and art. Animals, plants, and rocks interested me greatly as a young kid, and in high school I became intrigued by internal human anatomy, particularly hearts, brains, and skulls (to match the emo and metal music I listened to, of course). All the while, I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil and depicted anything I found remotely interesting. Animals, mermaids, people, mythological creatures, bones and plants can all be found in my stacks of early sketchbooks.
19 January 2021
In memoriam: AGU former president Peter Eagleson
While we mourn Dr. Eagleson’s passing, we know his legacies will endure. His contributions to AGU and our community are remembered with great appreciation.
15 January 2021
Introducing #RhymeYourResearch
Today we are introducing a new series: #RhymeYourResearch. Inspired by our yearly workshop at our annual meeting, and a close working relationship with the folks over at Consilience, an online poetry journal exploring the spaces where the sciences and the arts meet, we want to feature folks who create science poems.
#AntarcticLog: Science & Action
If ever there was a shaky time, this is one. I can say that from the perspective of my years. But for kids, it’s the only time they know. So I’m especially impressed at the ones who speak up, and I’m finding them all over the world. I want to draw and quote them all — whether they’re famous (Nobel prize contenders like Greta Thunberg, who just turned 18 last week) or not, part of worldwide initiatives or lone actors.
11 January 2021
Science communication, policy, and outreach jobs/fellowships 2021
As someone who transitioned out of academia (mostly), I get asked this question a lot: Where should I look for scicomm/policy jobs and fellowships? Well, I have some suggestions.
9 January 2021
Science and facts are the underpinnings of a civil society
As one of the leading worldwide scientific societies, AGU’s community is dedicated to advocating for a civil society that values science and facts.
8 January 2021
#AntarcticLog: Goodbye 2020
Happy New Year! Here’s a comic for the new year that looks back at some of the damage done. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to 2021. How about you? It helps to have rose-colored glasses, otherwise known as a positive view. This could come from an excess of irrational optimism. Or it could come from young activists who often hashtag posts about their activities to fight climate change with #fridaysforfuture.
3 January 2021
#AntarcticLog: Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Let’s share a cup of something-or-other for days of time gone by — even if it’s champagne to express our joy at seeing the back of 2020.
24 December 2020
Top AGU news and views from 2020
As we look back on 2020, we wanted to share some of the top news and views coming out of AGU.
