As scientists, we have a responsibility to engage with the public to demonstrate the importance of continued investment in science. Scientific research has significant societal impacts beyond the lab, and it’s pivotal that scientists help advocate for the inclusion of science in public policy.

At Northwester, I served on the Executive Board of the Science Policy Outreach Task Force (SPOT)–a non-partisan organization focused on advocating for science and evidenced-based decision making to policymakers and the voting public. As a graduate student and post-doc run organization, we host numerous events and initiatives to highlight the important work that scientists are doing both inside and outside the lab. I’m particularly excited about our program to provide timely scientific advice to Illinois state legislators.

I also serve as the Student Representative for AGU’s Science and Society section. The Science and Society section works to (1) support and grow a community that actively facilitates stronger connections between societies and Earth and space sciences and (2) foster innovations within AGU that better enables discoveries and solutions in the geosciences to benefit humanity.