Billy Williams

AGU's Thriving Earth Exchange: Five Reasons to Join In

AGU has launched the Thriving Earth Exchange, a new initiative that supports communities as they protect themselves from hazards, adapt to a changing planet, and create sustainable futures. Through the program, AGU members will work with local leaders to contribute their Earth and space science expertise to these significant societal challenges.

Ethics Workshop Sheds Light on Gray Areas

AGUs Scientific Integrity and Professional Ethics Workshop at the 2013 Fall Meeting, held on 9 December, highlighted the courageous conversations necessary to navigate through questions of scientific integrity and professional ethics. Participants debated real-world scenarios surrounding authorship, data management, plagiarism, and conflicts of interest. These discussions emphasized the importance of preserving scientific integrity and the responsibility of each member to uphold the standards of scientific conduct.

Ethics Workshop at 2013 AGU Fall Meeting

Many important questions surround the topic of scientific integrity and professional ethics for AGU members and all Earth and space scientists, including the following:

Lecture on DEEPSEA CHALLENGE: New Science and Technology at Extreme Depths

James Cameron, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and a veteran of more than 80 manned submersible dives and 8 oceanographic expeditions, led a stimulating presentation (including first-time public video) of the innovation in engineering associated with the development of the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible and the preliminary scientific findings from CHALLENGERs explorations at extreme depths. On 26 March 2012, Cameron successfully piloted the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER—a solo passenger submersible outfitted for scientific exploration—to the oceans deepest point, where he collected samples and documented the experience in the high-resolution three-dimensional (3-D) imagery for which hes known globally.

Thriving Earth Exchange Introduced to Members at 2012 Fall Meeting

AGUs Thriving Earth Exchange made its debut in prototype format at the 2012 annual Fall Meeting. This AGU Grand Challenge initiative, originally conceived as a goal for AGUs 2019 centennial, is currently in the development stage as a platform to bring together stakeholders from around the world who are seeking help on specific issues, sponsors willing to invest in solutions, and problem solvers from our membership willing to share their time, skills, and knowledge to address these needs.

Process review under way for AGU fellows program

A new task force has been appointed and work is now under way to review and suggest improvements for the AGU Union Fellows Program. The work plan will review both the process and practices for the AGU Fellows program with over-arching goals of assuring fairness and transparency while retaining program prestige. Selection as a Fellow is one of AGUs highest honors.

Thriving Earth Exchange: AGU's new grand challenge

Imagine a world where scientists are acknowledged and celebrated for their good works. Imagine being able to make a powerful impact, applying your expertise and experience to create real solutions to ensure a sustainable future. Now imagine those two ideas linked: AGU scientists engaged in creating solutions that are recognized and celebrated for their positive impact on our world. The AGU Grand Challenge: Thriving Earth Exchange, a new idea from our member leaders, is about making this dream real.