The deadline for the July Cohort has been extended to June 8, 2022
Call for Community Science Fellows
Community Science Fellows are committed volunteers who are eager to facilitate and lead collaborative, co-developed community science projects that produce on-the-ground impact in local communities. Fellows selected for this cohort will receive training in the Thriving Earth Exchange community science process, mentorship from AGU Thriving Earth Exchange staff, connectivity to a growing network of Community Science Fellows, and the opportunity to serve as leaders in the community science movement. The skills that Fellows hone prepare them to manage diverse teams, work across disciplinary boundaries, and connect science to action.
Selected Community Science Fellows will be required to participate in a 2-day training workshop on July 13-14, 2022. There is no cost to Fellows to participate and training will be held online.
Continue reading for more information. Ready to apply? Click here.
What to Expect
This is a volunteer service and professional development opportunity. Selected Community Science Fellows will be matched to a community* interested in working with a scientist to advance a local priority and trained and supported in managing their projects by AGU Thriving Earth Exchange staff. Projects will cover a range of themes related to climate change, meteorology, hydrology, resilience, sustainability, and health.
Through Thriving Earth Exchange, technical experts and community leads come together to design projects that can have an impact on the community priority with creativity, in-kind support, and resources at hand. Examples of past projects include Assessing Flood Risks for Community-Led Action in Gulfport, Mississippi, Updating a Climate Vulnerability Assessment in Santa Cruz, California, and Monitoring Plastic Pollution in Staunton, Virginia, among many others!
Projects will launch following training in July 2022. Once launched, projects typically conclude within 6-18 months. Community Science Fellows will participate as a member of a cohort of approximately 8-15 Fellows, with opportunities to engage with past and present Fellows from several cohorts. More about engagement with Thriving Earth Exchange is described here.
If you do not have a pre-existing relationship with local community leaders, this is a great opportunity to build one. (Guidance and recommendations for reaching out available here.) Alternatively, you may apply without a community partner and we will try to match you with a community.
*Our definition of community is wide and may include municipal governments, community-based organizations, faith-based groups, indigenous groups, grassroots collectives, etc.
Preferred qualities for Community Science Fellows include:
- Enthusiasm for engaging with Thriving Earth Exchange, including a willingness and ability to be reflective about the role and the program; and enthusiasm for the Fellow role, including a commitment to and experience in (or strong intent to pursue) community science. Examples of this might be:
- experience working with diverse stakeholders and projects (this may include low-income/disadvantaged communities and those that have not had an opportunity to engage with science)
- a passion for elevating community-led action and local priorities
- a strong desire to support community-led engagement with a variety of audiences, including policy makers and the media
- evidence of consistent and long-term volunteer work or community engagement
- Humility, an ability to listen, and strong communication skills. Examples of this might be:
- an aptitude for science communication
- desire to speak out about the value of connecting community priorities with science and the importance of science in local communities, and to help others do the same
- experience or willingness to engage diverse individuals, organizations, and communities in communication and ongoing conversations
- leadership experience in multidisciplinary/culturally sensitive environments
- Qualifications:
- undergraduate degree or a minimum of 3 years experience working in a science-related or informal STEM-learning field
- project management and facilitation skills
- at any career stage
- a formal science background is not required but some interest/familiarity is necessary
- Membership in AGU is not required.
- Ability to participate in the online the Community Science Fellow training workshop on July 13-14 from 12:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern time.
Application Form
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