March 1, 2023
Geology professor to participate in national training for communicating science to policymakers
Karin Goldberg, associate professor of geology, was selected to participate in the competitive Voices for Science program from the American Geophysical Union.
The program, launched in 2018, trains scientists to address the critical need for communicating the value and impact of Earth and space science to key decision-makers, journalists and public audiences. Goldberg was chosen to be part of the Policy Track cohort from April 2023-March 2024. Her training will start with a three-day workshop in Washington, D.C., in April, during which she will also visit the Capitol and meet state representatives.
Goldberg believes policymakers should have a good grasp on scientific concepts and methods to make decisions and advance agendas that will benefit the people they represent. She has a passion for science education and communication. She has worked with students K-12 and 4-H groups in outreach programs, given talks to the adult population explaining the science behind polemic themes like climate change and even created a YouTube channel to explain geological concepts in simple terms.
During her tenure at the American Geophysical Union's Voices for Science, Goldberg hopes to address issues related to energy and climate change with state representatives, stemming from her research experience in both the oil and gas industry and the geological record of past climates.