For over a decade I have dedicated a portion of my time to improving science education. Effectively communicating science to others (team members, institutions, the public) is a driving force for me, as I know that an overall improvement in the treatment of science and science-based progress will come improved communications. Communicating science also enables me embrace my artistic background and engage my creative side to produce science communication through different media – art, infographics, blog writing, podcast, video, interviews, etc.
Some highlights are below
American Society of Plant Biologists
My involvement with the ASPB is storied and diverse. During my graduate career I was the society’s go-to science communicator. I conducted interviews, workshops, and generated both written and oral content for the society, including “Between the Palms” a science interview series.
It wasn’t until 2018 when my reputation as a ‘instigator of change’ started as I began to push the governing bodies to include more early career representation in their leadership. If the society was to last another 100 years, it needed to modernize and hearing a diverse set of voices was the first step. I lobbied this action into running for society president, the youngest (at 29) to ever be on the ballot, narrowly losing to Dr. Maureen McCann in 2019. Despite the loss, the idea of an early careers in the leadership had momentum, and I founded the Early Career Plant Scientist (ECPS) Section of the society in early 2020 serving as the first Chair. Over the years this group has been incredibly successful in adding 25+ early career representative seats across the various levels of society governance, all pushing for a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and modern society.
Plants in Dungeons & Dragons
As a proper nerd, I am obsessed with Dungeons & Dragons. Given that it’s my favorite hobby, I wanted to bring some real botanical knowledge into game. I developed (“homebrewed”) an herbalism system based on herbal plants talking about the science, folklore, and myth surrounding them. Medica Plantarum was published for free on DM’s guild and to date has been downloaded over 5,000 times.
Given the popularity of Medica Plantarum, Double Proficiency and Exalted Funeral the creators of the Kickstarter Campaign for Herbalist’s Primer, commissioned me to be a their science editor. That kickstarter was funded successfully reaching $800,000+ across 18,000+ backers. It was crazy. Probably the coolest thing I’ve been a part of.
Athens Science Café
Aimed to improve public engagement and dialogue in basic science, this local organization facilitates monthly presentations between scientists and a general audience. Free to its patrons, the Athens Science Café has hosted a diversity of topics, speakers, and audience members from across northeast Georgia. As of spring 2017, we have had 32 events. Over three years, monthly attendance has trended upwards and ranges from 120-180 people depending on topic. Further, the Athens Science Café has partnered with numerous independent groups across Athens including the Athens Clarke County Economic Development Department and has received two large grants from the University of Georgia. I am a co-founder and previous organizer of the Athens Science Café. The Athens Science Café can be located at: https://athenssciencecafe.wordpress.com/.
Athens Science Observer
This student-run organization has two goals (1) train students to effectively communicate their science to a lay audience and (2) provide a platform for students to post their work and engage the community through a website and social media advertising. Further we sponsor workshops and science communication career Q&As for our students. Since its creation in fall 2015, ASO has trained over 68 students across 18 UGA disciplines and have grown to become one of the largest student science organizations on campus. I am a co-founder of the Athens Science Observer and served as the Editor-in-Chief for 2016. Currently I contribute my own blogs, podcasts, and infographics on topics related to my thesis, specifically water and food security. The Athens Science Observer can be located at: https://athensscienceobserver.com/.
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