Description:

The connection of science to support policy, management, and decision-making activities to benefit society
has received increasing attention. Work and scholarship towards these connections for societal benefits
are of strategic importance, and effective user engagement and participation build public trust in science and scientists.
Yet, the reward structures in our institutions for such community-focused or partner-engaged research
(aka, Earth science applications) are not always aligned to recognize or incentivize such scholarship and work.

Numerous recent activities have focused attention on this topic, such as a Public Impact Research workshop (April 2024),
National Academies workshop on Engaged Research (June 2024), White House initiatives, and
ongoing work of the Transforming Evidence Network, among others. At the same time, the skills and capacities 
to support such engaged research and applications – such as stakeholder mapping, co-production, and
impact assessment – are not necessarily part of traditional academic programs in the Earth and atmospheric sciences.
This session is a chance to address these topics within the AMS community.
We invite people to submit papers that characterize both barriers and enablers regarding reward structures
for engaged research and applications, spanning both natural and social sciences. As part of this, we invite papers
that highlight successes, smart practices, and structural changes in institutions that enable reward structures that recognize and incentivize such work and scholarship. We invite papers that directly address aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion on this topic. Finally, we also invite papers that highlight the skills and capacities associated with engaged research and applications
as well as programs that provide professional certification for such work.
Conveners: Lawrence A. Friedl, NASA HQ and Stephen A. Mango, NOAA?NESDIS/SAE Affiliate and ISS, Inc.