AMOS Science Outreach Award

The measure of scientific excellence comprises of both the ability to undertake the scientific activity and to communicate it. This award will be given annually to identify AMOS outreach ambassadors, who inspire other AMOS members to undertake science engagement activities. This award additionally recognizes those who engage with the public, politicians, schools, businesses and communities, to educate and inform those groups on topics associated with AMOS themes. Examples include face to face science engagement with community groups, taking on significant logistical responsibilities over a long period of time to advance AMOS education and outreach, or use innovative/creative methods to engage the public/non-experts.

The awardee receives a cash award of $500, an award and is offered a highlighted talk in the Education and Outreach session at the annual AMOS conference.

Anyone active in the AMOS fields of weather, climate, oceans, and related disciplines is eligible for the award.

Any AMOS member may make a nomination. The nomination package must include:

• A nomination letter of no more than 2 pages addressing the selection criteria
• An accompanying brief CV of the nominee of no more than 2 pages
• Up to three letters of support addressing the selection criteria, each no longer than 2 pages. Nomination letters must include:
  • A summary of the type of outreach undertaken (e.g., the target audiences/groups) and the scientific themes/concepts conveyed (maximum 150 words).
  • A summary of science engagement activities undertaken in the past five years. For example, the 2018 award will be for activities in the 2013-2017 calendar years (maximum 300 words).
  • A summary of the level of reach/impact/feedback for the science engagement undertaken, and/or any long-term impacts (maximum 150 words).

The total maximum length of the nomination package should not exceed 10 pages. Nominations should not include separate publication lists or copies of published papers. Nominators should be aware of the AMOS Code of Conduct, which promotes diversity of membership and discipline when making nominations. The Award Sub-Committee has limited ability to seek additional information and therefore nomination documents must be complete and provide a full and fair account of each candidate.

1. Evidence of an outstanding and substantial contribution to scientific outreach, carried out locally/nationally/internationally, over the past five years.
2. Evidence that the outreach exceeds what might normally be expected as part of the nominee’s paid position or, in the case of retirees, that the outreach involves a substantial amount of time and effort that might otherwise be devoted to other activities. Evidence does not include any formal (paid) media engagements and articles, or work paid for by AMOS.
3. Evidence that the outreach raises the profile of AMOS and/or promotes the AMOS vision to improve the understanding of non-experts in the areas of weather, climate, oceans, and related disciplines.
4. Evidence of multi-disciplinary outreach is highly valued (e.g., outreach across multiple science/technology/engineering/mathematics [STEM] fields, or outside of STEM fields).

Equal weight is given to each of the selection criteria.

2018 – Andrew King, The University of Melbourne
2019 – Joelle Gergis, Australian National University
2020 – Linden Ashcroft, The University of Melbourne
2021 – Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, University of New South Wales, Canberra
2022 – Dick Whitaker (retired)
2023 – Ailie Gallant, Monash University

Beth Ebert (Chair)
Tom Beer
Melissa Hart
Andrew Tupper
Matthew Wheeler