Abstract: Even despite significant investments over the decades in operational (that is, round-the-clock) meteorology observations in the United States, the reality remains that those observations are not of the type, density, or frequency required to fully research many weather and climate phenomena, especially in parts of the country/world where those observations are sparse. However, the understanding gained from focused studies of those phenomena inform watch and warning systems, our numerical weather and climate prediction models, and many other critical processes within our weather and climate services. These gaps necessitate focused “field campaigns”, or intensive efforts to bring instrumentation and staff to those locations for varying lengths of time, to fill in those observational gaps temporarily so that the phenomena can be more completely studied. Beyond collecting critical observations, these campaigns also provide some of the most intensive training opportunities for students and some of the most direct community engagement around science.
Perhaps too underappreciated in the earliest days, all the many benefits of these efforts can be simultaneously fraught with challenges, for scientists, students, and community members alike. Framed through my ~20 years of field experience, I will discuss the shifting landscape about how we approach and construct these campaigns, and recent efforts to shift towards community-driven, safe, and equitable field science. Through the many lessons (and mistakes), I hope this will be a lively discussion of how we can truly partner as many as possible towards science valuable to so many, so that we can learn from each other.
Biography: Deanna A. Hence is an Associate Professor in the Department of Climate, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Sciences at UIUC and is Engagement and Partnerships lead for the Institute for Geospatial Understanding for Discovery through an Integrative Discovery Environment (I-GUIDE), which engages interdisciplinary geospatial research towards problems of resilience and sustainability. Her research program extensively uses observations from field experiments combined with high-resolution numerical modeling to study the interactions of high-impact convective storm systems with their environments, and how the evolution of these storms influences their impacts on human systems. She merges these interests into societally-oriented, community-driven interdisciplinary research with fostering inclusive science communication and solution-focused conversations. Equally concerned with creating inclusive scientific learning environments, Hence has simultaneously worked to adapt intensive holistic mentorship and other education models to broaden participation in the Atmospheric Sciences. Dr. Hence is an affiliate of the Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) Infection Genomics for One Health theme and recently served as a chapter author for the 5th National Climate Assessment.
This webinar is a certified green event by the University of Illinois' Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment.