Episode Notes
We close Season 2 with a very special episode; I had the opportunity to speak with three leaders who are all making significant contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion - or DEI -  in the weather space - and they’re tackling it from very different directions. 
Dr. Stella Kafka is the Executive Director of the American Meteorological Society.
She was previously executive director of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), a non- profit worldwide scientific and educational organization of amateur and professional astronomers. Prior to that, she served as the director of two research and mentorship programs for undergraduates in Chile, as well as journal manager at the American Institute of Physics.
She obtained her bachelor’s in physics at the University of Athens, Greece, and a master’s and Ph.D. in astronomy, with a double minor in physics and geophysical sciences, from Indiana University. After finishing her Ph.D., Dr. Kafka held a series of postdoctoral positions and fellowships, first at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, then at IPAC/Caltech, and finally as a NASA Astrobiology Institute Fellow at the Carnegie Institution of Washington.
Dr. Melissa Burt is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the Department of Atmospheric Science and College of Engineering at Colorado State University. Her research spans the intersection of atmospheric science and social justice issues. Dr. Burt also focuses on recruitment, retention, and engagement of students, staff, and faculty and is committed to fostering an inclusive College environment. Burt was awarded the Charles E. Anderson Award by the American Meteorological Society in 2021, for outstanding contributions to the promotion of diversity in atmospheric science and broader communities through education and community service.
She is the Vice President for the non-profit 501(c)3 organization, the Earth Science Women’s Network. She is also a co-founder of Science Moms, a non-partisan group of climate scientists and mothers working to give our children the planet they deserve. Dr. Burt has a B.S. degree in Meteorology from Millersville University and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University.
Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain is a Senior Social Scientist with the National Weather Service, and serves as the National Center for Environmental Prediction Coordinator for Social Science Applications. In this role, she provides social scientific support within and across the NWS National Centers, including the development of processes to integrate and apply social science research findings to their products, practices and policies. Prior to joining NWS, Dr. Klockow-McClain developed and led the Behavioral Insights Team at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory. Her research background involves behavioral science applied to weather and climate risk, especially in the communication of forecast uncertainty and response to hazardous weather warnings. She holds a PhD in Human/Hazards Geography from the University of Oklahoma, a Master's degree in Professional Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics (with honors) and Synoptic Meteorology from Purdue University.
References during show:
American Meteorological Society: https://www.ametsoc.org/
AMS Annual Meeting 2024: https://annual.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/2024/
Clear Skies Ahead podcast: https://www.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/education-careers/careers/career-guides-tools/all-about-careers-in-meteorology/clear-skies-ahead-podcast/
The Girls Who Chase Podcast is recorded and edited by Jen Walton. “Badlands” - our music - is by Lori Bailey and Inês Lobo. 
“Motivation Orchestra” for Spring Training promo is licensed via Envato.
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