Earth and Mineral Sciences

Mann receives AAAS award for public engagement with science

Michael Mann Credit: Penn State / Penn State. Creative Commons

AUSTIN, Texas — Michael Mann, distinguished professor of atmospheric science and director of the Earth System Science Center, Penn State, will receive the 2018 American Association for the Advancement of Science Public Engagement with Science Award during the annual meeting in Austin, Texas, from Feb. 15 to 19.

Mann receives his award for "tireless efforts to communicate the science of climate change to the media, public and policymakers."

In the past year, Mann had 500 media interviews and appearances, and directly reached public audiences via social media. His op-eds and commentaries were published in dozens of outlets, including The Washington Post, The Guardian and Le Monde.

He has used a variety of media to communicate about the effects of climate change, including the 2017 publication of his third book, "The Madhouse Effect." For this effort, he teamed up with Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Tom Toles to explore public perception of climate change. He also was  a featured speaker during the 2017 March for Science in Washington, and has testified before Congress.

Mann also collaborated with author and illustrator Megan Herbert on a children's book titled "The Tantrum that Saved the World" is currently in press.

In addition to outreach efforts, Mann continues to conduct and publish research. His areas of interest are in climate science, including climate change, sea level rise, human impact on climate change, climate modeling, and the carbon budget. He is the author of more than 200 peer-reviewed and edited publications.

In 2017, Mann was recognized with the Schneider Award from ClimateOne and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers’ James H. Shea Award. He was also inducted into the Green Industry Hall of Fame. He was elected a AAAS fellow in 2015.

He completed his doctorate. at Yale University in 1998.

The AAAS Award for Public Engagement with Science, established in 1987, recognizes scientists and engineers who make outstanding contributions to the “popularization of science.” The award conveys a monetary prize of $5,000, a commemorative plaque, and complimentary registration and travel to the AAAS Annual Meeting.

Last Updated February 14, 2018

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