Ally Brown
PhD Student | Department of Geosciences | Auburn University
2024 – 2025 Global Change Research Fellow
Statement of purpose:
My love for climate science began during my undergraduate degree where I studied Marine Chemistry at the University of South Carolina. In my junior year, I had the opportunity to go abroad to the Galapagos Islands and see firsthand how a warming climate has impacted everything from the local ecosystems to the economy. Moved from this experience, I sought out research opportunities when I returned that allowed me to cultivate my growing passion for climate science and learn how to communicate about it with others. This ultimately led me to graduate school where I engage in geoscience education research while receiving a PhD in interdisciplinary Earth Systems Science. This pathway provides the perfect niche for me to combine my passion for climate science with that of education and forge a career that makes a difference by improving the way we teach and communicate about climate and the Earth.
Description of research:
I engage in geoscience education research utilizing disciplinary expertise and cognitive science to understand how people think and learn about geoscience concepts. Part of my research is attempting to explore the relationship between content gains and climate perceptions in an undergraduate climate course comprised of non-STEM major students. I am also evaluating a federally funded program that is meant to engage undergraduate students in climate research and explore their career motivations over time. Outside of an undergraduate setting, I also use eye-tracking technology and work with stakeholders to understand how users navigate climate tools and improve their usability.
Contact Information:
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Karen McNeal (Department of Geosciences)