GFDL Research Scientist Earns First NOAA Science Communication Award

December 11, 2008

In recognition of the importance of NOAA scientists’ willingness and ability to engage the public, NOAA Research has established a new award for outstanding efforts in science communication.  On December 11, 2008, Keith Dixon received the first Dr. Daniel L. Albritton Outstanding Science Communicator Award.  This honor recognizes substantial accomplishments in communicating science and research to policy makers or other non-scientific audiences over extended periods of time.  NOAA Research established the award to increase the effectiveness of communications between employees and non-scientists including the general public, policymakers, and stakeholders. 

To his peers, Keith is an expert climate modeler, but in front of a lay audience, he reveals a talent and passion for explaining the complexities of climate science in a style that is clear, compelling, and even entertaining.  Keith has introduced audiences to ice-albedo feedback; he has explained the arcane physics of radiative forcing agents. He has shown audiences how to measure flux adjustments. He has explored the effects of climate change on the Arctic ice cap and drought in the Sahel through the use of storytelling, cartoons and artistic renderings.  In speeches to public audiences, classroom presentations, media interviews, interactions with policy makers, well-written non-scientific summaries, web content, and through the use of climate animations, he has educated and influenced stakeholders and policy-makers by translating complex information about climate and making it accessible to non-scientists.

Keith’s efforts to educate the public about the importance of GFDL’s research took him to six different cities in 2007, and required a significant amount of personal time in planning, preparation, and travel.  On 30 occasions, he engaged professional societies, educators, journalists and reporters, science museum professionals, NOAA staff, and the general public, to advance their understanding of climate science. 

The award is named in honor of Dr. Daniel Albritton, a retired NOAA researcher who proved to be one of the most effective communicators of NOAA research and related science.  Dr. Albritton’s outreach and education efforts with high-level policy makers contributed significantly to passage of the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act.

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