These Nine Women Should Have Key Roles in the New Administration

Cortez Deacetis

President-elect Joe Biden is commencing to announce nominees to popular science positions in his administration. As the U.S. grapples with the outcomes of the past 4 several years of the Trump administration undermining science and harming by now marginalized teams at each flip, it is critical that the Biden workforce decide on extremely skilled leaders who deliver powerful scientific know-how and who reflect the values and diversity of the country. Throughout the campaign, Biden mentioned that his administration would “choose science over fiction” now is the time to fulfill that campaign promise. We need to have leaders who can rebuild our nation’s scientific infrastructure, restore the hurt to our credibility, make certain science is guiding agency steps, and support handle prolonged-standing inequities in entry to science and governing administration aid.


Provided the extended history of science advisors and cabinet positions held by white guys, we are heartened that the incoming administration has manufactured an explicit commitment to construct a various administration that is intersectional, with gals, nonbinary people today and people of color elevated to senior positions. 500 Gals Researchers strongly supports the appointment of fantastic women for leadership positions in the Biden-Harris administration we know these ladies will be unbelievable assets to the administration, will price science, and will serve the nation with honor and dignity.

This list is by no implies exhaustive, as there are a lot of enormously proficient and certified folks to opt for from, but we are in particular enthusiastic to aid the next men and women for a Biden-Harris Science Squad (and if the goes to an individual else for any of these positions, the gals on our listing would nonetheless be great candidates for other roles in the administration).

White Dwelling Science Advisor: Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D.

Present place: University Distinguished Professor at Oregon State University

On the science squad simply because: There is no a person far more capable for this situation than Lubchenco. She has the science chops as a marine ecologist with experience in oceans and local climate alter and has labored in the authorities as the U.S. undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and as administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) beneath President Obama. She also served on the inaugural Obama science group all through 2009–2013 and 2014–2016 was the very first U.S. Point out Department science envoy for the oceans. Lubchenco has also collaborated with field, communities, civil society, academia and religion-primarily based businesses to tackle a wide range of environmental challenges.

Take note: The OSTP Director ought to be elevated to a Cupboard stage position, as President-elect Biden has earlier proposed. Presented the have to have for bold and progressive climate action, we endorse someone with a potent background in local weather modify science and a history of leadership in environmental justice—areas the administration has named as major priorities.

White Property Council on Environmental Excellent: Cecilia Martinez, Ph.D.

Present placement: Co-founder and Government Director of the Centre for Earth, Strength and Democracy (CEED)

On the science squad since: The business Martinez prospects, CEED, offers investigate and analytic assistance to environmental justice groups and coalitions. They helped shape and start the Equitable and Just Local climate System in 2018, which facilities the requirements and concerns of those most afflicted by air pollution. Martinez was part of Biden’s Local weather Engagement Advisory Council supporting to mobilize voters all-around local weather, was an advisor on establishing his coverage approach to beat climate adjust and is now main the CEQ agency evaluate group for the Biden transition workforce. She was not long ago named in Time’s 100 Most Influential Individuals of 2020.

Environmental Security Company: Heather McTeer Toney, J.D.

Present placement: Senior Director for Mothers Cleanse Air Pressure

On the science squad since: Toney, an legal professional and previous neighborhood elected formal, has labored with the EPA in two different roles between 2009 and 2017. She was the chairwoman of the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee, and then in 2014, she was appointed by President Obama to serve as the regional administrator for the EPA Southeast Location. She has a solid record of utilizing science to guideline EPA coverage and she will be a good advocate for science agenda at the agency. Due to the fact 2017, Toney has led subject functions and grassroots arranging endeavours centered on environmental justice and air pollution and has argued that combating local climate adjust and protecting the atmosphere are racial justice concerns.

Secretary of Strength: Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Ph.D.

Recent position: Senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy College of Government’s Belfer Heart for Science and International Affairs advises national laboratories, electricity expense funds and start off-ups

On the science squad since: She is a nuclear scientist very well-versed in the priorities for the Section of Strength (DOE), together with managing the U.S.’s nuclear assets, supporting an innovation exploration agenda and overseeing significant-scale scientific plans. With her knowledge as the DOE undersecretary throughout the Obama administration, Sherwood-Randall could hit the floor working in an agency that is in want of a chief who will assistance DOE workforce and guard their scientific integrity.

Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator: Dawn Wright, Ph.D.

Latest place: Main Scientist, Esri

On the science squad for the reason that: She has a deep and stellar scientific qualifications in oceanography and geography and has equally tutorial and private sector chops immediately relevant to NOAA’s perform on oceans, satellites, climate and atmospheric science. Wright has provided steerage to federal science programs and has served on NOAA’s Science Advisory Board and the National Academy of Sciences Ocean Scientific tests Board. She is also committed to fairness and inclusion and will assist foster a diverse and vibrant society at NOAA.

Secretary of the Interior: U.S. Representative Deb Haaland, J.D.

Recent place: U.S. Agent for New Mexico’s 1st district

On the science squad mainly because: As an attorney, politician, and just one of the initially Indigenous American gals elected to Congress, Haaland has shown management equally nationally and for communities in New Mexico. She sits on the Dwelling Committee on All-natural Methods, acquired a J.D. in Indian Legislation and has labored with the non-public sector to effectively advocate for environmentally helpful practices. She has a solid file of supporting science and generating evidence-based selections. The U.S. Section of the Interior requirements the knowledge and standpoint of Rep. Haaland at the helm.

Science and Technologies Advisor to the Secretary of Condition: Frances Colón, Ph.D.

Current situation: President and CEO, Jasperi Consulting

On the science squad simply because: Colón is a climate and global environmental policy expert who has diligently worked to retain science front and centre in international policy dialogues and has applied science as a instrument for world wide engagement. She was the deputy science and know-how adviser to the secretary of condition from 2012 to 2017, was also the greatest-ranking Hispanic scientist at the State Office at that time, and led the Power and Climate Partnership for the Americas (ECPA), an initiative to accelerate sustainable power in the Americas. Colón is also a loud and very pleased advocate for the development of women of all ages and women in STEM as evidenced by quite a few daring initiatives she has led and designed during her job.

Domestic White Residence Local climate Adjust Advisor: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Ph.D.

Present-day Place: Johnson is the founder and CEO of Ocean Collectiv and founder of City Ocean Lab, a believe tank for coastal towns. 

On the science squad for the reason that: Johnson is a local climate plan qualified who recommended the Warren marketing campaign on the progress of the Blue New Offer, the co-editor of a e-book of essays termed All We Can Help save that attributes the writings of girls local climate leaders and the co-host of a climate podcast identified as “How to Save a Planet” centered on day-to-day local climate answers. She is dedicated to performing for local weather justice and broader inclusion in the local weather movement.

Domestic White Household Local weather Change Advisor: Leah Stokes, Ph.D.

Current Situation: Stokes is an assistant professor in the Division of Political Science at the College of California, Santa Barbara.

On the science squad for the reason that: Stokes is an specialist in public plan, with a emphasis on power, surroundings and weather change. She has penned a e-book Small Circuiting Policy that examines the roles interest teams perform in weakening U.S. clean energy guidelines, and she released a weather podcast identified as “A Subject of Degrees” focused on local weather. She is a leader in her industry and has shown a determination to making certain local climate motion is inclusive, equitable and just.

The U.S. federal governing administration is in dire need of new talent, and several essential science positions have been empty or underutilized beneath the Trump administration. There is an option to create back improved by leveraging the complete range of experts and people today who can deliver their lived activities to these significant govt positions. There is a squad of extremely experienced women of all ages and nonbinary experts who are prepared to help the Biden administration, a lot of on the 500 Women Researchers staff.

No issue who is finally confirmed to the lots of open up science positions in the federal authorities, we be expecting Biden appointees to embody the improve we want to see. We count on them to use science to notify policy. We anticipate them to lift the voices that have been neglected and marginalized. We anticipate them to use science to protect men and women and communities, not firms. We be expecting them to do the job tirelessly to create a safer and much more equitable environment.

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