BLISS Researcher Participates in 2024 AMS Summer Policy Colloquium

We’re excited to announce that Elizabeth Smith, a researcher with the BLISS (Boundary Layer Integrated Sensing and Simulation) team, recently participated in the prestigious 2024 American Meteorological Society (AMS) Summer Policy Colloquium in Washington, D.C. This week-long, policy-immersion workshop brought together approximately 30 Earth scientists from various sectors to explore the critical intersection of science and policy at the federal level.

Elizabeth is pictured with her cohort at the US Capitol after visiting the Senate for meetings. She is in a purple blazer in the front row, right of center.
Elizabeth is pictured with her cohort at the US Capitol after visiting the Senate for meetings. She is in a purple blazer in the front row, right of center.

About the Colloquium

The AMS Summer Policy Colloquium is designed for early to mid-career Earth and atmospheric scientists and professionals from:

  • Academia
  • Government agencies
  • Private sector This unique program offers participants an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with policy-level officials and leaders involved in the federal policy-making process, including:
  • Representatives from federal agencies
  • Staff from the Executive Office of the President
  • Congressional members and staffers from both political parties
  • Other key figures in the policy landscape

Key Experiences

During the colloquium, Elizabeth and her fellow participants had the chance to:

  • Attend meetings with high-level policy officials
  • Engage in dialogues about the role of science in policy-making
  • Learn about the intricacies of the federal policy and budget processes
  • Network with peers from diverse backgrounds in Earth sciences

Impact on BLISS Research

Elizabeth’s participation in this colloquium aligns with BLISS’s commitment to bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world applications. The insights gained from this experience will help inform our approach to:

  • Communicating research findings to stakeholders, including policymakers
  • Understanding the policy implications of our work and aligning our efforts with federal priorities
  • Identifying opportunities for our research to inform federal decision-making We look forward to Elizabeth sharing her experiences with the team and applying these valuable insights to enhance the impact of BLISS’s research in the atmospheric sciences.
Dr. Elizabeth N. Smith
Dr. Elizabeth N. Smith
Research Meteorologist

Elizabeth joined NSSL as a research meteorologist in January 2020, where she focuses on boundary-layer processes relevant to near- and pre-storm environments and convection initiation.