Mar 21 2025 27 mins
Chris and I discuss the origins of the Thriving Earth Exchange, a program connecting scientific expertise with local community needs. The initiative began around 2016 with a young scientist's idea to address community challenges through scientific collaboration.
The program focuses on participatory, place-based science, where communities and scientists co-create solutions to local problems like water quality, soil contamination, and environmental challenges. Key to its success was flexible funding, support from the AGU board, and the leadership of Raj Pandya.
By 2019, the program had completed 100 projects benefiting 17 million people. Challenges included explaining the concept, finding the right scientists and communities, and measuring social impact beyond traditional financial metrics.
The Thriving Earth Exchange has since grown, expanded partnerships, and become an integral part of AGU's mission to extend scientific expertise to communities.
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