The following four individuals have applied to to serve a three year term on the CSA Board of Directors starting in May 2023. Members of CSA in good standing are invited to cast their vote for board representations beginning April 12, 2023. Details on voting procedures will be shared via email with active members.

The Board of Directors is the governing and managing body of the Citizen Science Association, with the fiscal responsibility for the resources of this community. Board members generate and implement both policies and strategies to build CSA community and programming. Board members also serve as the public face of the CSA, helping to grow support for CSA priorities.

Jessica Bean

Title: Director of Outreach and Science, FieldScope; Leader of the Understanding Global Change Project
Affiliation: UC Berkeley

One sentence statement about your background related to serving on the board: 
As an interdisciplinary scientist and educator, I work to support public education and outreach efforts in diverse communities, run formal and informal professional learning and classroom programs that involve citizen and community science, and design tools that help to build a public understand the process of science and the Earth system.

One sentence statement about your vision for CSA: 
I want to support CSA in bringing together diverse community groups, and addressing the various needs and interests of scientists, educators, students, and the public to collectively engage in meaningful projects that further scientific understanding of local ecosystems and help address regional and global challenges.

One sentence statement about why you want to serve on the board: 
My work on FieldScope and the Understanding Global Change Project has led me to seek additional ways to support and scale equitable and inclusive community and citizen science opportunities using research-based practices for building community and public confidence in understanding and engaging in the process of science.

Michael Bear

Title: Community Science Director
Affiliation: Ocean Sanctuaries

One sentence statement about your background related to serving on the board:

As a co-founder of a non-profit dedicated to citizen science, and with over a decade of experience in the field, I have a deep understanding of the value and potential of community science.

One sentence statement about your vision for CSA:

CSA is the cutting-edge future of citizen science and my vision for CSA is to promote and advance citizen science as a tool for addressing societal challenges, while also ensuring inclusiveness and accessibility for all individuals and communities

On sentence statement about why you want to serve on the board:

 I am eager to join the CSA board and contribute my expertise and passion for citizen science to help shape the organization’s strategic direction, and advance its mission to advance scientific literacy, engagement, and action through citizen science.

Jay Benforado

Title: EPA Chief Innovation Officer (retired in January 2022)
Affiliation: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (retired in January 2022)

One sentence statement about your background related to serving on the board:
During my EPA career, I served as the EPA coordinator for citizen science and also was a co-chair of the Federal Community of Practice for Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science.

One sentence statement about your vision for CSA
CSA actively engages and supports all relevant organizations and people to mainstream citizen science approaches to address societal and scientific challenges.

One sentence statement about why you want to serve on the board:
I want to help CSA expand its impact, including new opportunities for citizen science to contribute to public policy and decision making.

Cheyanne Marie Olson

Title: Biology Instructor/Citizen Science Researcher
Affiliation: Rogers State University

One sentence statement about your background related to serving on the board:
I have volunteered with a local water-monitoring citizen science program for five years and serve currently as a board member for a related nonprofit that financially supports those volunteers.

One sentence statement about your vision for CSA:
I see CSA as a space for collaborative inclusivity and partnerships: Where all are encouraged to participate, and engage, in a diverse culture that supports and reflects their interests.

One sentence statement about why you want to serve on the board:
I want to help connect likeminded individuals together to create a support network for citizen science participants, administrators, researchers, and appreciators in this vibrant, growing field!

Posted on: April 6, 2023  |  Category: Blog, CSA Blog, News, news, Uncategorized