Kierstin Blomberg, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln Earth and Atmospheric Sciences doctoral student, was selected as a graduate student participant in the 2026 American Meteorological Society Science Policy Colloquium, May 31-June 5.
The colloquium is a nationally recognized program that brings a small cohort of scientists to Washington, D.C. to learn how science informs federal policy and decision‑making.
Graduate students and postdoctoral fellow participants are competitively selected based on their demonstrated scientific and leadership potential. The program offers participants direct exposure to the science-policy intersection through briefings from policymakers, federal agency leaders and science advocates, as well as meetings with congressional offices. The experience is designed to prepare scientists to engage effectively in policy discussions related to weather, climate and Earth systems.
Blomberg’s selection reflects her growing national profile and the strong connection between her research and societal decision‑making. Her doctoral work focuses on how undergraduate atmospheric science programs across the United States prepare students to communicate about weather hazards and climate change — skills that are increasingly critical as communities, agencies and policymakers rely on scientific information to guide preparedness and resilience.
“Atmospheric science is inherently connected to society,” Blomberg said. “Forecasts, warnings and climate information only matter if people can understand and use them. My research looks at how we train future scientists to communicate in ways that support informed decisions.”
Using interviews and surveys across multiple institutions, Blomberg is conducting a national mixed‑methods study to examine where and how science communication is integrated into atmospheric science curricula. Her work addresses a key gap in scientific training: while students receive rigorous technical preparation, many programs offer limited instruction on how science interacts with policy, public discourse and real‑world decision‑making.
Participation in the Science Policy Colloquium will allow Blomberg to place this education research within a broader policy context. Through the program, she will gain firsthand insight into how scientific evidence is used in legislative and federal agency settings, strengthening her ability to connect education, communication, and policy in future research and teaching.
Blomberg’s selection builds on a series of recent honors recognizing her research and leadership. In 2025, she was awarded the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research Advanced Study Program Graduate Visitor Program Fellowship, a Graduate Student Recognition Award from the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Best Poster Award at the Graduate Climate Conference. The latter recognized her ability to communicate complex ideas through innovative and accessible design.
Her adviser, Dawn Kopacz, associate professor of practice in meteorology‑climatology, noted that Blomberg’s strengths lie not only in her technical expertise but also in her clarity of purpose.
“Kierstin’s work addresses a national challenge — how we prepare atmospheric scientists to engage with society,” Kopacz said. “The Science Policy Colloquium is an ideal opportunity for her to deepen that work and extend its impact.”
Following the colloquium, Blomberg plans to integrate policy perspectives into her research, teaching and curriculum development efforts, helping shape the next generation of atmospheric scientists who are equipped not only to generate knowledge, but to ensure it reaches the people who need it most.