Posts in: Reflections

Nothing can dim the light which shines from within. - Maya Angelou For 20 years, COMPASS has supported thousands of scientists to reimagine their roles as changemakers. We’re committed to creating a future where people and nature can thrive, and our experience shows us that investing in leaders is a powerful way to realize that vision. To this end, we’ve bu...

This pandemic does more than affect the productivity of graduate students. Their health (both physical and mental) is compromised and it is important to recognize the ways in which academic institutions are ill-equipped to support students in this time. ...

When I joined COMPASS three years ago, it felt like a time of great change. There was an explosion of interest in science communication, urgent reports on the concerning state of the climate and biodiversity, and a rapidly shifting political landscape. COMPASS itself was an organization navigating its first ever executive transition - a challenging time for any non...

Nancy Baron, Director of Science Outreach and author of “Escape from the Ivory Tower”, has been with COMPASS since just after its founding. Executive Director Amanda Stanley recently interviewed Nancy to reflect on 20 years of leadership in science communication and engagement. What was the landscape for science communication and ocean conservation like when C...

The world has changed dramatically in a few short weeks. A month ago I welcomed friends and colleagues to my hometown of Seattle for a celebration of COMPASS’ 20th anniversary at the AAAS meeting; now Seattle is utterly transformed. We’re all trying to understand what is happening, recognizing there's a lot we don't know, and making the best decisions we can in the face of uncertainty...

It’s hard to believe that 2020 is just around the corner! It’s going to be a significant year for COMPASS— we'll be celebrating our 20th anniversary!   Many organizations never make it this far. Nonprofits work with limited resources on big, complex topics in a big, complex world. That COMPASS has reached this milestone is a testament both to our visi...