J. Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Geography in the University of Georgia Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, was the top prize winner in the National Academies’ Research Scientist: Later Career category of its Schmidt Awards.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine recently revealed the 2024 recipients of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications, given by the National Academies in partnership with Schmidt Sciences.

These prestigious awards recognize science journalists, research scientists and science communicators who have developed creative, original work to communicate issues and advances in science, engineering and medicine to the general public.

A total of 24 awards, split among eight categories, were announced — nine awards for science communication by research scientists, nine awards for science journalists and six awards for science communicators. In each category, one $40,000 top prize and two $20,000 awards were given, totaling $640,000.

Shepherd emphasizes sharing scientific findings with public

Shepherd, associate dean for research, scholarship and partnership, and member of the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Engineering, has built a decades-long career communicating his scientific expertise in weather and climate science in the public.

In addition to serving as the president of the American Meteorological Society in 2013, Shepherd is also the host of The Weather Channel’s award-winning “Weather Geeks,” a podcast dedicated to weather science, and a contributor to Forbes Magazine. Shepherd routinely appears on national media outlets like CNN, the New York Times and ABC News, among others.

"At a time when misinformation and disinformation are thriving, science experts must engage beyond the ivory tower.” —J. Marshall Shepherd, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences"

“At a time when misinformation and disinformation are thriving, science experts must engage beyond the ivory tower,” Shepherd said. “I embrace that charge so to be recognized by the National Academies with this high honor is rewarding, but the work continues.”

Shepherd’s TedxUGA talk on three biases in understanding science and his TedxAtlanta talk on “Slaying the Climate Zombies” are some of the most watched lectures about climate change on YouTube.

“Dr. Shepherd’s commitment to science and to extending that commitment to public engagement is unparalleled,” said Anna Stenport, dean of the Franklin College. “His work exemplifies the critical importance of multidisciplinary approaches that bring communication expertise together with science, and we are elated the National Academies recognize that as worth celebrating.”