Annie Grant has joined North Carolina’s Water Resources Research Institute and Sea Grant communications teams, bringing a background in science outreach and program management, K-12 education, and equity and inclusion.
“Annie has already immersed herself into our programs’ research and outreach efforts, including the upcoming NC WRRI Annual Conference, where many of our partners and funded researchers and students will be joining us,” notes Susan White, executive director of the two programs. “She also will focus on water topics with NC Sea Grant and our shared program to fund community collaborations.”
Grant relocated from Boston, MA where she served for four years as the program administrator for MIT’s MITES Semester (formerly MOSTEC), an immersive online STEM enrichment and college preparation program for students from underrepresented backgrounds. While at MIT, Annie implemented new strategies for online engagement and community-building, designed trainings for over 200 staff members, and increased the diversity of applicants in the staff applicant pool.
“I have always been interested in the intersection of social justice, science, and education. The people conducting research and making decisions about our environment are not fully representative of our communities. Bridging this gap starts with the way we communicate about science and intentionally engage folks who have traditionally been excluded from the conversation.”
Prior to her work at MIT, Annie taught middle school science in Tennessee and spearheaded environmental outreach initiatives and professional development sessions for teachers.
“I’m looking forward to broadening the reach of our funding opportunities, and increasing engagement in and excitement about water-related research and issues.”
Annie received her undergraduate degree in gender studies with a minor in environmental science from the University of Virginia and holds a graduate certificate in geographic information systems, with a focus on hydrology, from East Tennessee State University.
In her free time she enjoys vegan cooking and spending time in nature with family and her dog, Douglas.
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