State of the Early Career Profession in Space Physics and Aeronomy: Climatological Survey Results Journal Article

Overview

Abstract; The American Geophysical Union (AGU) Space Physics & Aeronomy (SPA) section comprises scientists who study the Sun, solar wind, and planetary magnetospheres, ionospheres, and thermospheric/mesospheric systems along with their interconnections. In order to better understand the needs and perspectives of the early career community within the section (defined as being 10 years or less after obtaining a doctoral degree), the SPA executive committee established the SPA early career leadership advisory committee (EC‐LAC), which is composed of 15 members. Striving to better understand the make‐up of the SPA early career community and its current climate, the EC‐LAC conducted a survey of early career SPA members. This survey, conducted between 2025 15 July and 2025 1 September, had 140 respondents and provides a snapshot of the early career SPA community at this time. This paper outlines aggregated results from the survey and provides findings and recommendations that may be of use to various agencies and groups.

Allen RC; Gallardo‐Lacourt B; Raptis S; Gilly CR; Gasque LC; Alterman BL; Buitrago‐Casas JC; Macho EP; Malhotra G; McGranaghan RM