The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has announced that the winner of this year’s Borlaug CAST Communication Award [1] is Alexa Lamm, an Associate Professor of Science Communication at the University of Georgia (UGA). A scientist, educator, writer, and acclaimed research scholar both nationally and internationally, Lamm is recognized for making technology and science accessible for all, from policymakers to the general public.
Regarded as a leader in the field of social science research, Lamm examines the impacts of communication and educational initiatives, especially as they relate to technology that advances agricultural production while maintaining environmental sustainability. Much of her work explores how people make decisions about water conservation, water protection, and water policy.
She has published more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, made numerous appearances on radio and television, won the National Researcher Award from the American Association of Agricultural Education in 2019 and has communicated in various ways with consumers, farmers, local leaders, and students in the classroom.
Commenting on her achievement, Sam Pardue, dean and director of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at UGA, said, “This award commemorates the work of Dr. Norman Borlaug, father of the Green Revolution, whose goal of ending global hunger is still embraced by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Lamm’s long record of prolific publication of research in agricultural communication at the intersection of public policy and public opinion is remarkable. Congratulations to Dr. Lamm for this outstanding achievement.”
Lamm joins ten other respected and talented science communicators in receiving this annual award which honors Dr. Normal Borlaug. She takes up the baton from 2019 winner Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Ph.D., who has previously shared his views on sustainable agriculture on the U.S. Sustainability Alliance blog.
The award will be presented to Lamm at a presentation due to take place during the World Food Prize Symposium week in October 2020.
[1] The Borlaug CAST Communication Award is presented annually for outstanding achievement by a scientist, engineer, technologist, or other professional working in the agricultural, environmental, or food sectors for contributing to the advancement of science in the public policy arena. The award is dedicated to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, “The Man Who Fed the World” and author of CAST publication #1, and to Dr. Charles A. Black, first CAST President, first Executive Vice President, and member of the founding committee of CAST. These two men embody the passion and dedication to agricultural research and technology that this award is designed to reward.