Bruce MacFadden
Broader Impacts Champion
University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History
Bruce MacFadden has embedded Broader Impacts (BI) projects in his research, teaching, and service with the goal of improving participation of underrepresented groups, STEM education and educator development, public science literacy and engagement, and partners and infrastructure for research and education. He is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Florida and a Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Dr. MacFadden is also the inaugural director of the Thompson Earth Systems Institute at UF, which is dedicated to advancing communication and education about Earth systems science in a way that inspires Floridians to be effective stewards of our planet. He began teaching a course on B) 16 years ago, has developed several grant projects aimed at engaging teachers in scientific research, established the Scientist in Every Florida School Program to connect scientists and teachers for K-12 outreach Broader Impacts projects, and most recently published a book on BI. In 2009 he received the Joseph T. Gregory Award, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, for “Outstanding Service to the Welfare of the Society.”
“Soon after NSF started the broader impacts criteria, I saw the opportunity to start a graduate seminar to help the next generation of STEM professionals to succeed on their grant proposals but even more importantly for them to give back their knowledge and enthusiasm to society.
“I am thus optimistic that the future of broader impacts is bright, and the next generation of professionals will continue the vision of the importance of STEM in modern society.”
– Dr. Bruce MacFadden