MPOWIR Opportunities – Fall 2025

MPOWIR (Mentoring Physical Oceanography Women to Increase Retention) is pleased to announce several opportunities to get involved.  For more information on any of our programs and initiatives, please visit mpowir.org. Please feel free to share this email through your department or community email lists and social media.

• Recent mentorship publication in Oceanography
• Mentor Group registration open
• Webinar
• New Co-chair opportunity
• MPOWIR at OSM

MPOWIR Webinar
Join us for a webinar featuring MPOWIR colleagues Kris Karnaskus (Editor-in-Chief of Geophysical Research Letters) and Lisa Beal (Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans) on Monday, October 27th at 1:00pm EDT/10:00am PDT. They will share their experiences about what being editor entails, how special issues come about, and some differences between editorial processes at GRL and JGR. Bring your questions, as we look forward to an engaging conversation. Please RSVP to receive details to connect via Zoom: https://uri.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ea3HCEJMp6NA0gS 

MPOWIR Mentor Groups
As a reminder, registration for MPOWIR Mentor Groups is open until September 26, 2025. Mentor Groups of 6-7 early career peers and 2 senior leaders meet monthly for confidential small group mentoring. http://mpowir.org/get-involved/mentor-groups/

Co-Chair Recruitment
After 11+ years of service to MPOWIR, Dr. Colleen Mouw is transitioning away from the co-chair role.  As such, MPOWIR is seeking a new co-chair to join Dr. Mona Behl in leading MPOWIR. The co-chairs join MPOWIR coordinator, Ms. Sarah Clem to form the leadership team. The ideal candidate is an individual who has been involved with MPOWIR activities in the past, has a passion for mentoring and inclusion, has sufficient time available, is in a permanent position (though not necessarily academic), and is well integrated in the physical oceanography community, with a wide network of connections and collaborations, and regular participation in community meetings.  

The co-chair will be involved in planning and executing all program elements, maintaining and developing relationships with community members that volunteer for MPOWIR activities, co-leading mentorship education training, interfacing with the MPOWIR steering committee, and aiding in program evaluation, publications, and reporting.  The opportunity requires participating in planning meetings held every other week and additional meetings at the onset of program elements. The role is planned to start in December 2025, , with a transition period assisted by the outgoing co-chair, Colleen Mouw. Currently this is an unfunded position, but planned future proposals will have the opportunity for salary support. 

Please reach out to Dr. Mona Behl (mbehl@uga.edu) or Ms. Sarah Clem (sclem@uri.edu) with any questions or for more information about the role.

Please nominate yourself or colleagues you believe would be excellent in this role.  For self-nominations please plan to include a ‘Statement of interest’ (two page max) and your CV. Nominations can be submitted online and will be accepted through October 10, 2025. 

Nomination Link: https://uri.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5093xCxvo4r8fum 

Following an open nomination period, applications will be reviewed by the MPOWIR leadership team and  Steering Committee. A final list of nominees will be shared with the larger MPOWIR community for feedback and comments.

http://mpowir.org/get-involved/mpowir-pi-opportunity/

MPOWIR at OSM
MPOWIR will be hosting several opportunities at the Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. Stay tuned for a schedule of events and opportunities!