Earth Science Women’s Network Free Virtual Event: Careers Beyond Academia – Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, October 23rd 2025, 1600 UTC

Thank you for your interest in the Careers Beyond Academia Webinar Series organized by the Earth Science Women’s Network!

We are excited to host a group of international panelists working in different sectors who will share their thoughts, advice and experiences about careers focused on engagement and knowledge exchange with us through this virtual event.

The webinar is free and will be held virtually using Zoom.

You can find the start time in your timezone here: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=ESWN+Careers+Beyond+Academia+Webinar+-+Strategic+Engagement%2FPartnerships+and+Knowledge+Exchange&iso=20251023T16&p1=1440&ah=1&am=30

We will be joined by:

Andrea Padilla (UK Collaborative on Development Research, United Kingdom)
Kadidia Thiero (University of California, Los Angeles, United States of America)
Ruth Kirk (University of Sheffield, United Kingdom)
Anna Stewart Ibarra (Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), Panama)

Preliminary Agenda

The preliminary agenda for the event is listed below:

Welcome and Introductions [5 mins]
Panelist experiences [15 mins]
Panel Discussion [35 mins]
Breakout Rooms – meet the panelists [30 mins]
Event Close

Recording

All parts of this workshop (except the breakout rooms) will be recorded. A link will be made available to participants after the workshop.

Zoom link

A Zoom link will be sent to you separately directly from Zoom at least 48 hours before the event date.

Questions? Email us on events [at] eswnonline [dot] org

We look forward to e-meeting you in October!

The ESWN Professional Development and Networking Committee

Speaker bios

Ruth Kirk (University of Sheffield, United Kingdom)

Ruth Kirk is a Knowledge Exchange Manager at the University of Sheffield. After completing her PhD in clumped isotope geochemistry at the University of East Anglia in 2017 she spent some time in New Zealand before returning to the UK, where she has since worked in knowledge exchange and research communication roles in both industry and universities.

Andrea Padilla (UK Collaborative on Development Research, United Kingdom)

Andrea Padilla is an international development professional with a decade of experience in project management, policy and data analysis, and research coordination. She is passionate about bridging the gap between research, policymaking, and practice. She has collaborated with government funders from both the Global North and South, universities, UN agencies, and NGOs to strengthen collaboration and inform decision-making in R&D, with a focus on sustainability, peacebuilding, and global health. Andrea holds a BSc in International Relations from Rosario University and an MSc in Sustainable Development from the University of Sussex.

Kadidia Thiero (University of California, Los Angeles, USA)

Kadidia Thiero, is an education advocate, connecting the community with resources to access the Earth System Sciences ecosystem, and disrupting the barriers to equitable opportunities in STEM for all who want to pursue these pathways. Kadidia Thiero serves as the Policy Project Analyst for the Center for Developing Leadership in Science (CDLS) at UCLA. She manages collaboration opportunities, diversity and inclusion efforts, proposal development, and strategic planning. Prior to CDLS, Ms. Thiero served as the Principal Investigator and Program Lead for the U.S. National Science Foundation Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (NSF SOARS®) Program and affiliated efforts at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Prior to NSF SOARS, Kadidia served as the Outreach Administrator for the NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, a multi-institution Cooperative Science Center, led by Howard University. Kadidia Thiero graduated from Howard University, earned the BA in Spanish Language and Literature; and received her MA in Latin American Studies from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

Anna Stewart Ibarra (Executive Director, Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), Panama)

Anna Stewart-Ibarra is the Executive Director of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). In this role, she supports IAI member states in their efforts to achieve the full and open exchange of scientific information relevant to global change for a sustainable Americas. Anna is an expert on climate and health in Latin America and the Caribbean. She received her PhD in ecology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) and Masters in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.