PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University, Geology department (2025 – present)

• Lecturer on Record for introductory Weather and Climate, Auburn University (2023)

• Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant, Auburn University (2020-2025)

• 2020-2022; National Science Foundation Research Trainee on Climate Resilience

The Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science # 149
One Campus Drive Allendale, Michigan 49401-9403
Office Telephone: (616)-331-3887
Office Fax: (616)-331-3740
Electronic Mail: [email protected]

EDUCATION

• Ph.D., Earth System Science (Geoscience Education) – Auburn University, expected December 2025

• M.S., Geography (Geoscience Education) – Auburn University, 2023

• B.S., Marine Science (Chemistry emphasis) – University of South Carolina, 2020

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Student coordinator and co-evaluator for USGS Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow (CAST) undergraduate research program (2022-2025)
• Global Change Fellow, United States Geological Survey & Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (2024-2025)
• National Research Trainee on Climate Resilience, National Science Foundation (2020-2025)

COURSES

• GEO 203: Weather and Climate for Pre Service Teachers
• GEO 486: Geology Seminar

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am a discipline-based education researcher (DBER) who uses qualitative and quantitative methods to study how people think, learn, and engage with materials regarding complex Earth processes, like climate change. My research involves the use of biometric quantitative methods, like eye tracking, and qualitative methods, like interviews, to explore how people interact with scientific materials, web tools, and academic papers. A central theme of my work is developing and evaluating educational strategies, technologies, and curricula that enhance students’ climate literacy, promote evidence-based reasoning, and reduce barriers to learning. I am also committed to advancing inclusive pedagogy and interdisciplinary collaborations that prepare the next generation of decision-makers to respond to the challenges of a changing climate.

RECENT PROJECTS

• Evaluating the outcomes and student growth resulting from the Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow (CAST) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU).
• Examining the Novice-Expert Continuum of academic paper reading strategies: an eye tracking study.
• Understanding the Outcomes from a Classroom Intervention Using an Educational Climate Modeling Tool with Non-Science Major Undergraduates.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Brown, J. A., McNeal, K. S., Candler, M. (2023) Eye Tracking an Online Climate Modeling Tool to Evaluate Three Dimensions of Usability, to appear in Weather, Climate, and Society

Brown, J. (2023). Evaluating The Three Dimensions of Usability for an Online Climate Modeling Tool: A Coproduced Eye Tracking Study (Master's thesis).

RECENT CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Brown, J. A., McNeal, K. S., Mitra, C. (2024). Examining the Relationship Between Climate Knowledge and Perceptions in an Introductory Weather and Climate Course presented at the American Geophysical Union Annual Conference

Brown, J. A., McNeal, K. S., (2024) An Evaluation: Developing a Diverse Research Workforce with Expertise in Hydrological Climate Events in the Upland Watersheds of the Northern Gulf of Mexico (Hydroclimate-AU) presented at the American Geophysical Union Annual Conference

Brown, J.A. (2024) Important lessons from the latest IPCC Report: How can you integrate climate science into your management plans? Oral presentation at the Southeast Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change Manager Workshop

Brown, J. A., McNeal, K. S., Chandler, M. (2023). Evaluating the usability of the EzGCM climate modeling toolkit and its impact on undergraduate students’ understanding of the climate modeling process and climate change science poster presented at the Earth Educators Rendezvous Conference.