Marybeth Shea

Marybeth Shea is a Principal Lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Maryland, College of Arts and Humanities. She has been affiliated with the university since 1986, initially leading graduate student writing workshops for the School of Public Policy. Since 2002, she has been part of the Professional Writing Program (PWP), where she teaches Science Writing and Writing about the Environment. Her current research involves a USDA-funded project collaborating with agricultural scientists and farmers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to develop and communicate best practices for reducing chicken farm pollution. She is concurrently pursuing a Ph.D. in Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences at the University of Maryland.

Education:

• Ph.D. Candidate in Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences (University of Maryland)

Research Focus: Marybeth’s work bridges science communication and environmental policy. Her USDA project emphasizes translating technical agricultural research into actionable strategies for farmers while fostering dialogue between scientists and practitioners. She advocates for clear, accessible communication of environmental and scientific issues through her teaching and applied research.

Grants & Collaborations: Co-Principal Investigator on a USDA-funded initiative addressing agricultural pollution and stakeholder communication. This project integrates environmental science with community engagement to promote sustainable farming practices.

Labs/Teams: Works with interdisciplinary teams including agricultural scientists, farmers, and policymakers to align environmental goals with practical solutions.