Biography
Judy Diamond
Professor in the University Libraries at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Curator at the University of Nebraska State Museum
Food Industry Complex (FOOD) 49
Lincoln NE 68583-0700
jdiamond1@unl.edu
Committee term end date: October 1, 2027
Judy Diamond's career has been dedicated to creating informal science education outreach programs and conducting research on the behavior of wild birds. During her three decades as curator of informal science education at the University of Nebraska State Museum (Morrill Hall), she served as principal investigator or co-investigator for $21 million in grants to support outreach projects on human biology, evolution, viruses, Antarctic climate change and women in science. Her initiatives have fostered public education and learning research about cutting-edge scientific research through innovative museum exhibits, a NOVA documentary, comics, computer applications and out-of-school youth activities. The foundation for her work was developed during her early career positions at the Lawrence Hall of Science, the Exploratorium and as deputy director of the San Diego Natural History Museum. At the University of Nebraska State Museum, Morrill Hill, Diamond led the development of permanent galleries on paleontology and evolution and funded them with her U.S. National Science Foundation grants, coordinating thirty exhibits produced in-house. In partnership with the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, she developed educational loan kits on four Nebraska tribes. Since joining the library faculty in 2020, her projects have helped to fund the enhancement of science resources in over 30 tribal and rural libraries. Diamond's research on the behavior of wild parrots was funded by the National Geographic Society, and she is an authority on comparative studies of bird play. She has made significant contributions to the public understanding of science through her 13 published books, 14 book chapters and special journal issues and 54 peer-reviewed journal articles. In 2014, Diamond was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She received the Enduring Achievement Award in 2024 from the Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society, the Innovation, Development, and Engagement Award in 2022 from the University of Nebraska and the Outstanding Administrative Support Award in 2019 from the National Science Education Leadership Association.