Bob Graham Center for Public Service

Rebecca Burton is the program coordinator for the University of Florida Gulf Scholars Program, which supports Gulf of Mexico region colleges and universities in preparing undergraduate students as the next generation to address critical challenges in the region related to the focus areas of the Gulf Research Program – community health and resilience, environmental protection and stewardship, and offshore energy safety. Participating schools engage students from across the sciences, engineering, medicine, humanities, arts, and beyond to develop key competencies and mindsets necessary to address critical Gulf challenges.

Burton has more than a decade of experience in journalism, science communication, public relations, strategic planning, program development, and digital engagement and outreach strategy in the environmental sphere. Prior to this role, she was hired as a founding team member of the University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute, a brand-new organization with an ambitious mission: to advance public understanding of environmental issues in Florida. In this role, she envisioned and implemented educational campaigns that reached and engaged hundreds of thousands of Floridians, including public school teachers and their students. She also coordinated professional development programs that equip journalists and scientists with practical science communication and leadership skills.

A native of Pensacola, Burton previously served as the communications coordinator for Florida Sea Grant and has reported for Health News Florida, The Gainesville Sun, The Miami Herald and The New York Times Student Journalism Institute. She has previously served on the Florida Outdoor Writers Association’s board of directors and is a member of the National Association of Science Writers. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Florida International University and a master’s in science and health communication from UF.

She is also one of the founders of The Marjorie, Florida’s only independent reporting outlet dedicated to the critical intersection of social justice and the environment.