Paul J. Runci
Providence
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Communications Advisor
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Richland
01.2016 - 04.2025
- Advised PNNL's Chief Communications Officer on communications strategy, directing the redevelopment of the laboratory's internal and external websites.
- Oversaw creation of PNNL's official institutional style guide.
- Wrote official high-level PNNL identity language for use in all external communications.
- Harmonized and aligned institutional language for consistency of message and voice across all PNNL web pages and collateral materials.
- Worked closely with PNNL's graphic design team to create flagship institutional videos, high-visibility marketing documents, annual reports, flyers, and other collateral materials.
- Advised PNNL's Director of Institutional Planning, and worked closely with senior leadership on the development of the laboratory's annual strategic plan. Responsibilities included the drafting of key sections of the report, such as high-level institutional messages, and descriptions of major scientific initiatives accessible to non-technical audiences including program sponsors. Copyedited and proofread the annual strategic plan, ensuring quality, accuracy, and consistency of voice.
- Managed PNNL's external awards program, guiding research staff members in the drafting of major award application proposals.
- Founded and managed PNNL's StoryLab science communication training program. StoryLab was created to help researchers use storytelling techniques to connect with non-technical audiences and explain their work in language that was accessible, memorable, and exciting to listeners.
Acting Director of Government Affairs
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Richland
02.2015 - 01.2016
- Advocated for PNNL's science mission to Congress and U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
- Advised laboratory leadership on critical legislative, policy, and regulatory developments.
- Formulated federal appropriations requests and engagement strategies with Congress.
- Coordinated visits from Congressional staff and members to PNNL facilities.
- Represented PNNL in professional associations and consortia across Washington, DC.
Science & Technology Advisor (Fellow)
United States Senate
Washington
01.2009 - 12.2011
- Awarded two year-long fellowships by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as in-house counsel to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell on energy, environment, climate, and science issues.
- Advised Senate staff on energy policy and environmental legislation.
- Supported Senator’s initiatives on Energy & Natural Resources and Finance Committees.
- Engaged with constituents and stakeholders to build support for legislative efforts.
Research Scientist
Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/University of Maryland
College Park
03.2006 - 12.2010
- Conducted research on comparative energy policy and social dimensions of renewable energy.
- Managed stakeholder engagement across industry, government, and academia to enhance energy decision-making.
- Oversaw U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-sponsored program to refine modeling for developing regions.
- Coordinated Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change initiative to develop new climate modeling scenarios.
Independent Consultant
Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/University of Maryland
College Park
08.2000 - 03.2006
- Conducted comparative energy policy research and analysis, energy R&D, and other environmental issues in support of global energy and integrated assessment model development efforts.
Research Scientist
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Washington
01.1998 - 12.2000
- Managed and conducted research on international trends in energy policy and in public and private sector energy research and development in industrialized countries for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
- Managed research effort addressing U.S. market for carbon capture and sequestration technologies for major industrial clients.
- Prepared policy analyses related to global climate change in conjunction with the Global Climate Change Group’s integrated assessment modeling team.
Graduate Research Fellow
University of Maryland
College Park
01.1998 - 12.2000
- Conducted research alongside Program faculty on topics including politics of infectious disease, global environmental change, environmental security, and futures studies.
Research Associate
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Washington
06.1993 - 12.2000
- Designed management and program evaluation procedures for the U.S. Department of Energy’s bilateral international technology agreements.
- Led feasibility study energy technology pilot projects in South Africa.
- Provided analytical support to Director of Strategic Planning.
Education
Ph.D. - Department of Government and Politics
University of Maryland College Park
College ParkM.A.L.D. -
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Fulbright Scholar -
Universität Konstanz
GermanyB.A. - Department of Germanic Studies
Boston College
Skills
- Communication strategy
- Strategic planning
- Problem solving
- Editing and proofreading
- Science writing
- Proposal development
- Online materials writing
- Documentation and technical writing
- Storytelling techniques
- Stakeholder engagement
- Science communication
- Content development
Foreign Language Skills
German, fluent
Selected Publications
- Hultman, N.E., E.L. Malone, P. Runci, G. Carlock, K. Anderson, Factors in Low-Carbon Energy Transformations: Comparing Nuclear and Bioenergy in Brazil, Sweden, and the U.S., Energy Policy, 40, 01/01/12, 131–146
- Babiker, M., F. Birol, et al., Toward New Scenarios for the Analysis of Emissions, Climate Change, Impacts, and Response Strategies, Expert Meeting Report, Spring 2008
- Runci, P., Expanding the Participation of Developing Country Scientists in International Climate Change Research, Environmental Practice, 9, 4, 12/01/07, 225-227
- Runci, P., L. Clarke, and J. Dooley, Energy Research, Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2006
Military Experience
- Second Lieutenant, United States Army Reserve, 483rd Combat Engineer Battalion, New Bedford, MA, Honorably Discharged
Languages
German
Full Professional
Accomplishments
- Served as founding Executive Director and Board Chair, Society for Science at User Research Facilities, a professional society for scientists conducting research at federally-sponsored science laboratories and facilities.
Affiliations
- Traditional Irish Musician - I play Irish flute and guitar accompaniment in the traditional Irish band, Gravelly Point.
- Pilates Instructor - I hold a comprehensive Pilates certification from Power Pilates and teach group and individual classical Pilates classes at Providence Pilates Center.
- Pizzaiolo - I am an enthusiastic wood-fired pizza maker. I have a backyard wood-fired oven that has equipped me to make more than 2,000 pies to date.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Communications Advisor
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
01.2016 - 04.2025
Acting Director of Government Affairs
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
02.2015 - 01.2016
Science & Technology Advisor (Fellow)
United States Senate
01.2009 - 12.2011
Research Scientist
Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/University of Maryland
03.2006 - 12.2010
Independent Consultant
Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/University of Maryland
08.2000 - 03.2006
Research Scientist
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
01.1998 - 12.2000
Graduate Research Fellow
University of Maryland
01.1998 - 12.2000
Research Associate
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
06.1993 - 12.2000
Ph.D. - Department of Government and Politics
University of Maryland College Park
M.A.L.D. -
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Fulbright Scholar -
Universität Konstanz
B.A. - Department of Germanic Studies
Boston College
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