Barriers- ability to address complex scientific dilemmas Disciplinary specialization- does not...
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Transcript of Barriers- ability to address complex scientific dilemmas Disciplinary specialization- does not...
Barriers- ability to address complex scientific dilemmas
Disciplinary specialization- does not guarantee the ability to solve complex problems
To cross barriers requires;A. Funding/Time – joint proposal
writing/doctoral preliminary examsB. Cross disciplinary cooperation/ integrated
technical trainingD. Getting around turfismE. Getting around egosF. Getting past differences in methodologies
What is IGERT or sometimes referred to as CATIE?
A NSF interdisciplinary and international funded grant initiative through the University of Idaho Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education center in Idaho and Costa Rica with the theme of biodiversity conservation and sustainable production of anthropogenically fragmented landscape
To Design research questions that integrate theoretical knowledge with practical problem solving
To research outcomes that impact the knowledge structures of each represented disciplinary product
To construct ways to create a critical awareness towards understanding the needs for interdisciplinary research
To over come institutional barriersTo produce grad students with interdisciplinary
backgrounds and deep knowledge in chosen disciplines with technical, professional and personal skills
To produce students to become their own career leaders and creative agents for change
Themes of the issues can become a bridge or barrier
A. IndividualB. DisciplinaryC. Programmatic
18 doctoral students in 4 cohorts over 2 yearsTheir backgrounds included; botany, economics,
entomology, forest ecology, wildlife and plant genetics, hydrology, remote sensing, rural sociology, soil science and wildlife biology
Students coursework took place in the College of Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science and Environmental Science
5 Research teams operated in agricultural and forested landscapes in Costa Rica and Idaho, USA. (3 in Costa Rica and 2 in Northern Idaho
IGERT fellows are involved in an interdisciplinary effort to study conservation biology and sustainability issues. Four cohorts of students are working closely with their UI and CATIE advisors, as well as other UI and CATIE graduate students. Students from different disciplinary backgrounds, including biological, physical and social sciences, work together in the cohorts and conduct comparative and cooperative research projects across ecological settings and disciplines.
Technical training through integrated networks
Funding - multi year graduate stipend for 3 years plus provided funding for professional travel
Time- joint proposal writing, doctoral exams, coordinated [proposal writing
Inquiry needs to come from the social and biophysical sides of the equation
The integration depends on the geographic location and region
VisionRisk takingFlexibilityCommon visionCreativityCross- disciplinary thinkingDedicationProfessionalism/accountabilityPatienceProblem SolvingConflict resolutionCommunication strategyExperience
IdiosyncrasiesLanguageParadigmScales and unitsSpatial scaleTemporal scaleMetricsTiming, models and frameworksExamples of interdisciplinary workTeam make up and focus themeProblem centered/applied resultsUnifying theme/focusAudience
1. Establish an accountability strategy2. Develop formal and informal communication
strategies3. Select team members thoughtfully and
strategically4. Address temporal and spacial scale issues5. Recognize and respect timing issues6. Define focal themes and research questions
jointly and clearly7. Emphasize problem definition and team proposal
writing8. Target interdisciplinary training9. Identify mentors on team integration
Framework Broad and flexible research topic Disciplinary or interdisciplinary focus Depth vs. breadth Mentoring Advisor experience/ commitment Proposal writing CATIE partnership International research Training and resources Technical training Funding Time Preliminary exams