The IAI/UM Summer Institutes on Interdisciplinary Science in the Americas, 1999-2001

Guillermo Podestá

University of Miami

Marcella Ohira-Schwarz

IAI Directorate With financial support from the US National Science Foundation

What is the IAI? - 1

Intergovernmental organization 19 member countries

IAI Goals

Understand better global change-related phenomena in the Americas and their socioeconomic implications Disseminate emerging information at all levels Augment scientific capacity of the region

Motivation

Social science perspective crucial to address complex global change issues and bridge science-policy gap Limited response of social science community of the Americas to IAI announcements of opportunity Good ideas, but poorly “packaged” and “sold” in research proposals to IAI

Proposed Solutions - 1

Bring together natural and social scientists to… – Understand how “the other half” views and addresses complex global change issues – Develop common language, trust, open dialogue – Foster communication and collaboration – Promote the development of collaborative networks

Proposed Solutions - 2

Enhance regional capacity to develop competitive interdisciplinary research proposals – Train participants in proposal development – Familiarize early-career scientists with IAI proposal review procedures

Summer Institute Design - 1

Centered on a broad global change theme – Regionally relevant – Needing both natural and social science perspectives

1999: Interannual Climate Variability 2000: Land Use / Land Change 2001: Integrated Water Resources Management Duration:

3 weeks

Location:

Miami

Participants:

20-22 from 17 IAI countries

Summer Institute Design - 2

Institute Leaders – One from natural sciences, one from social sciences – Responsible for program development – Provided overall guidance, continuity (stayed all 3 weeks) Visiting lecturers (9-12 per Institute) – World-class leaders in their specialties – Encouraged to interact with participants Mini-projects – Two projects per Institute, “hands-on” approach – Focused on global change issue through interdisciplinary perspective; seed for collaborative networks Interdisciplinary proposal development and review

Institute Assessment - 1

ALL participants ranked overall experience “very good or excellent” Strong interest throughout region – Over 80 applicants per year, almost every IAI country – Quality/diversity of applicants increased dramatically – Multiple queries about an SI in 2002 Summer Institutes attracted social scientists and other types of participants – Progressive increase in numbers of applicants/participants from social sciences – Applications from members of governmental, non governmental and international organizations

Lessons Learned - 1

Basic design proved sound, but Institute model can (and should!) be revisited frequently Partnerships with other organizations have great potential (e.g. UNESCO LA Regional Office, AAAS) PERSONAL interaction with peers and potential mentors is fundamental

Lessons Learned - 2

Participant selection is critical for success – Keep high selection standards – But…do not lose sight of “capacity building” goal – Find hints of interest on interdisciplinary work (the “right stuff”?) Need to tie Institutes with IAI Announcements of Opportunity “It’s the logistics, stupid…” It takes LOTS of work and resources

Institute Assessment - 2

Summer Institutes contributed to build the IAI’s human networks Summer Institutes promoted science/policy interactions – SI-2000 participants held conference call with Governor of Acre State (Brazil); provided advice resulting from mini project