With financial support from the US National Science Foundation

The IAI/UM Summer InstitutesThe IAI/UM Summer Instituteson Interdisciplinary Scienceon Interdisciplinary Sciencein the Americas, 1999-2001in the Americas, 1999-2001

Guillermo PodestáGuillermo PodestáUniversity of MiamiUniversity of Miami

Marcella Ohira-SchwarzMarcella Ohira-SchwarzIAI DirectorateIAI Directorate

What is the IAI? - 1What is the IAI? - 1

Intergovernmental Intergovernmental organizationorganization

19 member countries19 member countries

IAI GoalsIAI Goals

Understand better global change-related Understand better global change-related phenomena in the Americas and their phenomena in the Americas and their socioeconomic implicationssocioeconomic implications

Disseminate emerging information Disseminate emerging information at all levelsat all levels

Augment scientific capacity of the regionAugment scientific capacity of the region

MotivationMotivation

Social science perspective crucial to Social science perspective crucial to address complex global change issues address complex global change issues and bridge science-policy gapand bridge science-policy gap

Limited response of social science Limited response of social science community of the Americas to IAI community of the Americas to IAI announcements of opportunityannouncements of opportunity

Good ideas, but poorly “packaged” and Good ideas, but poorly “packaged” and “sold” in research proposals to IAI“sold” in research proposals to IAI

Proposed Solutions - 1Proposed Solutions - 1

Bring together natural and social scientists Bring together natural and social scientists to…to…

– Understand how “the other half” views and Understand how “the other half” views and addresses complex global change issuesaddresses complex global change issues

– Develop common language, trust, open Develop common language, trust, open dialoguedialogue

– Foster communication and collaboration Foster communication and collaboration

– Promote the development of Promote the development of collaborative networkscollaborative networks

Proposed Solutions - 2Proposed Solutions - 2

Enhance regional capacity to develop Enhance regional capacity to develop competitive interdisciplinary research competitive interdisciplinary research proposalsproposals

– Train participants in proposal developmentTrain participants in proposal development

– Familiarize early-career scientists with IAI Familiarize early-career scientists with IAI proposal review proceduresproposal review procedures

Summer Institute Design - 1Summer Institute Design - 1Centered on a broad global change themeCentered on a broad global change theme

– Regionally relevantRegionally relevant

– Needing both natural and social science Needing both natural and social science perspectivesperspectives

1999: Interannual Climate Variability1999: Interannual Climate Variability

2000: Land Use / Land Change2000: Land Use / Land Change

2001: Integrated Water Resources Management2001: Integrated Water Resources Management

Duration: Duration: 3 weeks3 weeks Location: Location: MiamiMiami

Participants: Participants: 20-22 from 17 IAI countries20-22 from 17 IAI countries

Summer Institute Design - 2Summer Institute Design - 2Institute LeadersInstitute Leaders

– One from natural sciences, one from social sciencesOne from natural sciences, one from social sciences

– Responsible for program developmentResponsible for program development

– Provided overall guidance, continuity (stayed all 3 weeks)Provided overall guidance, continuity (stayed all 3 weeks)

Visiting lecturers (9-12 per Institute)Visiting lecturers (9-12 per Institute)

– World-class leaders in their specialtiesWorld-class leaders in their specialties

– Encouraged to interact with participantsEncouraged to interact with participants

Mini-projectsMini-projects

– Two projects per Institute, “hands-on” approachTwo projects per Institute, “hands-on” approach

– Focused on global change issue through interdisciplinary Focused on global change issue through interdisciplinary perspective; seed for collaborative networksperspective; seed for collaborative networks

Interdisciplinary proposal development and reviewInterdisciplinary proposal development and review

Institute Assessment - 1Institute Assessment - 1

ALL participants ranked overall experience ALL participants ranked overall experience “very good or excellent”“very good or excellent”

Strong interest throughout regionStrong interest throughout region– Over 80 applicants per year, almost every IAI countryOver 80 applicants per year, almost every IAI country

– Quality/diversity of applicants increased dramaticallyQuality/diversity of applicants increased dramatically

– Multiple queries about an SI in 2002Multiple queries about an SI in 2002

Summer Institutes attracted social scientists and Summer Institutes attracted social scientists and other types of participantsother types of participants

– Progressive increase in numbers of Progressive increase in numbers of applicants/participants from social sciencesapplicants/participants from social sciences

– Applications from members of governmental, non-Applications from members of governmental, non-governmental and international organizationsgovernmental and international organizations

Lessons Learned - 1Lessons Learned - 1

Basic design proved sound, but Institute Basic design proved sound, but Institute model can (and should!) be revisited model can (and should!) be revisited frequentlyfrequently

Partnerships with other organizations have Partnerships with other organizations have great potential great potential (e.g. UNESCO LA Regional (e.g. UNESCO LA Regional Office, AAAS)Office, AAAS)

PERSONAL interaction with peers and potential PERSONAL interaction with peers and potential mentors is fundamentalmentors is fundamental

Lessons Learned - 2Lessons Learned - 2Participant selection is critical for successParticipant selection is critical for success

– Keep high selection standardsKeep high selection standards

– But…do not lose sight of “capacity building” goalBut…do not lose sight of “capacity building” goal

– Find hints of interest on interdisciplinary work (the “right Find hints of interest on interdisciplinary work (the “right stuff”?)stuff”?)

Need to tie Institutes with IAI Need to tie Institutes with IAI Announcements of OpportunityAnnouncements of Opportunity

““It’s the logistics, stupid…” It takes LOTS of It’s the logistics, stupid…” It takes LOTS of work and resourceswork and resources

Institute Assessment - 2Institute Assessment - 2Summer Institutes contributed to build the IAI’s Summer Institutes contributed to build the IAI’s human networkshuman networks

Summer Institutes promoted Summer Institutes promoted science/policy interactions science/policy interactions

– SI-2000 participants held conference SI-2000 participants held conference call with Governor of Acre State call with Governor of Acre State (Brazil); provided advice resulting from (Brazil); provided advice resulting from mini-projectmini-project