Investigating the complex natural and cultural resource management challenges we face today requires building diverse, interdisciplinary research teams. Robust stakeholder engagement is also critical for ensuring that publicly funded science answers questions that are relevant to natural and cultural resource management decisions. Early career scientists who learn how to engage with multi-disciplinary research teams and stakeholders in the early stages of their career have a competitive advantage in the workforce and can help develop actionable science that addresses critical management questions.
This project built upon the successes of the 2014 Early Career Training to develop and host a week-long professional development training for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career environmental professionals within the South Central Climate Science Center (SC CSC) region. The training provided a foundation for working in today’s interdisciplinary, stakeholder-driven research contexts and removing institutional barriers at an influential time of development for participants. Participants were encouraged to continue networking across the SC CSC through their research pathways and be leaders in outcome-oriented, interdisciplinary research that addresses stakeholder-driven research questions.
