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Type III: National Level Interventions

Concurrent Session 7.6 - Innovation/Ideation Sessions

Expanding Faculty and Student Engagement with Macrosystems Ecology and Data Science through Collaborative Research Projects in the Macrosystems Ecology for All (MEFA) Research Coordination Network

Saturday, November 9, 2024

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM East Coast USA Time

Location: Potomac IV, Ballroom Level

Primary Presenter(s)

Laurel J. Anderson (she/her/hers)

Professor
Ohio Wesleyan University
DELAWARE, Ohio, United States

Co-Presenter(s)

MH

Matthew Heard

Associate Professor
Belmont University, United States
KH

Kristy Hopfensperger

Professor
Northern Kentucky University, United States
MK

Mary Beth Kolozsvary

Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences
Siena College, United States
SS

Sara Scanga

Professor of Biology
Utica University, United States
TG

Tracy Gartner

Professor of Environmental Science and Biology
Carthage College, United States
JM

Jose-Luis Machado

Associate Professor of Biology
Swarthmore College, United States
AM

Andrew McCall

Denison University
TM

Timothy McCay

Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies
Colgate University, United States

Program Abstract: Macrosystems ecology explores links among geophysical, biological, and social-cultural processes across scales, and provides valuable insights into complex environmental problems. However, many faculty in teaching-oriented positions in higher education are not comfortable with macrosystems concepts or data science techniques used in macrosystems research. The Macrosystems Ecology For All Research Coordination Network (MEFA, NSF Award 2213541) is a diverse and welcoming community for faculty to gain the necessary training to become full participants in macrosystems science. We support collaborative, multi-institution projects that address macrosystems questions, use existing environmental datasets, and serve as vehicles for teaching undergraduate students macrosystems ecology and data science. Our projects include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plans within the project management framework and are encouraged to emphasize community involvement. MEFA embodies a transferable model for developing collaborative, cross-institution, inclusive research teams that provide faculty development alongside rich opportunities for undergraduate education through research and data analysis experiences.