SEFS project looking at data, forest management receives USDA grant, seeks six fellows
The UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences has received a $246,000 award from the USDA‘s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to support fellowships for a cohort of students who will receive training and conduct research that aims to study forests using geospatial data.
The project that aims to bridge the gap between sustainable forest management and data sciences by using leadership-focused and diverse SEFS fellows. The project director is L. Monika Moskal, SEFS Professor, and the team includes SEFS Director and Professor Dan Brown, Associate Professor David Butman and Professor Clare Ryan.
The team is currently recruiting six masters-level fellows for the project. Relevant disciplines include environmental science/management, including economics, decision management and biometry.
Learn more about how to apply here.
Interested applicants should must complete the Online Application for Graduate Study at the University of Washington preferably by Dec 1, but applications will be accepted till March 1, 2022. Applicants should also consult the application process in SEFS available here. Applicants need to indicate in their research statement that they are applying to the “Bridging the Gap” program. Candidates who do not see themselves historically represented in data sciences and natural resources are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants can direct questions to Professor Moskal at lmmoskal@uw.edu.
The project received one of 14 National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Program (NNF) grants. NNF grants are designated for graduate degree (masters and doctoral) programs and postgraduate training of the next generation of policy makers, researchers and educators in the food and agricultural sciences.The overarching goals and objectives of the NNF awards are to encourage students to complete graduate degrees in the areas of food and agricultural sciences designated by NIFA as areas of national need.
Here is the full abstract for the project:
“We aim to accelerate the bridging of the gap between sustainable forest management and data sciences by establishing leadership focused, diverse graduate fellowship in SEFS at UW. We will use evidence based experiential learning frameworks, harnessing big data and apply those to large scale integrated social and biological issues faced by the forest and natural resources industries. We focus on Targeted Expertise Shortage Areas of Data Science, to enable management through geospatial data building, analysis, and research communications. This approach responds to the USDA Strategic Goals: (5) Strengthen the stewardship of private lands through technology and research and (6) Foster productive and sustainable use of our National Forest System Lands. This is responsive to the NNF goals of providing traineeship programs meeting the national need to develop scientific and professional expertise in Natural Resources, and Human Sciences. We harness engagement with stakeholders on the board of the PFC. The objectives of the fellowship framework will holistically integrate stakeholder driven applied research by selecting projects defined by the PFC private, public, and non-profit sector stakeholders. The development of knowledge and intellectual abilities will be achieved through focused courses and stakeholder engagement. The experiential learning will include the project and potential for summer internship with the stakeholders, in which the projects can be further explored and refined. We will focus on communication through scientific writing, public speaking, and other innovative engagement opportunities. Intellectual growth will be complimented with professional development, leadership training, and mentorship to advance the personal effectiveness of the Fellows.”