Experiential Graduate Course Prepares Transdisciplinary Future Leaders to Innovate at the Food-Energy-Water Nexus

Food, energy and water (FEW) systems are critically stressed worldwide. These challenges require transformative science, engineering and policy solutions. However, cross-cutting solutions can only arise through transdisciplinary training of our future science and policy leaders. The University of Ma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability 2021-02, Vol.13 (3), p.1438
Main Authors: Murray, Rianna Teresa, Marbach-Ad, Gili, McKee, Kelsey, Sapkota, Amy Rebecca
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral sciences
Collaboration
Communication
Communication skills
Conferences
Cross cutting
Curricula
Cuttings
Energy
Engineering
Food
Graduate students
Graduate studies
Innovations
Interdisciplinary aspects
Leadership
Natural resource management
Professionals
STEM education
Students
Study abroad
Sustainability
Writing
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Summary:Food, energy and water (FEW) systems are critically stressed worldwide. These challenges require transformative science, engineering and policy solutions. However, cross-cutting solutions can only arise through transdisciplinary training of our future science and policy leaders. The University of Maryland Global STEWARDS National Science Foundation Research Traineeship seeks to meet these needs. This study assessed a foundational component of the program: a novel, experiential course focused on transdisciplinary training and communication skills. We drew on data from the first two offerings of the course and utilized a mixed-method, multi-informant evaluation that included validated pre–post surveys, individual interviews and focus groups. Paired Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon tests were used to compare pre- and post-means. After the course, students reported improvements in their ability to identify strengths and weaknesses of multiple FEW nexus disciplines; articulate interplays between FEW systems at multiple scales; explain to peers the most important aspects of their research; and collaborate with scientists outside their field. Students also reported improvements in their oral and written communication skills, along with their ability to critically review others’ work. Our findings demonstrate that this graduate course can serve as an effective model to develop transdisciplinary researchers and communicators through cutting edge, experiential curricular approaches.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su13031438