Broadening Undergraduate Participation in Integrative LTER Research
The LTER Decadal Plan outlined a number of important and visionary Education goals and activities towards building the intellectual capacity for integrative research which emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and synthesis. Many LTERs already have strong undergraduate education programs and are striving to diversify the participation of minorities. In recent years, with NSF support, the Ecological Society of America's (ESA) SEEDS program has worked with several LTERs to host field trips, leadership meetings and undergraduate research fellows successfully engaging and nurturing minority students. How can we build on this relationship? What is the role of a professional society? What opportunities might there be to promote that interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to research? What does this mean for a wider undergraduate biology education? What joint strategies can be pursued to attract and retain minorities into careers in ecology and environmental science? This working group will brainstorm short term activities and longer-term ideas that may be developed for future projects.