Integrative Events

Title: Expanding Horizons – Connecting Freshwater Researchers Across Borders

Date/Time: Tuesday, May, 17, 12:00 – 1:30 pm

Abstract:

In this time of global climate change and accelerating anthropogenic threats, there are numerous ‘wicked problems’ that can only be solved through collaboration – both across disciplines and borders. However, researchers are only human and are functionally limited in collaborations by their social networks and reach. Here members of the International Association for Great Lakes Research and the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education build on past efforts to connect the global scientific community by inviting JASM participants to gather and ‘expand their horizons’.
This event will engage participants with different perspectives, particularly spanning global bodies of freshwater, to spark collaborative conversations and connect on a personal level in both formal and informal networking components. Participants will be encouraged to submit photos of their ‘favourite water body’ ahead of time and a slideshow of photos will be presented to spark conversations.
Organizers will open with brief remarks, and then participants will cycle through tables, for focused group discussions with defined themes (still in development, but examples include barriers to equitable collaboration [e.g., between global North-global South], successful approaches for large lakes research/management, bridging silos between science and policy, lessons learned across geographies, and shared threats to freshwater). The final half hour will be unstructured networking with light refreshments.

Organizers:

Jessica Ives, University of Windsor, jtimives@gmail.com
Stephanie Smith, African Center for Aquatic Research and Education, stephanie@agl-acare.org
Zephaniah Migeni, African Center for Aquatic Research and Education, zeph@agl-acare.org
Ted Lawrence, African Center for Aquatic Research and Education, ted@agl-acare.org
Alfred Achieng, University of Eldoret, achiengalfred@gmail.com

Title: Leading for Change – How Women in Science are Overcoming Adversities

Date/Time: Tuesday, May, 17, 12:00 – 1:30 pm

Abstract:

It is no secret that there is a long history of women experiencing sexism, inequality, and harassment in the workplace. For women in science, there are often additional challenges attributed to them, as scientists have traditionally been viewed as men and particularly white men. Today, women can lead and overcome adversity in ways our older female colleagues may have never thought possible. So, why do we need to continue to talk about this and educate both our male and female colleagues? Because these acts of sexism, inequality, and harassment continue and those affected should know what support systems and resources exist to help. This event proposes to show a shortened version of the film “Picture a Scientist,” followed by a moderated panel discussion that brings together strong women leaders in the Consortium of Aquatic Sciences Societies to discuss various challenges women face in science fields. The panel may also include academics who study this behavior or those involved with Title IX work, policymakers involved with the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act, men who have witnessed and supported their women colleagues, scientists involved in the film, or organizations such as the Association for Women in Science. This event is open to a general audience of both women and men and will include time for questions from the audience.

This luncheon is being co-lead by the SWS Women in Wetlands Section membership.

Organizers:

Katie Rousseau, Great Lakes Observing System, katie@glos.org

Kelli Paige, Great Lakes Observing System, kelli@glos.org

Rebecca Klaper, School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, rklaper@uwm.edu

Ashley Moerke, Lake Superior State University, Society for Freshwater Science, amoerke@lssu.edu

Jen Karberg, SWS Women in Wetlands Chair, jenkarberg@gmail.com

Title: A transatlantic confluence of researchers who study drying freshwaters

Date/Time: Tuesday, May, 17, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

Abstract:

Arising from an interdisciplinary group of international scientists involved in large collaborative research projects on drying freshwaters, this integrative event will accompany the symposia proposal we have submitted separately, “Drying freshwaters in the Anthropocene Era: ecological effects and socio-economic perspective.” We anticipate symposia presentations from several large collaborative research projects on drying in freshwaters, the EU-project DRYvER led by Datry, the US-based AIMS project led by Burgin, and the US-based Dry Rivers RCN and StreamCLIMES projects led by Allen. Accordingly, we propose to host an “Integrative Event” either immediately before or after the accompanying “Symposium Session.” We will organize this event as a social and networking opportunity for symposium presenters and attendees, as this will be a rare chance for EU and US based researchers to interact in person.

Organizers:

Daniel Allen, Penn State, daniel.c.allen@psu.edu
Amy Burgin, University of Kansas, burginam@ku.edu
Thibault Datry, RiverLY research unit, INRAE, Villeurbanne, France, thibault.datry@inrae.fr

Title: Aquatic N2-Fixation Research Coordination Network

Date/Time: Tuesday, May, 17, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

Abstract:

The overarching goal of the Aquatic N2-Fixation Research Coordination Network is to cultivate a new paradigm of the fundamental, yet understudied, role of N2-fixation in ecosystem processes across the freshwater to marine continuum. To that end, we have identified the following objectives to propel our understanding of aquatic N2 fixation forward:

•Derive conceptual and quantitative models of the relative importance of autotrophic and heterotrophic N2 fixation for diverse ecosystems along the freshwater-marine continuum

•Characterize the role of biological stoichiometry in constraining N2 fixation at the population, community, and ecosystem scale; specifically comparing/contrasting the variable stoichiometries of autotrophic and heterotrophic N2 fixation

•Develop a set of common mathematical and statistical tools enabling the upscaling of N2 fixation for comparison within and among diverse aquatic ecosystems and in regional and global N budgets

•Identify major gaps in knowledge that are prohibiting research advancement and generate a plan for coordinating N2 fixation research focused on these issues

•Create a community for sharing data, conceptual and quantitative models, and other aquatic N2 fixation information.

We invite anyone interested in N2 fixation across all aquatic habitats, from open ocean to headwater stream, to join us to discuss these objectives, meet other network participants, and learn how to get involved in RCN activities.

Organizers:

Amy Marcarelli, Michigan Technological University, ammarcar@mtu.edu
Thad Scott, Baylor University, Thad_Scott@baylor.edu
Robinson Fulweiler, Boston University, rwf@bu.edu

Title: Speed Networking for Early Career Professionals

Date/Time: Tuesday, May, 17, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

Abstract:

Professionals beginning their careers often need to broaden their professional (and social) networks. Typically, their networks are limited to contacts from their university or graduate program. Thus, a chance to acquire contacts from a range of professions (academic, governmental, private, and nonprofit) would benefit a fresh cohort of professionals seeking to develop their careers. This event will be divided into three segments: Speed Networking, Game Activity, and Focus Group. The Speed Networking is an opportunity for early career professionals to rapidly meet a variety of fellow specialists in a structured, but casual, format. The Speed Networking segment is critical to establishing a connection between the early career individuals and sparking professional connection with one another. The Game Activity will provide a less structured period for participants to expand on that connection in a more social capacity. Not only will this alleviate some of the stiff, structured interaction from the speed networking, it will encourage a more casual period of networking while still providing some guided participation. Lastly, the Focus Group will reassemble everyone and direct their attention to how professional societies can better serve early career professionals. Specifically, the facilitated Focus Group Activity will address how societies such as those in JASM can better benefit early career professionals.

Organizers:

Jeffrey Matthews, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, jmatthew@illinois.edu
Whitney Kroschel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, whitney.kroschel@gmail.com
David Riera, Florida International University, Drier003@fiu.edu