Welcome to International Innovation

CREATING A HIGHLY-SKILLED, STEM-educated workforce has become an important priority in North America. Countries such as the US and Canada recognise that they must improve STEM capacity if they are to meet the job market’s increasing demand for STEM professionals as well as successfully compete in a global economy. Various STEM education and training initiatives are being rolled out in the US under President Barack Obama’s 'Educate to Innovate' initiative and the country’s five-year strategic national plan for education, presented in May 2013. In Canada, similar programmes are largely driven as part of the country’s Economic Action Plan. The US requires effective STEM education initiatives to help improve its world rankings – according to the Department of Education the US is positioned 25th in mathematics and 17th in science among industralised countries. Obama is determined to improve US rankings and has committed to goals that include producing 100,000 excellent STEM teachers by 2020 and the additional 1 million STEM graduates that will be needed over the next decade, as outlined in the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report in 2012. Canada boasts a high level of science, technology and innovation talent, but it must go further to ensure its place among global leaders, according to State of the Nation 2012 – Canada's Science, Technology and Innovation System: Aspiring to Global Leadership. In that analysis, the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) called upon the private sector to up its contributions to help elevate innovation and knowledge transfer and increase the number of science and engineering doctoral degrees. STEM education is a predominant feature in this edition of International Innovation, with research projects ranging from a programme in California that is helping students from economically challenged backgrounds graduate from STEM departments to another that is improving teaching in precalculus mathematics. Other featured projects include research into conservation, space weather, trademark law and transatlantic travel during the 19th and 20th centuries. NGOs, advocacy groups and the private sector have an important role to play in improving STEM education and increasing opportunities in related careers, and this edition spotlights several organisations working in this area. The STEM Education Coalition, for example, aims to ensure STEM education remains a national priority, while the Intel Foundation works at a more grassroots level by developing and funding programmes that will help to advance STEM education and jobs. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Canada’s Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, concludes the issue by discussing Canada’s initiatives to boost innovation and strengthen its economy. As ever, do not hesitate to contact us with any feedback, subscription enquiries or proposals for our next edition. Enjoy the issue!

REBECCA TORR

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INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION CONTENTS 12 9 PROJECTS INSIDE 84 56 48 36 ANALYSIS 108 105 102 96 93 90 87 81 78 75  72 68 64 59  53 50 45 42 39  33 30  27 21  18 15  TOWARDS CLASSROOM CULTURE HUNT &LOCKWOOD-COOKE GENETICS SOCIETYOFJAPAN CO-SUMMIT 2013 CLOSING THESTEMGAP INTEL FOUNDATION HOMELAND METROPOLITAN MISSIONS TRANSATLANTIC POLICYDIALOGUE A GAMEOFGIVEANDTAKE A BALANCINGACT FOCUSED ONFRIENDS HEIGHTENED INTERESTS BUILDING RESILIENCE COTTONWOOD CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS IN AIRCRAFT MORPHING CANADIAN CLIMATE CHANGE PLANETARY SYSTEMEVOLUTION A CHANGEINATMOSPHERE MITEP EMPOWERING TEACHERSTOCONDUCTSCIENCE OPENING DOORSTOABRIGHTFUTURE COLLABORATE TOINTEGRATE NEW RULESOFENGAGEMENT FROM LABORATORY TOCLASSROOM SCHLEMER, VANASUPA &BURTON CONNECTED CLASSROOMS ENGINEERING BRIGHTERFUTURES LEARNING CONCEPTS ANDREASONINGFORCALCULUS HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT SCIENCE FOSTERING ABRIGHTFUTUREFORCOMPUTER TEACHING WITHENERGY BARGER PREPARING ANEWGENERATIO N THIS ISSUE SEIDEL CARLSON DIVERSITY INSTEM OMMI XI

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WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 3 REGULARS 4 IN BRIEF 38 SUBSCRIBE 62 RESEARCH ROUNDTABLE: PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN STEM EDUCATION 71 PIONEERS OF SCIENCE: MAE CAROL JEMISON 111 COMMUNITY 112 THE LAST WORD: INNOVATION IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO, CANADA RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

6 TEACH FOR ALL Eradicating educational inequality across the globe is at the heart of Teach For All’s activities. Co-Founder and CEO Wendy Kopp discusses her motivation for establishing the organisation, its key initiatives to improve STEM education and the vital importance of collaboration

24 STEM EDUCATION COALITION The Coalition’s primary aim is to promote policies that improve STEM education in the US. Executive Director James Brown provides an insight into the obstacles facing STEM education, initiatives needed to engage young people in STEM learning and how it works with policy makers to address such issues

99 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA The Society has been promoting learning and research in the arts, humanities and the natural and social sciences ever since it was established in 1882. President Dr Graham Bell tells how the RSC is supporting STEM education, as well as its plans to establish a College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

WANT MORE INFORMATION? To find out how you can feature in International Innovation, please contact Nick Bagnall: [email protected] For more information about the contributors in this issue: www.teachforall.org www.stemedcoalition.org www.rsc-src.ca

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Topping up fluid intelligence

A study of 1,400 eighth-graders in Boston’s public schools reveals that even when standardised test scores go up, fluid intelligence remains unaffected

Researchers from the Massachusetts intelligence, accounting for 24 and 34 Institute of Technology, Brown University per cent of variations in English and and the Center for Education Policy mathematics scores, respectively. In tests Research at Harvard University, USA, that measure fluid cognitive skills, it has have found that although schools can been found that differences in schools have improve how their students score on no significant impact on scores. standardised tests, they have little impact on fluid intelligence. The researchers will continue to track the student cohort in their academic lives, and Fluid intelligence is a measure of a student’s are also initiating a new study designed ability to think logically and solve abstract to measure how standardised test scores problems. The standardised tests that are and cognitive abilities influence college commonly used in schools, however, are attendance and graduation levels of high designed to measure ‘crystallised intelligence’ school students. In the meantime, they – the knowledge and skills acquired in school. hope that educational policy makers will introduce more practices aimed at Investigators found differences in schools developing fluid intelligence through have a significant impact on crystallised school curricula.

Nature versus nurture

Differences in educational achievement could be more genetic than environmental, according to researchers of a UK-wide study

Research from King’s College London The study’s authors emphasise that these suggests that students’ exam performance findings do not imply that educational is more heavily influenced by genetics achievement is genetically predetermined or than external influences such as teachers, that environment does not have a significant schools or family environments. influence, but instead highlight that increased recognition of children’s inherent Investigators compared the General predispositions to learning may positively B Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE impact their education. “Whilst these findings – compulsory nationwide exams that have no necessary or specific implications C occur at the end of compulsory education) for educational policies, it’s important to results from over 11,000 pairs of identical recognise the major role that genetics plays in and non-identical 16-year-old twins. children’s educational achievement,” explains They found that in the core compulsory senior author Professor Robert Plomin of subjects (English, mathematics and the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College science), genetic differences account for London. “It means that educational systems an average of 58 per cent of differences which are sensitive to children’s individual in scores. Science subjects also appear to abilities and needs, which are derived in part be more heritable (58 per cent) than the from their genetic predispositions, might humanities (42 per cent). improve educational achievement.”

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4 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION IN BRIEF

From STEM to STEAM

A new project in Houston, Texas, USA is investigating whether injecting more art and creativity into STEM education will attract and produce better quality scientists, able to solve problems in a variety of ways The University of Houston College in the process of evaluating the effects of an artist is painting, he [sic] is trying to of Education Urban Talent Research integrative afterschool programme run by solve a problem – how to express what is Institute is running a project to the Children’s Museum of Houston. “There is being felt. He experiments with colours, introduce more creativity into STEM not a unanimous consensus on what STEM is technique and images the same way a education. It is hoped that this will not and there is little research on what it means scientist or engineer experiments with only attract more students to the field, to support STEM,” Young asserts. “There energy and signals,” he elaborates. but also produce more well-rounded, is more than one way information can be “Creative thinking and problem-solving high-quality graduates. taught, just like there is more than one way are essential in the practice of maths and that problems can be solved.” science. Incorporating art into maths and The Science, Technology, Engineering, Art science will not only help students become and Mathematics (STEAM) project is being Young places particular value on the more creative and better problem solvers; led by Jay Young, a PhD student and former usefulness of creative endeavours as it will help them understand maths and high school maths teacher. He is currently problem-solving exercises. “When an science better.”

MINUTE REPORT

EARLY NUMERACY SKILLS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT PRESCHOOL ADVANTAGE New research from Michigan State University A study of over 14,000 fifth-graders in the Case Western Reserve University has and Indiana University has revealed that US has revealed that students who only just found that access to high quality preschool children as young as three have a greater met the minimum entry requirements for education significantly increases children’s understanding of multi-digit numbers and their school’s gifted and talented programme readiness in language, maths and logic. This is place value than previously thought, and may performed no better in standardised tests especially true for at-risk children, with those therefore benefit from earlier and more direct than their academically similar peers who did who initially scored below the 25th percentile teaching in maths. not qualify for the programme. This suggests in standardised testing showing gains up to that learning alongside stronger peers does four times greater than those who began the not necessarily enhance performance. study as high achievers.

SOUND BODY, NEXT GENERATION IPADS BOOST HEALTHY MIND SCIENCE STANDARDS SCIENCE LEARNING

Individuals who exercise regularly have The US National Research Council Researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian enhanced creative thinking abilities, has recommended that new types of Center for Astrophysics, USA, have research at the University of Leiden in assessment are introduced to measure demonstrated that iPads and other The Netherlands suggests. Researchers student learning following the introduction tablets can significant enhance student measured participants’ divergent and of the Next Generation Science Standards learning when used to demonstrate convergent thinking skills using a remote (NGSS), to recognise the growing emphasis challenging scientific concepts such as associates test, and found that people on depth of scientific understanding and astronomical scale. Just 20 minutes of who exercise regularly (at least four times ability to integrate core content with iPad use significantly improved student a week) appear to outperform those who science and engineering practices over pure comprehension where traditional classroom do not. factual learning. instruction yielded no benefits.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 5 ANALYSIS: EXCLUSIVE

Wendy Kopp, Co-Founder and CEO Teach For All

A rising tide for education

Every child should have the basic human right to an education; however, in many regions this is not always realised. Teach For All works globally with an extensive network of partners and countries to fulfil its mission to train future leaders in the education sector and to ensure children around the world are given the learning opportunities to which they are entitled

6 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS: EXCLUSIVE

Teach For All works to eradicate the systemic, global issue of © NOAH SHELDON educational inequality. Why is this important?

Education has the power to transform and improve lives, communities and entire countries – this gives us hope and fuels our work. Yet across the world – in countries at all stages of development – socioeconomic background still largely dictates educational outcomes. This takes a massive toll on families, communities, countries and collective global welfare. It’s no coincidence that repression, unemployment and terrorism thrive where education does not. In today’s interconnected world, where our economic prosperity, public safety and environmental sustainability are linked, low educational levels and big educational disparities affect us all.

What inspired you to start Teach For All, and how has your professional background contributed to the organisation’s rapid development?

I met many inspiring social entrepreneurs who discovered Teach For Educational inequality: the facts America or Teach First in the UK and were determined to address the gap in educational opportunity in their own countries. They were looking for Kopp explains how educational inequality differs support to recruit and develop their nation’s most promising future leaders, from country to country and so the founder of Teach First and I created Teach For All in 2007. Educational inequality is pervasive all over the world – in rich and As CEO, I oversee the growth and development of our global network, poor countries alike. In China, children born in poor rural regions which works to increase our partners’ impact. That means extensive have a 5 per cent chance of going to college, compared to 80 per travel! I visit our partner organisations worldwide to better understand cent for urban children; this looks similar to the US, where fewer their educational concerns and how they are addressing them. Along with than 10 per cent of low-income children graduate from college our team, I ensure that we’re doing all we can to facilitate learning and compared with 80 per cent of children who are born in the top communication across the network. economic quartile. In India, only 10 per cent of children complete high school. In Peru, children from the lowest income quintile Leading Teach For America for over 20 years instilled in me a deep respect average seven fewer years of schooling than children from the top for the social entrepreneurs pioneering these organisations and has given income quintile. Poor children often have more in common with me some understanding of the challenges they face and the support they peers in other countries than wealthier children in the same town, need. While I’ve brought some experience in how to start and scale an which indicates that we can share solutions across borders. organisation, Teach For All is a completely different enterprise with its own set of challenges. Most people intuitively understand the need to improve education in their own country; it’s much more difficult to convince them to invest in improving education globally. platforms such as online learning modules and open-source textbooks designed for both teachers and students. Are you working to strengthen STEM education? If leadership is the core solution to transforming educational systems, Teach For All programmes aim to recruit and develop maths and science what more can be done to implement this into the relevant sectors? teachers, and foster their ongoing leadership as alumni working for broader How does Teach For All empower potential leaders to improve the curriculum and teacher training that will strengthen STEM education educational system and challenge educational inequity? overall. Teach For Sweden, for example, places teachers exclusively in STEM subject areas, and programme applicants are required to have at least half Educational inequity is a deeply systemic problem in nature. To solve it will of their university credits in math, technology or science. Our partners in require strong leadership at every level of our education system – from New Zealand and Australia also recruit a large percentage of participants classrooms to whole schools and school systems – as well as every level of to teach STEM subjects – the majority of Teach First NZ and 42 per cent of policy and across sectors. Successful teaching in high-need communities Teach For Australia fellows. is the foundational experience for committed and informed educational leadership and advocacy. So for the sake of the students growing up today, Teach For America has worked in partnership with STEM organisations such and for the pursuit of long-term system change, our partners invest a great as The Amgen Foundation and NASA’s Education Program to ensure more deal in potential leaders, providing their participants with two years of than 30 per cent of its members are secondary STEM teachers – compared intensive teacher training and professional development. They also offer to 12 per cent in the teaching field nationwide. Teach First UK partnered ongoing support for programme alumni, who continue working for change with the BP Foundation in 2013 to recruit additional science teachers in both inside and outside the system. London’s most high-need communities and to fund a Leadership Officer to help these teachers to set goals that exceed national expectations. Teach Importantly, between 60 and 70 per cent of the teachers across our For India is pursuing an online training portal that’s accessible to public network commit to long-term careers in education. At the same time, it’s school teachers, enabling professional development in maths and science – also crucial for some of them to take their conviction and insight into fields and other subjects – to impact far beyond programme fellows. like policy, medicine and even business.

In addition, Teach For All alumni in the UK, Australia, Spain and Latvia Could you discuss some of Teach For All’s main achievements? are engaged in social enterprises, promoting STEM education on digital Today, thousands of our teachers are inspiring students to take ownership of their education and grow their academic abilities, character strength and self- advocacy skills – opening the door to greater opportunity. Programme alumni often go on to lead the charge for educational equity in their countries, becoming veteran teachers, principals, policy makers and civic leaders.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 7 ANALYSIS: EXCLUSIVE

Through Teach For All, we are seeing how deeply the model resonates across diverse contexts. Our partners are attracting many of their nation’s most promising graduates. Early independent evaluations show positive impact in classrooms; for example, preliminary results from a Columbia University four-year longitudinal study on Teach For India suggests that Fellows have a more significant impact on their students than current teaching interventions. Additionally an Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)-funded study showed that Enseña Chile teachers have a positive impact on their students’ academic, behavioural and socioemotional outcomes. Not only are most alumni across the network staying within education, we’re also seeing them exert the kind of leadership and entrepreneurship witnessed in the US and UK.

What can be learned from educational practices in other countries?

So much! Thanks to global surveys like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), we have more information than ever before about what distinguishes the most successful classrooms, schools and school systems globally. Top-performing, fast-improving countries embrace International importance high standards for students by fostering critical thinking, investing in teacher development and committing themselves to equality by providing Teach For All’s global reach is key to their success, disadvantaged students with more support. as Kopp outlines Significantly, Shanghai – which has topped worldwide rankings in recent Our organisations operate in 32 countries on six continents – years – has embraced a global approach to education – a so called ‘open from Austria to Pakistan, Malaysia and New Zealand. We benefit door’ policy. They encourage their educators to travel the world, to see tremendously from the fact that this model magnetises such what was working elsewhere and bring back those practices to Shanghai. incredible hearts, minds and souls in such diverse cultures. As a result, we see real innovation across the network. For example, Teach How significant is collaboration and interdisciplinarity to your work? For India influenced the way Teach For America and Teach First train What can be gained from taking such an approach? their teachers because of the insights generated by Shaheen Mistri, Teach For India’s founder who brought 17 years of experience working Collaboration is indispensable, not just for Teach For All, but for all to with children in Mumbai and Pune slums. Innovations spread from succeed in this new global age of education. As I recently wrote in the Wall organisation to organisation, and now we’re seeing the pioneering Street Journal, we must stop thinking of education as a zero-sum game innovations of programme alumni spread from place to place as well. (ie. if China is up, the US is down) and realise that we all have a stake in whether children across the globe receive a quality education. A rising tide lifts all boats – and so we must work in the same way. Teach For All’s social The promise of this model can be seen in the US where Teach For America entrepreneurs are collaborating and adapting daily. For instance, Teach For has been operating for nearly 25 years. Today, the programme attracts All alumni in Mumbai, London and Santiago are pioneering new schooling 60,000 applicants a year and fields more than 11,000 teachers across 48 models designed to meet the extra needs of low-income students, inspired urban and rural regions. Rigorous research shows that these teachers are by learning from and working with leaders of high-performing charter having a positive impact on the success of their students. At the same schools in the US. time, Teach For America has produced 32,000 alumni – two-thirds of whom are working in full-time education. Across the country, Teach For What is your vision for the future? America alumni are exerting entrepreneurial, student-focused leadership that is making a huge difference. As one indication, the recent results of We picture a world where Teach For All partners in virtually every country the National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that Tennessee are channelling talented and committed leaders towards expanding and Washington, DC, made more progress in the last two years than most educational opportunity. We envision these leaders innovating and states have in the last 10. Teach For America alumni served as the state spreading new solutions in their countries and sharing them across borders, commissioner of education and the schools chancellor, respectively, and thus fuelling an ever-accelerating global movement for educational in many other roles throughout the leadership teams and ranks of the excellence and equity. reform efforts.

Similarly, Teach First, founded in 2002, is today the largest graduate recruiter in the UK, providing over 2,100 teachers in nine regions across England and Wales, with over 2,600 alumni – more than 74 per cent of whom remain in education. www.teachforall.org

8 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Towards diversity in STEM PROFESSORS EMILY HUNT & PAMELA LOCKWOOD-COOKE

Professors Emily Hunt and Pamela Lockwood-Cooke have developed models for tailored support and learning that improve retention and graduation rates among women and minority students in STEM fields

education. We have received close to US $2.5 two years followed by a university degree in a million from the National Science Foundation STEM field. for Scholarships which has helped over 100 students obtain degrees in STEM fields. There Have you witnessed any significant are another 50 scholars being funded in the breakthroughs as a result of the programme? programmes now. We are using this money to recruit and retain students who might not Pass rates in gateway STEM courses such as otherwise have the opportunity to attend Calculus I and II, Chemistry and Engineering college or transfer from a two-year to a Statics that once were steadily at 60 per four-year course. The money also enables cent now consistently approach 80 per What prompted your interest in students supporting families to work fewer cent in learning community courses. These recruitment of underrepresented groups hours per week and so focus on a rigorous success rates have resulted in increased to STEM disciplines? STEM curriculum. first year retention in Engineering and across the STEM fields. When matched with We both grew up in the Texas Panhandle, a Along with providing financial support for historical students of similar demographics, historically dispersed and underserved region of students, we have used other engineering academic backgrounds and financial Texas and the US. The area is very rural and is education grants to develop academic challenges, students who enrol in the learning composed of a hard-working, family-orientated learning communities in STEM subjects that communities are retained in the STEM fields population. Our personal connection to this link two courses through co-enrolment. This at a 15 per cent higher rate. Also, close to 90 region and its people is strong – we are now educational model has helped to change the per cent of the students who have received raising our own families here. historic patterns of first-year retention in funding from the programme have been STEM at WTAMU. successful in retention and/or graduation. Through our experiences as females majoring Financial support when connected with in STEM fields (mechanical engineering and What barriers to STEM education do women social and learning supports, such as learning mathematics), we have become committed to and minority groups face? communities and mentoring programmes, helping others achieve their goals and dreams and provides a solid foundation for success. create a better future for their families. Also, as Women and minority students can feel mothers of daughters, we have a vested interest isolated in the STEM disciplines. Our learning Why is collaboration between faculty in creating STEM opportunities for women. community programme helps to alleviate this from different disciplines important to isolation immediately. Support is extended your programme? In 2008, the population of students majoring beyond the first year with faculty-student in STEM fields at West Texas A&M University and student-student mentoring programmes From a mathematics standpoint, usually (WTAMU) began to climb dramatically, that offer our students a successful image of the ‘bad guy’ in the STEM fields, with the particularly minority students. Our research themselves in the years to come. support of engineering and sciences faculty interest was prompted by the immediate need we can show the students why and where to address our new student population, who First-generation students from small rural mathematics is relevant to their degree. were going to face financial, academic and communities often face the challenge of social challenges majoring in STEM. deficient preparation for majoring in a STEM Working together in an integrated curriculum field due to lack of academic opportunities. across the STEM fields also increases students’ Could you briefly outline your initiatives Many choose to enter a community abilities to solve interdisciplinary projects. aimed at increasing the number of college prior to WTAMU. We have strong It is powerful and satisfying to see students academically bright, but financially needy, relationships with community colleges in apply physics, engineering and calculus to students obtaining degrees in STEM? our region, including articulation agreements collaboratively solve an engineering problem and procedures for reverse transfer; each that we have no doubt most could not We are both extremely committed to institution sharing the common goal of have solved had it not been for the learning raising money to help our students afford an helping our students to successfully complete community model.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 9 PROFESSORS EMILY HUNT & PAMELA LOCKWOOD-COOKE

Engineering success in STEM

A programme of research at West Texas A&M University has developed support systems that significantly improve the prospects for minority and female students undertaking four-year STEM degrees

THE PLAINS AND prairies of the Panhandle At the West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) includes popular titles Engineering Elephants in the northwest of Texas are sparsely in Canyon, Texas, over the last five years, and Designing Dandelions, that introduces populated, with most of the predominantly Professors Emily Hunt and Pamela Lockwood- key engineering concepts aimed at middle white residents concentrated in the cities Cooke have mounted a programme designed readers; Lockwood-Cooke is Professor of and towns. It is a vast rural area where most to increase the diversity of STEM students Mathematics and Director of the Attebury who have been born there remain. However, successfully graduating from the University. Honours Programme at WTAMU. Realising projections are that the population of the About 60 per cent of the students at that the profile of students in STEM courses Texas Panhandle, as with other regions WTAMU come from the Panhandle; more was changing, Hunt and Lockwood-Cooke of the US, will see significant growth in its than half are from minority groups and joined forces to provide support to those population of people of Hispanic origin over are the first generation in their families to students who needed help to maximise the next 15 years. attend university. Between 2007 and 2012, their chances of success: “Our students are despite the fact that student recruitment at paying for college without the assistance of The STEM workforce in Texas Panhandle WTAMU only increased by 11 per cent, the their parents in most cases, through loans is currently white and male, largely due number of students who elected to major in and jobs where they work over 30 hours per to comparative lack of engagement with STEM subjects rose by 46 per cent; of this week,” explains Hunt. STEM subjects early in girls’ education and population, 30 per cent were women and 35 a dearth of precedent minority success in per cent Hispanic. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STEM disciplines. There is therefore a need to create programmes that will attract, develop Hunt is Director of the School of Engineering Nearly half of all students in further and retain women and minority groups to and Computer Science at WTAMU and co- education enrol in two-year courses at these subjects. author of a book series for children that regional Community Colleges (CCs), and for many the decision to do so is based on the costs of four-year degree courses. About one-third of CC students then transfer to a four-year degree course. However, some are insufficiently prepared and find the first semester overwhelmingly difficult – known as ‘transfer shock’. However, if students persist they tend to go on to graduate at better rates than ‘native’ four-year students – at WTAMU, for example, the graduation rate of students transferring in from CCs is 30 per cent higher.

In 2006, the National Science Foundation awarded funding to Lockwood-Cooke and Hunt for the Increasing Numbers, Connections, and Retention in Science and Engineering (INCRSE) programme at WTAMU. INCRSE was designed to increase the quantity, quality and diversity of undergraduate students in STEM by providing both academic and social support to students recruited from CCs, so minimising transfer shock and improving the likelihood that they would persist with their studies.

Hunt and Lockwood-Cooke developed a recruitment and retention model which comprised four main components: strengthening relationships between WTAMU and CCs through both formal

10 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE GROWING GIRLS IN STEM OBJECTIVES • To increase the quantity, quality and diversity of students completing degrees in all STEM fields by providing academic, social and financial support to community college transfer Realising that the profile of students in STEM courses was changing, Hunt students majoring in engineering, computer and Lockwood-Cooke joined forces to provide support to those students science, mathematics and science • To continue to increase the quantity, quality who needed help to maximise their chances of success and diversity of engineering and mathematics students obtaining degrees and to improve the performance of currently enrolled students and informal means, hosting professional were asked to predict the horizontal and by encouraging and enabling academically development workshops for CC faculty and vertical hydrostatic forces on a submerged talented but financially-needy students staff, improving the quality of guidance on surface and establish their locations to KEY COLLBORATORS transfer and developing mutual articulation experimentally verify their calculation. The agreements for STEM programmes. The objective was to determine the students’ Pamela Lockwood-Cooke, Professor of effect was to substantially ease transition responses to the linked class approach. All Mathematics and Director of Attebury Honors Program, West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) and integration of CC students into four- reported that the experience was beneficial year courses – within two years, the number and had enhanced their understanding and FUNDING of CC students enrolled rose by 18 per cent application of engineering and mathematics: and new CC STEM transfers increased by tests showed significantly improved pass National Science Foundation – current award nos. 1060242, 1259458 22 per cent. Retention of transfer students rates in mathematics. Multidisciplinary also increased by 11 per cent, nearly 30 per learning communities were also shown to CONTACT cent up on previous numbers. Hunt and be a viable means of increasing first-year Emily M Hunt, PhD Lockwood-Cooke consider that improved student retention rates in STEM – and a vast Director and Professor relationships between WTAMU and CC majority of students indicated a wish to take faculties, which also led to unexpected further courses under the same model. School of Engineering and Computer Science opportunities for collaborations, were the West Texas A&M University chief enabler of this success. From these experiences, Hunt and Lockwood- Box 60767, Canyon Cooke point to the essentially difficult nature Texas 79016, USA of planning and synchronisation from the A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH T +1 806 651 5330 faculty perspective, but also the benefits E [email protected] Problem-based learning melds theory with to the students in terms of reinforcing practice but is rarely applied to engineering their appreciation and practice of analytical EMILY HUNT joined the College of Agriculture, curricula because complex engineering conceptualisation, problem solving, critical Science and Engineering at WTAMU in 2005. problems take a long time to solve and thinking, and importantly, team work She received BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees subsequent assessment of students’ and communication. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas understanding poses logistical problems. Tech University in 2001, 2002 and 2005, Hunt and Lockwood-Cooke circumvented The researchers are currently involved in two respectively. Hunt teaches primarily in the these limitations through the notion of other projects, one of which aims to recruit thermal fluid sciences including fluid mechanics dividing a large engineering problem into financially needy students to four-year STEM and thermodynamics. She is the author of discrete smaller problems which could be courses, retain them through a mixture of Nanostructured Metallic Alloys: Synthesis, solved using an engineering, mathematics types of support throughout and provide Properties, and Applications and the popular or physics approach. Faculty from the three incentives for them to excel by extending the children’s books Engineering Elephants and disciplines would integrate these smaller community learning model to integrating Designing Dandelions. Hunt’s research interests problems into their teaching, and students mathematics and engineering disciplines. The include energetic/explosive material reactions would work together on the big problem in other follows up on the CC transfer approach and synthesis, high-speed infrared imaging, multidisciplinary groups. At the end of the to enable the best and brightest students to and engineering education and assessment. project, all faculty and students would then persist with a four-year course. She currently holds two patents for work in convene to examine the results. developing novel nanostructured materials. Lockwood-Cooke and Hunt are also PAMELA LOCKWOOD-COOKE joined the In one project, for example, students in linked embarking on a mixed methods collaboration College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering classes were assigned the problem of building, with Dr Aaron Hunt from the Education in 1999. She received a BSc in Mathematics analysing and testing the motion of an air- Department at WTAMU to discover more from Texas Tech University in 1992 and a MSc pumped water-propelled rocket. They worked about what factors induce Hispanic students and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the in groups to outline procedures, develop a to enter STEM and so identify strategies university in 1994 and 1998 respectively. numerical model, and then design, construct to support them through to graduation. Lockwood’s research interests are in the area and test the end result. The final product was “The work is challenging, as we become of biomathematics. Recent projects involve launched at an end of term event, with great emotionally invested in the lives and futures the development of a model to determine success. In tests afterwards, the students in of our students. But it is a huge blessing to the affects of inbreeding on a predator-prey the linked classes demonstrated significantly have a career that has a direct impact on system, where the prey is hindered by inbreeding superior understanding of calculus theory students and families and transforms lives,” and using the Particle Swarm technique to and application. In another project, students reflects Lockwood-Cooke. find the optimal neural innervations required in each muscle in a biomechanical model to successfully reproduce a desired human movement. Lockwood recently accepted the position of Director of the Attebury Honors Program at WTAMU.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 11 @ Classroom culture DR CLARE BRETT Dr Clare Brett discusses how technology and social media have impacted the learning environment and helped to evolve distance learning programmes – the focus of her current research project and private documents (private layer), a wide range of software enabled you to smaller community area to share ideas progress with your work? (GRAIL community of other graduate students) and a fully public layer where I think these developments provide students could share their ideas with the considerable inspiration and support to my larger community. current work. The social media and gaming principles bring considerations of ease, The project lacked a combination of accessibility, motivation and transparency of technology tools to make the GRAIL use into design. design a functional reality and the social pervasiveness of online tools at the time. Graphic modes of data representation can allow Both of these are overcome in the PeppeR us to provide a wide variety of feedback to environment – my collaboration with Dr teachers on an as-needed basis and ultimately Jim Hewitt allows for rapid prototyping increase our formative feedback to students. opportunities and online tools are now much Quick indicators of support – a Facebook ‘like’ more embedded in everyday life. button, for example – allow social comments Could you introduce your latest study – to be made, thereby increasing the overall Powerful Environments for Peer to Peer Nevertheless, in GRAIL we developed social cohesion in the class. Students can create Education and Research (PeppeR)? an understanding of a number of useful profiles in PeppeR which are carried over into support tools for students. A lot of these each of their courses, allowing students to find At the heart of this educational research considerations are reflected in PeppeR and others with similar interests in a more organic initiative lies the role of interaction continue to inform its ongoing design process. way. I am sure this integration of gaming in learning. I want to understand how principles into learning environments will only collaboration and joint activity contribute To what extent have distance education/ increase in the future. to engaging in a common effort and shared learning programmes changed over language of learning and research. Secondly, the years? What has been a major highlight of the I aim to shed light on what these interactive project so far? experiences provide for graduate student Distance education has undergone a learning experiences and if online activities considerable transformation from its earlier The project has led to a new and exciting offer sufficient connectivity and engagement. model of correspondence courses, where way of conducting research. It is focused on people learned at their own pace by working continuous improvement that incorporates In my earlier efforts to develop online learning through a programmed set of materials. design principles from different social uses of environments I found that online and face- With the rise of the internet, distance technology (social media, gaming etc.) and to-face experiences were part of a coherent education courses have largely shifted to works iteratively with users (both teachers model in which online writing and research online-based courses. and students) on design and feature changes. practices were connected dialogically to the It also reflects more closely the pace of face-to-face events in the classroom, and The kinds of deep constructivist, rapid innovation in this area, but contributes individuals could receive support in either collaborative and discussion-based by bringing these innovations into the mode. By contrast, I noticed that students online courses that Dr Hewitt and I are educational sphere and encouraging us to who completed most of their coursework investigating in PeppeR are based on think about them from new perspectives. online remained less connected to the rest of social constructivism, where peer and the university. I hope that researching these teacher discussion is seen as a major patterns will allow me to create ways to tool in fostering student learning in engage them more centrally in their graduate these environments. This is important for experience in the institution. enculturation purposes because we can focus on understanding what features of Your earlier research involved developing the online context which support the Graduate Researcher’s Academic different aspects of engagement and Identity Online (GRAIL) project? How did ultimately enculturation into the this inspire your current work? academic community.

In GRAIL I was developing a three-layered How has the pervasiveness of social online community, consisting of RSS feeds media and gaming principles on a 12 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION DR CLARE BRETT

@

Learning about learning

A new collaborative virtual learning system developed by researchers at the University of Toronto is analysing how students interact with each other, which will provide data to improve the quality of online courses

EDUCATION CAN TAKE place in many different Hewitt created together. “Professor Jim Hewitt emotional dimensions and their role in learning. forms and environments, with new channels of is the computer scientist who carries out all the learning continually emerging. In recent years programming, and together we work on design,” With these factors in mind, the researchers will the advent of technologies, particularly in the Brett explains. “I also conduct a lot of the explore two main questions about distance Western world, has given rise to novel ways of professional development work with teachers learning: how do students interact with one teaching, learning and interacting. One form and instructors, as this is a significant part of another in private exchanges, and what is the of education which has been accelerating in my background experience.” Their skills mesh relationship between the socio-emotional popularity – spurred in large part by advances well for such a complex and multidimensional element of online interaction and learning? in technology – is distance education. In fact, topic, and it is not the first time they have joined Brett and Hewitt will explore these questions in 2011, between 10-15 per cent of all post- forces. PeppeR is a follow-on project from their using the PeppeR project, which consists of a secondary enrolment in Canada was for online previous endeavours including an initiative public discussion board, built-in private email courses, and registration increased at a faster called Graduate Researcher’s Academic Identity system, private chat, calendar, resource area, a rate than those taught face-to-face. The most Online (GRAIL). In this project, Brett created a suite of integrated analytic tools that provide obvious benefit of distance learning is that the web service and virtual community that allowed the researchers with feedback for teachers and classroom is brought to the student, providing students in online courses to develop and share students, and data for hypothesis testing. The access to those who in the past might not have ideas, manage resources and collaborate with environment allows the researchers to study been able to access education due to family/ each other. Although GRAIL is no longer an online interactions and carry out controlled work commitments or travel constraints. active project, the tools and lessons learnt have experiments on the effectiveness of different been transferred and applied to PeppeR. online designs. Information is also collected However, despite these advantages, students offline, such as through student and faculty enrolled in distance education courses interviews and questionnaires. CLOSING GAPS IN UNDERSTANDING often lack involvement in their university’s community. It can be challenging for these This latest project is a five-year study that will SCAFFOLD LEARNING students to integrate with a group of people see researchers exploring the role of interaction who they may never meet in person and are in learning. It is an area that can be difficult The project will investigate a number of research potentially hundreds or even thousands of to study, in particular for distance learning strands, including assessment tools to support miles away. Through an ongoing educational students, since most of their exchanges with student feedback, the role of instant feedback research initiative, Drs Clare Brett and Jim other students and teachers take place via email tools, linking and its contribution to student Hewitt at the University of Toronto, Canada, are or other private interactions. As a result, the interaction, online tools to scaffold student looking to change the way distance students relationship between these private exchanges learning, the use of public and private messaging interact with each other as well as their larger and learning within collaborative contexts is and social factors to support community university community. still unclear. Moreover, even though a number development. Brett is currently focusing her of studies on the subject have taken place in the attention on two areas in particular, the first Their current project, Powerful Environments for past, the focus has mainly been on the cognitive being the role of re-reading in online discussion. Peer-to-Peer Education and Research (PeppeR), dimensions of online interactions. Brett and “We have found patterns or clusters in the revolves around an open, collaborative learning Hewitt’s project will address these gaps in amount people write, read and re-read, and we system by the same name, and which Brett and understanding by investigating the socio- are investigating – using interviews as well as WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 13 INTELLIGENCE BRINGING RESEARCH APPRENTICESHIP The PeppeR project allows the ONLINE: RECONCEPTUALIZING GRADUATE DISTANCE EDUCATION researchers to study online OBJECTIVES interactions and carry out • To design educational software that fosters 21st Century skills controlled experiments on • To provide a web-based collaborative workspace where learners can engage in in- the effectiveness of different depth inquiry online designs • To offer a variety of specialised knowledge building features and social networking tools that support learners of all ages in their efforts to share information, identify key ideas and progressively work to improve those ideas KEY COLLABORATORS Professor Jim Hewitt, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) PARTNERS University of Toronto, Canada online data – how students think about the role environment in the process – possibly having FUNDING of these behaviours and how they contribute to specific interfaces for particular groups”. Despite Social Sciences and Humanities research Council their learning,” she explains. “This would allow these challenges, the researchers are in a prime of Canada (SSHRC) us to design and think about online teaching in a position to adapt – the system was developed more complete way.” by Hewitt and can be quickly changed and Canada foundation for Innovation, New Opportunities Award (CFI) updated as required. Secondly, the role of private versus public CONTACT areas of communication is being explored, The collaborators have high expectations for Clare Brett, PhD which was also a facet of GRAIL and has been their work and transforming the perception and Associate Professor and Associate Chair, a longstanding interest for Brett. A number nature of online learning: “The goal we have set Graduate Studies of features have been built into PeppeR that for ourselves is not simply to achieve a rough Department of Curriculum, Teaching and allow for both private and public exchanges parity between online and face-to-face courses, Learning between students and instructors, such as but to find ways to surpass traditional courses 11-134, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education entries and private replies, which can later in terms of quality and impact, and to do so in (OISE) be made public when the user decides to ways that allow all students to succeed”. Indeed, University of Toronto share. However, the system defaults to public the skills and experience possessed by Brett and 252 Bloor Street West Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V6 settings, with the idea that this will broaden Hewitt in the area of online learning, combined Canada communication among the entire community. with the already popularity of PeppeR as seen “Each space allows particular kinds of learning in its large number of users, certainly provide a T +1 416 978 0132 and experiences to occur,” Brett notes. “Having promising start for this ongoing venture. E [email protected] these flexible options can help students to grail.oise.utoronto.ca/blog/clare scaffold their learning experiences, making www.pepperproject.ca things public as they become comfortable and DR JIM HEWITT confident with them.” CLARE BRETT is Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in the Department of Curriculum, FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Teaching and Learning at OISE, University of Toronto, and Associate Professor in the area PeppeR is currently in use by over 1,200 of education and knowledge technologies. She undergraduate and 600 graduate students has been involved in research in the design of blended learning environments in classrooms at the University of Toronto. It is hoped that for the last 20 years, and has been teaching in in the coming years PeppeR will be used by the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and even more students, covering a wide variety of Learning at OISE since 2002, offering many fully subjects, education levels and class sizes across online graduate courses. the University.

JIM HEWITT is Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Developing PeppeR to accommodate new users Learning at the OISE. His research focuses on is an exciting endeavour for the two researchers, the educational applications of computer-based but one that will require a substantial amount technologies, with a particular emphasis on of time and commitment, as Brett explains: “We discursive processes in collaborative learning will need to support instructors and students in environments. Hewitt’s publications include multiple subject areas with a variety of views studies of thread development in asynchronous distance education courses, sociocultural on the role of the online environment, and support for knowledge building in elementary we will likely make substantial changes to the science classrooms, and uses of multimedia and online technologies for teacher development.

14 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Preparing a new generation of technicians DR MARILYN BARGER Dr Marilyn Barger discusses her involvement and interest in technical education, and how her current work bridges the gap between industry and the classroom How was the Earning my PhD, having a number of different technical material at our workshops. Furthermore, Florida Advanced jobs in sciences and technologies, and then they contribute to our outreach efforts financially Technological teaching those skills to students of engineering with cash donations, by visiting school classes, Education Center allowed me to see the importance of STEM as hosting students and supporting tours of their (FLATE) founded? an integrative approach to studying engineering. facilities, and participating in our STEM-driven STEM, if taken as it is meant to be defined, helps summer camps. They work with us to review and/ The National to put all science and mathematics into context. or develop curriculum content for courses and Science Foundation Contextual learning makes facts and figures programmes. In addition to these discrete roles, (NSF) Advanced relevant and meaningful to students. Making a we call on individual partners regularly for their Technological subject real and worthwhile is a very important expertise and guidance in organisational matters, Education (ATE) programme solicits proposals vehicle that encourages students of all ages to technical expertise, access to resources, and many for centres and projects that focus on technician engage and become excited about learning. other areas. Our industry partners are essential to education for advanced and emerging the fabric of who we are. technologies in two-year (Associate Degree Is partnering with industry important to level) education. Together with my two co- the success of FLATE? To what extent has FLATE influenced Principal Investigators – Dr Richard Gilbert from technician education since it began? the College of Engineering at the University Partnering with industry is the essence of of South Florida and Bradley Jenkins from St FLATE’s existence. It is extremely important FLATE is a bold breath of fresh air that, as an Petersburg College – a planning grant for a NSF that the technical curriculum we develop for organisation, created large scale but portable Regional Center of Excellence was submitted. associate degrees and certificates and high models. For instance, FLATE’s curriculum In 2004, this first attempt was awarded full school programmes align with the needs of model has transformed the way the Florida funding as an NSF ATE Regional Center and, industry. Additionally, we work very hard to Department of Education governs the AS with two successful subsequent proposals. We keep industry engaged in our professional Engineering Technology degree. FLATE’s are currently funded through 2015. development workshops for educators as well outreach model, Made in Florida, blends all as our outreach and recruitment activities. of the elements and tools needed to bring What is the Center’s overarching vision? parents, legislators, educators, manufacturers, Industry partners help FLATE in a number of ways. and school administrators up to speed on the We aid technical education programmes For instance, they serve on FLATE’s National value of manufacturing in their communities. by offering support in three broad areas: Visiting Committee (NVC), work as part of the The professional development programme has curriculum reform and development, outreach Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC) as well as the produced a community of practice model for and student recruitment, and educator advisory committees of our educational partners the faculty in the Florida State College system professional development. To date, FLATE has around the state. They support professional along with their industry partners that are received national recognition and awards in development by attending and presenting involved in engineering technologies. these three areas.

Could you define your role as Principal Investigator (PI) and Executive Director of FLATE?

PI is the term used by the NSF for the person who is directly responsible for grant deliverables as well as fiscal oversight of the funded project. It is also expected that the PI and the co-PIs have leadership roles in the project or centre, meaning that together they set the direction, pace, and focus of activities and resources. As Executive Director, I personally oversee the day-to-day activities and efforts of FLATE’s staff to ensure that we do the best we can to achieve our goals.

You have a PhD in civil engineering – what led you to a career in STEM education?

I have always loved school and learning. My PhD specialisation – environmental engineering – is grounded in chemistry, biology and physics so it was not a big leap for me to move into STEM education.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 15 DR MARILYN BARGER Manufacturing the future

The Florida Advanced Technological Education Center in Florida, USA conducts a vital role in building a skilled manufacturing workforce and raising the profile of the sector across the state and beyond

TECHNICAL EDUCATION, SOMETIMES workforce opportunities for students, and by supports a number of interrelated technologies known as vocational education, is a system aligning Florida’s educational programmes that all depend on a common core of technical of learning that focuses on a specific trade with the needs and requirements of industry. skills,” Barger highlights. “Identifying these or occupation. It prepares students for a Given the strong connection between technical technical core skills allows colleges to particular work environment, such as a career education and industry, FLATE has made a consolidate their introductory technical courses as a technician, technologist or nurse. In the great effort to include professionals in their to support and strengthen the various second- US, technical education is often provided by endeavours. “Our industry partners include year specialisation tracts.” By building up a two-year colleges, however, it is left to each working industry professionals, engineering set of core competencies, students have the individual state to determine exactly what the and STEM educators, technical professional option to apply their skills to other disciplines or structure of that education is and what degrees organisations and individuals as well as trades. This is a valuable asset as students enter are offered. university graduate students with experience the workforce, and has the potential to make in industry,” Barger notes. “Their participation them attractive to a wider spread of employers. Previously, in Florida, the lack of coordination is vital to keeping the connections real and An additional valuable aspect of the ET core is among the two-year colleges led to confusion meaningful for educators and students.” that it is in line with the Manufacturing Skills for employers, and students faced difficulties Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production when they wanted to transfer credits between Technician (CPT), a nationally recognised JOINING MINDS programmes that used different course names industry credential. Barger explains why this is and numbers. The need to reform the state’s FLATE successfully developed a state-wide a key benefit: “Today, anyone in Florida with a curriculum in order to create a consistent unified education system for manufacturing current MSSC CPT credential can articulate it for system to overcome these issues was clear, by first bringing together the faculty and academic credit to the ET degree at any of the and became one of the earliest targets for the managers of college programmes around the 14 colleges currently offering the degree”. Florida Advanced Technological Education state to review their curricula, taking into Center (FLATE). account state curriculum requirements. After 18 As part of FLATE’s curriculum reform goals, the months of workshops and collaborations with Center also established a programme of study for Led by Principal Investigator and Executive industry partners and the Florida Department high school students that is available in schools Director Dr Marilyn Barger, FLATE is a National of Education (FL DOE), a new degree plan was across the state. The programme prepares Science Foundation Regional Center of created. FLATE’s engineering technology (ET) students for the MSSC CPT before they enter Excellence in high-technology manufacturing. degree programme is now offered in half of a two-year college. This accelerated pathway Barger outlines FLATE’s overarching aim: “Our Florida’s 28 community and state colleges, and means that students can earn college credits vision is to be Florida’s leading resource for is used by the FL DOE as a model structure for before they complete their high school studies. education and training expertise, leadership, other technician education degrees. projects, and services to promote and support PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT the workforce in the high performance Indeed, it is the structure and organisation of production and manufacturing community”. The FLATE’s ET degree that has been central to its Complementing FLATE’s focus on curriculum Center is working towards this goal by providing success and widespread adoption. “The degree reform, the Center also concentrates its efforts on improving professional development opportunities for technical faculty. To do this, FLATE hosts a number of professional development workshops for secondary and college educators to address the key skillsets required by industry. The workshops are one way in which the Center ensures that technical faculty deliver content that is relevant to the constantly evolving workforce that their students will soon enter. “FLATE provides teachers the latest information as well as multiple opportunities to network and work with each other – to help keep them energised and excited about the important work that they do in technical education,” Barger adds.

FLATE also helps faculty stimulate awareness of manufacturing and the skills that are essential for the workplace by using its low cost high impact, classroom friendly hands-on game, known as The Toothpick Factory. Whereas the workshops are focused on technical educators, The Toothpick Factory is designed with students in mind. The inspiration for the game came from ENGINEERING industry professionals highlighting the need to TECHNOLOGY DEGREE better prepare students for working effectively PATHWAY DIAGRAM in team situations. Although teamwork is an important part of the students’ academic 16 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE FLORIDA ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION CENTER (FLATE) OBJECTIVES • To offer innovative best practices in curriculum, outreach, and professional development to the technician workforce needed to support America’s advanced technological industries • To provide exemplary industry partnerships, workforce opportunity and educational synergy throughout the state of Florida by connecting industry and workforce needs to targeted educational endeavours at all community and state colleges across the state KEY COLLABORATORS Dr Richard Gilbert, Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, University of South Florida • Bradley Jenkins, Associate Dean, activities, those activities do not emphasise all portal. The campaign’s website offers a wide Engineering Technologies, St Petersburg College of the soft skills needed to successfully operate variety of tools and information free of charge, PARTNERS in a manufacturing environment. The Toothpick as Barger points out: “There is a large selection Factory simulates a workplace environment of downloadable tools for industry professionals, Florida Department of Education (FL DOE) that requires operating as a manufacturing educators, and community members to use as • Workforce Florida • Florida State colleges engineering technology personnel • Florida team, thereby presenting educators with handouts, activities, and presentations which can manufacturers professional organisations • the opportunity to hone the students’ help users with their own outreach activities”. As Florida K12 school districts • Manufacturers communication, leadership, listening and team- part of the campaign, FLATE also supports Made Various government agencies building skills. Barger explains how the game in Florida summer robotics camps for middle and achieves this: “Using a simulated factory to high school students across the state. Through FUNDING make a simple product – customised toothpicks the campaign’s industry tours, FLATE has taken National Sciences Foundation – award no. – puts the students in a team with a particular over 6,000 students to advanced manufacturing 1204751 job with clear deadlines, so they can focus their facilities in Florida. CONTACT attention on team skills”. Although FLATE has mainly focused on Marilyn Barger, PhD, PE manufacturing education within Florida, the Executive Director REACHING OUT Center is preparing to reach out to other parts Florida Advanced Technological Education FLATE not only seeks to improve skills and of the country in the near future. “We want Center of Excellence opportunities for faculty and students already everyone to be aware of the good jobs and Hillsborough Community College Brandon immersed in the field, but also to reach out to great careers in the manufacturing sector at Campus potential students and the wider community a variety of levels, and that there are effective 10414 E Columbus Drive supported by manufacturing education. post-secondary educational paths that direct Tampa, Florida 33619 The central component of this goal is the students to these rewarding careers,” Barger USA Center’s Made in Florida outreach campaign, notes. By expanding its audience, FLATE will T +1 813 259 6578 which promotes manufacturing careers and be able to continue making a lasting impact on E [email protected] employment opportunities through an online technical education. www.fl-ate.org www.madeinflorida.org www.flate.pbwiki.com www.atecenters.org

MARILYN BARGER is the Principal Investigator and Executive Director of Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE). The Center serves educators and industry in Florida and is involved in outreach and recruitment of students, curriculum design and development, and provides professional development for STEM and technical educators. She earned a BA in Chemistry, a BSc in Engineering Science and a PhD in Civil Engineering and has over 20 years’ experience developing and delivering engineering-focused STEM curricula. Barger serves on national education panels and advisory boards; is a Fellow of the American Society of Engineering Education and a SME International Education Award winner; holds a licensed patent; and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 17 Teaching with energy

Demand for renewable energy technicians is increasing in South Carolina, USA. Principal Investigators Donna Elmore and Richard Murphy discuss their efforts to meet the training requirments of an emerging industry

by Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College What is your role within the project, and (OCtech), and this trend is only becoming what does this position entail? more pronounced as time goes on. The goal of our project is to address the quickly growing RM: As the co-Principal Investigator (co-PI), I demand for Renewable Energy Technicians in am responsible for interaction with the faculty South Carolina through the development of in specific programmes, ensuring that any a modularised Renewable Energy Certificate. materials developed are academically sound and This will be used by both credit and fit the goals and objectives for the programmes. continuing education students in appropriate I also work with the project manager on the technical college and university programmes, coordination of activities, student intern as well as in K-12 in-service and pre-service assignments and advisory committee meetings. Could you elucidate the background to your teacher education programmes. The modules The project manager is responsible for the latest project, which aims to address the created as part of the project provide day-to-day operations, assuring that all the growing need for more renewable energy students enrolled in existing programmes requirements are met for the granting agency – technicians in South Carolina? What were a credential that will allow them to work the National Science Foundation (NSF). the circumstances that led to its creation? in alternative energy fields, and add a ‘real world’ application to introductory lectures DE: The project manager also provides DE & RM: Renewable energy is opening new and laboratories. The project has, in addition, status updates to the PI; I serve as the PI and opportunities for economic growth and high provided awareness of alternative energy to handle general project oversight, assurance wage technician jobs within the region served the general public through various activities. of compliance with college regulations, the project budget, and direct interaction with NSF. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS DONNA ELMORE & RICHARD MURPHY INVESTIGATORS PRINCIPAL Could you provide an overview of the South Carolina eLearning System?

DE & RM: As part of our first NSF Advanced Technological Education project, Diverse Engineering Pathways, OCtech procured the eLearning platform. The platform is a web- based course delivery system that supports 1,000 concurrent users and has been expanded to support both credit and non-credit learners across the state. OCtech also uses the platform

18 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS DONNA ELMORE & RICHARD MURPHY

in conjunction with our FESTO modular production system (MPS) line, as well as the SC Mechatronics K-12 Pipeline Project to recruit Renewing the workforce high school students into the Mechatronics field. In our partnership with FESTO to expand Energy production in South Carolina is undergoing extensive change. the MPS production line, OCtech became the first FESTO FACT Centre in North America. A team of educators at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College is The Alternative Energy modules created for seeking to address this transformation by designing a new curriculum the Curriculum Infusion project will be hosted on the eLearning System and will be available focused on renewable and alternative energy to high schools and technical college partners across the state. SOUTH CAROLINA’S STATE economy has long project – and could therefore have a significant What feedback has the programme received been dependent on the production of energy – impact on South Carolina as a whole. Funded and does it have any wider applications? power generated using nuclear methods as well by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), as hydro and fossil fuels, has been second only the project has already been underway for two DE & RM: The project has been favourably to agricultural products in terms of its economic years – and in that time it has produced some received by peer groups and NSF programme importance. The advent of renewable energy interesting results. officers at the NSF ATE PI National Conference. has therefore had a large impact on society, College partners around the state have also industry and the economy, and these changes PLANNING THE PROGRAMME expressed interest in the programme, especially have in turn called for the revision of training those who will use it as a model for alternative and educational curricula. The Curriculum Infusion project uses a number energy offerings to serve the demand for of approaches to facilitate and promote trained personnel in the emerging alternative Particularly important is the new and growing curriculum change. Not only does the endeavour energy sector. need for technicians trained in dealing with aim to produce a 15-module alternative energy renewable energy systems and energy curriculum, but also to infuse renewable energy Do you have plans to develop or extend the efficiency. A wide range of employers, from content into 20 existing courses at and 12 programme in the future? the manufacturers producing components for current programmes at OCtech and South renewable energy technologies to the utility Carolina State University. The venture’s remit DE & RM: This project served as a basis for companies now engaged in wind, solar and also includes the provision of professional a recently submitted proposal under review biomass energy production, are looking for development on renewable energy for 225 by NSF. The proposed project will build upon technicians with these skills. As an energy- educators at a variety of levels from teaching and expand alternative energy activities focused state, South Carolina has a unique assistant to faculty member, as well as the for industry and K-12 partners. In addition, opportunity to play a leading role in the US definition of an educational pathway between OCtech is partnering with the research ‘energy renaissance’ – but without a skilled high school and university. Finally, the project universities in the state on a potential state- workforce to create, implement and maintain calls for the dissemination of this information to wide project in alternative energy. renewable energy systems, it will be unable to relevant institutions throughout South Carolina. capitalise on its unparalleled position. How are you ensuring that information The content used to produce the learning concerning the programme reaches the modules was carefully selected to best serve the CHANGE FOR CAROLINA parties that it may benefit? regional workforce. Based on South Carolina’s At present, the prevalence of renewable energy current reliance on private renewable energy DE & RM: Information about project activities systems in South Carolina is predominantly systems, it was decided that the content would is available on the project’s website, which owed to the private installation of solar panels focus on photovoltaic systems, solar collector is hosted by OCtech, and has been shared and small wind turbine facilities – but the systems, wind turbines suited to private or with colleagues at the NSF ATE PI National growth of offshore wind and the increasing use small-scale industrial applications, battery Conference. Local media, including popular of fuel cells, electric vehicles and biofuel in the systems, grid-connected and stand-alone South Carolina newspaper The Times and automotive industry will expand the need for systems, applications of fuel cells and alternative Democrat and public service announcements technicians trained in the use of alternative energy in the automotive industry, and passive on a local radio station, have informed the energy in the near future. The time to alter the energy topics such as home insulation, building public about camps or K-12 student activities. training processes used to produce such a skilled design and efficient lighting. The curriculum was Event photographs have been posted through workforce, therefore, is now; as of autumn developed using a modular approach in order to social media on the OCtech Facebook page. 2009, South Carolina had 712,000 students at make it as flexible as possible; instructors are more than 1,000 K-12 schools across the state. free to cherry pick useful modules for insertion Are there any forthcoming events, Refocusing young professionals on the emerging into their courses as they choose. conferences or workshops related to this opportunities offered by alternative energy with programme that you would like to highlight? changes to the curriculum will be a crucial step EXCEEDING TARGETS in tapping this potential. DE & RM: During 16-22 February 2014 Excelling beyond its original objectives, the the College will host various on-campus In Calhoun and Orangeburg – two neighbouring programme has so far succeeded in completing programmes for middle school, high school counties in central South Carolina – this change 25 alternative energy training modules. and college students to celebrate Engineer’s has already begun to take place. One team Based on these modules, the team has also Week. Several alternative energy activities will at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College developed an entire certificate programme – be featured. (OCtech), which serves both counties, has and the modules can also be combined to allow undertaken an intiative to infuse renewable continuing education students to prepare for a energy information into the curriculum by nationally recognised certificate in alternative designing a flexible modular programme. This energy. Alongside the new curriculum, several programme will be of great benefit to local improvements have been made to OCtech’s on- students, but will also be communicated to campus energy park; these include a 2.5kw solar other technical colleges statewide as part of the array and two wind turbines. The programme

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 19 INTELLIGENCE The industrial applications of education are implicitly integral to this project, and CURRICULUM INFUSION: USING A collaborators with industry have therefore MODULAR AND ONLINE APPROACH been very important to its success. From South TO TRAIN RENEWABLE ENERGY Carolina Wind Turbines LLC to comprehensive TECHNICIANS AND K-12 TEACHERS alternative energy companies such as the BWE OBJECTIVES Group, OCtech maintains strong ties with a range of partners that can provide a valuable • To develop a 15-module renewable energy insight into the business world. The researchers curriculum also hope that the skilled workforce produced • To infuse renewable energy content into by the new curriculum will be a help to notable 20 existing courses and 12 programmes regional employers such as the Clemson at the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical OCtech Electrical Engineering Technology student studies solar panel performance using a Marcraft Inc. University Wind Turbine Testing Facility and College (OCtech) and South Carolina the South Carolina Electric and Gas solar farm State University alternative energy trainer. installations. Finally, government partners such • To provide professional development utilises Marcraft alternative energy trainers as the City of North Myrtle Beach and the South on renewable energy to 180 secondary provided by Southern Educational Systems to Carolina Energy Office have offered vital support teachers, 20 community college and serve students and local industry. in the development of the new programme. university faculty, and 25 teaching assistants The results of the project have been felt far THE HOMEWARD STRETCH • To define a 2+2+2 renewable energy beyond the OCtech campus, benefiting almost educational pathway from high school to 1,000 participants, including students and Despite the wide reach and excellent progress community college to university instructors. Two week-long alternative energy of their work, the OCtech team still has many • To disseminate the modules electronically camps – Amp it Up! and the High School plans for the final few months of the project. to South Carolina’s 16 technical colleges Student/Teacher Workshop – ran in the summer Although the modules are fully functional, and their service area high schools of 2013, engaging many participants in the 7th more work is needed to ensure they are user- and 8th grades, and high school students and friendly. For instance, the team plans to use KEY COLLABORATORS teachers, respectively. A project website was animation, narration and interactive elements Principal Investigator: Donna Elmore, created, and presentations were made to middle to make the curriculum more engaging, before OCtech and high-school student cohorts. The team also uploading the modules to the FESTO eLearning gave two presentations at the annual NSF-ATE PI Co-Principal Investigators: Richard system for wider access. The approval process Murphy; Dr James Payne, OCtech National Conference in Washington, DC. for the new certificate will also be completed. These final touches are very exciting for the FUNDING team and will hopefully make an important WORKING TOGETHER National Science Foundation – award no. contribution to the successful future of South 1104274 OCtech’s strong commitment to collaboration, Carolina’s energy industry. both with other educational institutions CONTACT and industrial partners, has been part of its Mrs Donna Elmore successful strategy when approaching this Vice President for Academic Affairs project. This networking takes place at all levels of education, from local school districts Orangeburg‐Calhoun Technical College 3250 St Matthews Road through to its university partner, South Carolina The results of the project Orangeburg, South Carolina 29118 State University. The team also maintains close USA links with the South Carolina Department have been felt far beyond of Education, as well as the Lower Savannah T +1 803 535 1202 Education and Business Alliance, which supports the OCtech campus, E [email protected] 10 area school districts. Principal Investigator for the project, Donna Elmore, explains that benefiting almost 1,000 DONNA ELMORE, Vice President for collaboration with each of these partners has Academic Affairs at OCtech, has over 35 participants, including years of experience in education. She has “expanded project activities and provided been a teacher, college dean, technology guidance and opportunities for students”. students and instructors director, superintendent and policy maker, as well as an educational consultant and a consultant for leading companies such as IBM and Edison Schools.

RICHARD MURPHY has over 20 years of industry experience in the area of process control. He has been Program Coordinator and Instructor for the Electronic Instrumentation Technology Program since 2008. In July 2013, Richard accepted the role of Dean of Computing, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing at OCtech.

20 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Fostering a bright future

for computer science & CARNELL SEIDEL

Professor Raimund Seidel and Dr Michelle Carnell talk about their highly integrated approach to training the next generation of experts for fundamental research and applicable information technology

Graduate School enables us to meet the in view of the generally high level of academic challenge of maintaining a unified culture of training in Germany across the board and a excellence in a growing environment. tendency to stay put.

How does the Graduate School of What makes the Graduate School so Computer Science provide an optimal attractive to young researchers? environment for pursuing doctoral studies in computer science? MC: We have a remarkable concentration of computer science expertise on the Raimund Seidel (RS) Michelle Carnell (MC) MC: At the top level, we have a fantastic Saarbrücken campus, which is unique in Can you provide an outline of the location in Saarbrücken with two Max Europe and compares favourably to the top research conducted at Saarbrücken Planck Institutes, the German Center for locations in the world. High-profile research Computer Science? Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), the Center for is carried out over a broad range of topics, Bioinformatics, the Intel Visual Computing offering countless possibilities for getting RS: Almost all areas of computer science Institute, the Center for Internet Security, into exciting research. We are proud of our are represented at the eight internationally Privacy and Accountability (CISPA), and international profile and the high number of recognised institutes that comprise the Multimodal Computing and Interaction excellent students already here. More than Saarbrücken Computer Science. We put Excellence Cluster, surrounding the Computer half come from over 30 countries outside of special emphasis on fundamental research, Science Department at Saarland University. Germany. Our programme is very flexible and carrying insights gained into applications All are internationally recognised in their can take various levels of previous preparation with serious impact. Our particular respective research areas and within a stone’s into account. We are able to provide full strengths cover algorithms, verification, throw of each other on this wonderful funding for all doctoral candidates. No student program synthesis and analysis, software campus. The Graduate School is able to in the preparatory phase needs to do a TA or engineering, computer graphics, visual harness the potential of all these institutes RA-ship in order to finance their studies. On computing, bioinformatics, systems, data and to the advantage of the individual student, top of that, the cost of living in Saarbrücken is knowledge engineering, security and artificial given the flexibility of its programme, which quite modest and its location on the French- intelligence. Saarbrücken Computer Science combines the strengths of the traditional German border gives it additional appeal, as is present across a wide range of industries German and North American systems. All it is easily accessible on the TGV connection and sectors, such as the new Airbus, modern faculty members adhere to the high ideals between Frankfurt and Paris. vehicles, security applications, genome regarding doctoral training and common analysis, HIV therapy and interactive responsibility for all doctoral students. What do you consider to be some of the browser-based graphics. As a consequence, a number of practical greatest achievements of students at the supporting elements have been implemented Graduate School of Computer Science? What role does the Saarbrücken to ensure good progress for students in all Graduate School of Computer Science play phases of their doctoral training. RS: It would be exciting to talk about any in this context? number of fascinating individual research Can you elaborate on how your programme results, but it is difficult to single out a MC: The Graduate School provides a common sits within the traditional German superlative achievement in such a large structure for the training of young researchers education system? environment spoiled with success at so in the various institutes, whose primary many levels. Our students are present with purpose, after all, is research, and doctoral RS: We incorporate the strengths of their own papers at all top international students are involved in most of the research. the traditional German system into our conferences, often winning best paper awards. The Graduate School thus constitutes an programme, which contributes to our They are regularly successful in obtaining important cohesive element for strengthening flexibility. The early entry option is a significant competitive fellowships and many go on to the close collaboration amongst the many cultural shift, meaning that it is not always faculty positions worldwide or to work with research units and the large number of easy to convince traditionally-minded students the most desirable companies in the field, if doctoral students and researchers. The to take advantage of this option – particularly they don’t happen to found their own.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 21 SEIDEL & CARNELL

International Innovation explores a selection of successful projects underway on the Case studies Saarbrücken Computer Science Campus

Restoring memories An important research topic being investigated on the Saarbrücken Computer Science Campus is the neurodegenerative illness Alzheimer’s. With the World Health Organization predicting the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s will reach one in 85 by the year 2050, there is a clear need to develop therapies for this disease and, as importantly, ways for diagnosing it early and easily, which is currently impossible, even in the years after onset. Saarbrücken researchers, along with Siemens Healthcare, have developed and applied sophisticated data analysis tools to identify a set of 12 so-called biomarkers that facilitate the recognition of Alzheimer’s. This involved the sequencing of data of 100 patients and considering 20 million molecules per patient. The new approach will now be validated in independent and larger cohorts and clinical tests. Diagnosis via a simple blood test may become reality in a few years.

A sign of the times With his research team, Professor Reinhard Wilhelm is investigating the accurate operation of the embedded computers controlling a wide range of technical systems. His project, ‘Timing Validation of Real-Time Systems’, is looking at the correct and timely functioning of systems that impact daily lives, such as those within cars, planes or medical instruments. In a typical scenario a control computer in a car is required to activate an airbag within 5 milliseconds after an impact is detected. The work, in partnership with spin-off company AbsInt, revolves around ensuring that this time limit is met under all circumstances. The work has deep theoretical grounding and relies on so-called static program analysis. This method and the tools realising it are in routine use in the automotive, avionics, space and medical-instruments industries. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has admitted it for certification of several time-critical avionics systems, and it has been used in the certification of the Airbus A380.

Virtual reality Eyesight allows humans to deduce very accurate models of their surroundings and thus perceive and recognise geometric relationships, movement or material characteristics. Another pioneering project on the Saarbrücken Computer Science Campus involves enabling computers to do the same using inputs from video cameras. Christian Theobalt, head of a Max Planck research group and Professor of Computer Science at Saarland University, says that over the last year they have made significant progress in their work to capture human motion in high fidelity using only conventional video cameras. Film and TV productions will benefit from these results. Also, biomechanics could be used to analyse the motions of athletes, or doctors could adopt it to measure the motions of patients using inexpensive cameras while simultaneously observing muscular deformation. Moreover, new procedures for how computers can be controlled via gestures will be possible.

Protecting privacy Numbers The recent rapid advances in the capabilities of laptops, tablets and mobile at a glance phones has seen a significant increase in concern about the amount of personal information contained on these technologies. Often users are unaware of the access others can gain to this information because of the Close to 200 researchers lack of effective security systems on the applications they are running. at the professorial A group of Saarbrücken Computer Science researchers has designed a or postdoctoral level pioneering application to use inline reference monitoring so that the collaborate with about security of the piece of equipment is integrated into application code. Known as AppGuard, it has been created to enable individual users to set 375 PhD students at a range of different security and privacy levels on applications. The success the Saarbrücken of AppGuard is evident by the fact that it has already been downloaded Graduate School of by over 1 million users, all of whom are looking to effectively protect their sensitive and personal data from abuse. Computer Science.

22 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE SAARBRÜCKEN GRADUATE Uniting postgraduate SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE OBJECTIVES The Graduate School encompasses all doctoral computer science research training and research in computer science on the Saarbrücken University campus, which is seen as Saarbrücken Graduate School of Computer Science’s uniquely rich research a common responsibility of the entire faculty. It aims to rank amongst the top computer science environment is supporting a highly successful international doctoral training doctoral programmes in the world by providing programme and producing award-winning information technology experts an internationally compatible programme in a uniquely rich and exciting research environment.

THE SAARLAND UNIVERSITY campus, located German and Anglo-American systems of doctoral PARTNERS near the German-French border, unites an training, ensuring compatibility with international Saarland University • Max Planck Institute impressive number of internationally renowned programmes. Graduate School Coordinator Dr for Informatics • Max Planck Institute for computer science research institutions, all Michelle Carnell observes that the PhD programme Software Systems • German Research Center cooperating towards research excellence in is similar to its North American counterparts, owing for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) • Intel Visual informatics. It is here that the Saarbrücken to its central admissions process, an early-entry Computing Institute Graduate School of Computer Science is able option and a curriculum of course requirements KEY COLLABORATORS to harness the expertise of close to 200 faculty alongside the introduction to research. However, members and senior researchers and the efforts of students are not required to have already found All faculty members and PhD students from 375 doctoral students to deliver some of the most a thesis topic or an advisor when they enter the Saarbrücken Computer Science advanced and practically relevant informatics School: “As a result, an important difference is FUNDING research in the world. Professor Raimund Seidel, that we can offer more flexibility and individual Chair of Theoretical Computer Science, explains assessment of requirements for students entering German Excellence Initiative (DFG), in addition that they have taken a novel approach to working the programme based on their particular academic to the multiple funding sources of all partners with doctoral students in which training is seen as background”. This, she says, is very attractive for CONTACT a common concern of all faculty members. This is many talented young students, who early in their realised through a number of measures, including careers cannot yet foresee the exact direction they Professor Raimund Seidel and the regular, faculty-wide evaluation of the progress will take, since computer science is such a rapidly Dr Michelle Carnell each candidate is making: “We want to provide the developing field. Saarland University best possible academic research training to the Saarbrücken Graduate School best budding computer scientists, on a par with the Each student receives individual support for finding of Computer Science best doctoral programmes in the world”. the area best suited to their interests and talents, Campus E1 3 as well as a matching advisor. The Graduate 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany All of the teaching is in English, and all doctoral School programme’s two-phase structure assists candidates receive full funding for the duration the matchmaking process. During the preparatory T +49 681 302-5523 of their studies. The ongoing research is phase students take an individually tailored E [email protected] internationally visible, addressing a vast range selection of course requirements. Seidel notes http://gradschool.cs.uni-saarland.de of computer science topics, including artificial that this means their students gain both academic intelligence, software systems and engineering, breadth and depth early on, giving them the RAIMUND SEIDEL pursued his graduate studies safety of real-time systems, information retrieval, necessary background for high-level research in in Canada and the US, obtaining his doctorate computational logic, machine learning and specific areas on one hand while promoting non- from Cornell University before moving on to a computational linguistics, to name just a few. specialised method and knowledge transfer on faculty position at Berkeley. He was appointed This leads to a broad range of individual research the other, which proves invaluable for cooperation to a chair in computer science at Saarland topics, from fundamental problems of informatics within Saarbrücken Computer Science’s rich and University in 1994 and has been the central to applications with real-world relevance. Some diverse research environment. Once students proponent for establishing an internationally of the studies have led to technology transfer in have completed a qualifying exam, they then competitive graduate school in Saarbrücken. highly relevant areas, such as computer graphics, move onto the dissertation phase of their PhD. MICHELLE CARNELL is the coordinator security, visual computing and bioinformatics. “During all stages of the programme, the support and programme manager of the Graduate Many of the PhD alumni now work for world- and monitoring of each candidate’s progress is School with a strong background in research leading multinational corporations, while the responsibility of the whole faculty, ensuring administration. After her undergraduate studies, others have founded their own information that no doctoral student is too isolated with she made the move from Canada to Germany to technology companies. “For many of our students, their research work nor excessively distracted pursue her PhD and has never regretted it. Saarbrücken was the first stepping stone to an with teaching and project work unrelated to their international career, both in academia and in dissertation,” Seidel explains. In this truly unique industry,” notes Seidel. environment, their approach is enabling the faculty members and students to foster a very A concerted effort of all faculty, the School bright future for the world of information and incorporates the strengths of both the traditional communication technologies.

Many of the PhD alumni now work for world-leading multinational corporations, while others have founded their own information technology companies

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 23 ANALYSIS: EXCLUSIVE Prioritising STEM education

James Brown Executive Director STEM Education Coalition

Creating a strong and dynamic STEM workforce that can successfully compete in the 21st Century workplace is an important priority for the Coalition. Executive Director James Brown discusses how the organisation is working with policy makers, and other stakeholders, to address STEM education needs at all levels

24 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS: EXCLUSIVE

Could you introduce the Coalition, highlighting its current objectives programmes to the changing needs of the modern workforce. None of and the reason for its inception? these are easily or quickly achievable goals, as the legislative process moves slowly, so we have a very long term outlook in our efforts. The STEM Education Coalition is a broad alliance of education, business and professional organisations from across the US that are Does the Coalition create or inform federal and state policy relating united in the goal of promoting policies to improve STEM education to STEM education? at every level. Our Coalition closely follows the development and evolution of policies across the Federal Government that seek to That’s one of our core missions. We try to make sure that the collective address the challenges our nation faces in educating the future STEM expertise and input of the STEM education community are reflected workforce. We believe STEM education must be elevated as a national in the policy decisions made by the Administration and Congress that policy priority as reflected through education reforms, policies to drive affect these issues. In this regard, we work with Members of Congress innovation and budgetary priorities. in both the House and Senate on a regular basis to ensure that they are well-educated on STEM policy issues and that the policies they consider How has the Coalition evolved over the past year? and promote are focused on the right goals. Effective policies to promote STEM education as a national priority should be bipartisan and We have continued to grow as a group and a movement and have evidence-based and must be backed by a strong and united community almost 600 members from across the country. Our Coalition’s of stakeholders and advocates in the business, professional, research Leadership Council – the group that helps guide our agenda and and education communities. activities – now stands at 34 members and has strong and diverse representation from every sector of the STEM stakeholder community. In what ways can STEM education ensure US competitiveness and Over the past year, we have also broadened our engagement into more economic success? How does the Coalition raise awareness of STEM areas of education and workforce policy. For example, we have become teaching, training, capacity and diversity as a national priority? highly engaged in supporting several STEM education proposals that were raised during the course of the major immigration policy debate STEM education is closely linked with our nation’s economic prosperity that occurred early last year. in the modern global economy, and strong STEM skills are a central element of a well-rounded education. Accordingly, STEM education must What are some of the challenges facing STEM education/educators? be elevated as a national policy priority as reflected through education How is the Coalition addressing these issues? reforms, policies to drive innovation and budgetary priorities. More precisely, our Coalition feels strongly that action on STEM education One of the biggest emerging topics in education is how the state policy should match the rhetoric on its importance. education departments deal with the implementation and rollout of new common core standards in mathematics. New science standards are also Our nation must expand the capacity and diversity of the STEM in the works, having been developed along a similar model a few years workforce pipeline to prepare more students for the best jobs that will behind the mathematics standards. These developments are changing keep the US innovative, secure and competitive. While the collected how educators teach mathematics and science – and engineering, which fields that make up STEM are clearly connected with future economic is included in the science standards for the first time. They are also growth and the job market for people with these skills is relatively strong, changing how technology will be employed in schools. All of these issues it is also important to point out that the STEM fields are not a monolith are creating renewed interest in federal education policies in the STEM – policies to strengthen the US STEM education pipeline must be flexible area, as Congress deals with proposals to reauthorise our major federal and adaptive to a rapidly changing educational and workforce landscape. education laws, many of which are long overdue for an overhaul. With whom are you collaborating both nationally and internationally? Which groups are most lacking access to STEM education and careers? The Coalition works with many different partners on US education The focus of debate around STEM education issues has shifted over the policies, including a variety of different state-based groups that are last five to 10 years from a focus primarily on the PhD-track scientists encountering STEM education challenges on the ground in their and researchers, to a much more well-rounded debate about how communities. Making sure we are well informed about the challenges the STEM fields permeate so many different aspects of the modern that educators, students, parents and employers are facing is essential workforce. STEM jobs are everywhere now. Technicians – from auto to being good advocates for education reforms. We also regularly mechanics and nurses to welders – now need indepth training in interface with institutions like the National Academy of Sciences and mathematics, engineering and technology to qualify for the best jobs the National Science Foundation, who are engaged extensively in in their areas. Literacy in the STEM subjects is becoming an accepted studying emerging challenges in STEM education. aspect of being an effective citizen of the 21st Century. This broadening of interest in STEM skills has renewed the debate about equity and The Coalition primarlily focuses on education in the US, but I also make opportunity in education at every level, especially when there are many it a priority to meet with a variety of international educators when groups that have disproportionately low representation in STEM fields, they visit the country and have them study our system. Through a such as women and minorities. programme at the US Department of State, I really enjoy meeting and talking with educators from around the world about the issues we face. The improvement of STEM learning is a core activity for the It’s amazing how similar our challenges are and how much we can learn Coalition. How are you achieving this goal? from one another.

Our focus is on improving federal and state policies that influence How do member organisations support your work? What message education. We continue to fight for elevating science alongside would you like to give to prospective members? mathematics and reading as a national priority in educational accountability frameworks. We are trying to work with the Obama The most important way our members support the Coalition is by Administration to chart a better direction for the use of more than lending their voices to amplify our advocacy efforts. The 30+ members $3 billion in federal funds directed at STEM education activities that are of the Leadership Council also provide financial support for our work scattered across more than 200 different programmes at over a dozen and contribute their expertise to the development of our policy agenda. federal agencies. We are also pushing for better alignment of education It is truly a privilege to be part of a group that is so incredibly diverse,

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 25 ANALYSIS: EXCLUSIVE

but also so united in the common goal of improving STEM education changes in education policy. While it is relatively easy to talk about to keep the country prosperous and secure. If you have an interest in the broad challenges we face around US competitiveness and STEM improving STEM education and strengthening our workforce, you should education, it is much harder to construct reasonable policy solutions. Our join our Coalition. We certainly need to bring more voices to the table if Coalition certainly appreciates this challenge and shares the responsibility we are to succeed. to develop and support policies that will give the country the vibrant and diverse STEM workforce it needs. What more can be done to engage children and youth in STEM learning? How might, for example, afterschool and summer Where are you focusing your research efforts in 2014? learning programmes attract more young students to participate in STEM subjects? For the last several years, much of the focus of policy makers in Washington, DC has been on policies related to K-12 education, both The whole afterschool and informal learning arena is an area where primary and secondary. I expect that 2014 will see the return of a strong policy makers need to spend a lot more attention. We have been focus on higher education and the need to address growing public strong supporters for the inclusion of informal learning as a strategy concerns over the rising cost of college tuition. At the end of 2013 we saw for enhancing and improving STEM education. Where we really face Congress working to address the overall budget and spending issues that difficulties is in providing high-quality experiences for students to have created so much political deadlock in recent years. America needs to become inspired in these areas in our most struggling schools. For the return to the business of strengthening our public institutions, which are most part, our really great schools do a fine job of providing students all built on the foundation of an excellent education system. with excellent learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. But in high-need schools – so often the ones that serve poor urban, rural and diverse communities – there is a lot of room for improvement and innovation, especially in the STEM fields. This is where www.stemedcoalition.org the most interesting and most impactful challenges are: in finding ways to best prepare the children in the toughest learning environments for the jobs of the 21st Century that will help them realise the American dream.

As the Executive Director, which direction are you hoping to lead the Coalition over the next few years? What do your responsibilities include, and how have your professional experiences prepared you for this role?

I originally began my career as an engineer, so I am really proud to be involved in promoting STEM education at the national level. Our biggest challenge is in capitalising on the growing awareness around STEM education issues in a way that translates that interest into concrete

26 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Harmonious DR TARAVONGPAISAL development

Dr Tara Vongpaisal presents her research on the auditory development of deaf children with cochlear implants, and discusses the design of rehabilitative strategies that enhance their sensory experiences

Are there previous studies to support Remarkably, for many children with CIs, the merit of movement and dance as a hearing acuity problems that stem from learning tool? device limitations do not seem to hold them back from enjoying music or deter The influence of movement on the perception them from seeking out musical activities. of musical timing is evident in infancy. One This extraordinary readiness to be open and seminal study conducted at McMaster adaptive to constrained sound input may be University by Jessica Phillips-Silver and the result of the brain’s dexterity in the early Laurel Trainor showed that seven-month- years, enabling young implant recipients to old infants who were bounced along to an overcome some predicted challenges with ambiguous rhythm in groupings of twos and music. At the same time, children are less threes, later showed a preference for listening encumbered by ingrained representations to music with timing features that shared and expectations of music that are shaped these groupings. The infants’ preference over time and form much of adults’ for listening to music that corresponded to memories and experiences of music. the patterns to which they were bounced demonstrates that movement and auditory How will your project be of long-term systems are engaged at the same time in the benefit to individuals with hearing learning process. If infants can form strong impairments? Cochlear implants (CIs) have been in and multifaceted representations of musical operation for over 60 years. What were time-based information they learned from By understanding the relationship between their initial limitations and how has their hearing and from bouncing to the beat, the the senses and how they work together efficacy improved during this time? same concepts have implications for learning to create our experiences, we’ll be able to in people of all ages. These findings might develop training and rehabilitative strategies CIs have come a long way from the rather be particularly relevant for children with CIs that capitalise on these concepts and lead primitive devices that stimulated the auditory who might be especially receptive to using to improvements in tangible ways. This nerve to give simple discernible sound movement to reinforce their learning of becomes especially important for children sensations, to the current configuration of features in sound. with hearing impairments as we know they devices that can enable children who were are particularly receptive to learning in the born deaf to acquire an oral language system. What are the main outcome differences early stages of development. There have been advances in the number of between child and adult CI recipients? physical channels available that can transmit Do you work with other disciplines to share information, as well as improvements in the Without access to pitch patterns that make resources or expertise? software configurations of the device that up distinctive melodies or pitch combinations extract and translate important features of the that evoke different ‘colours’ of sound (or Working with special populations is always signal into electrical input. Yet, CIs still have musical timbre), CI users could only gain a a collaborative and multidisciplinary effort. a long way to go to match the experiences of partial representation of music. To access I have worked alongside otolaryngologists listeners with natural acoustic hearing. music largely on musical tempo and rhythm to gain an understanding of the workings features is uniquely challenging for listeners of CIs and how they are applied surgically. I What we’ve learned so far, however, is and can be a barrier to appreciating music also consult with audiologists and parents that many deaf children can develop in its full capacity. Not surprisingly, many to garner insight into the history of the child good oral speech and language skills from adult CI recipients with previous hearing and the impact of CIs in their daily life. Each the constrained electrical input of their experience have lost their appreciation for team member in this collaborative process prostheses. It’s extraordinary what the young music after receiving their devices. This is has an important role to play, and keeping up brain can do to exceed expectations. This likely due to the diminished aesthetics of with developments from the perspectives of speaks to the resilience and creativity of the sound and the discrepancy with previous both auditory prostheses developers and users mind in making use of information in ways representations of music they have formed helps me to gain a better understanding of the that we would have not thought possible. over time. children’s outcomes. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 27 DR TARA VONGPAISAL Music to their ears Researchers in the Department of Psychology at MacEwan University, Canada, are currently examining the auditory development and musical abilities of deaf children with cochlear implants through tasks involving music and movement

IN CANADA, OVER 3 million people suffer from these fine details in the signal makes it difficult for some degree of hearing loss, which partially CI users to perceive the pitch patterns that occur or fully inhibits the ability of the individual to in melodies and to perceive timbre that gives detect vibrations essential to the perception of voices and musical instruments their distinctive Understanding how children with sound. The condition affects about six in every sound quality,” Vongpaisal elaborates. 1,000 babies born in the country and nearly cochlear implants process sound half of people over the age of 75. As our sensory Though CI users are unable to interpret pitch, experiences and functional capacities are primarily musical rhythm and timing information are is essential to gaining insight into governed by five senses – touch, taste, sight, smell accessible to them and represent reliable cues that their personal development, as and hearing – with organ systems dedicated might enable these individuals to enjoy music. to recognise and organise the input of stimuli, Vongpaisal now aims to enhance these cues for hearing loss can affect all areas of individuals with hearing loss may rely more on CI children to improve their auditory experiences sources of information that engage other senses by integrating input from other senses that work learning and functioning and on auditory technologies that can enhance in concert when we listen to music. Movement, their hearing capabilities. for example, is a common reaction to music, from the tapping of feet to dancing. The gestures hearing listeners using different renditions of Due to perceptual contraints, deafness can cause made in response to music listening represent familiar pop songs, including the original track, an a notable impact on child development as the an opportunity to integrate action and hearing instrumental only version and a synthesised piano auditory system provides children with a wider to enhance learning outcomes in children, as version of the main melody. The experiments range of communication skills. In the Department Vongpaisal elaborates: “Sensory experiences can showed that CI children were not as capable of of Psychology at MacEwan University in Canada, influence movement to music; while movement recognising auditory cues as well as those with Assistant Professor Dr Tara Vongpaisal studies can, in turn, influence how music is perceived”. normal hearing. These differences, however, the auditory development of children affected The interrelation between motor and auditory were most pronounced in the melodic version, by deafness who have been fitted with cochlear systems can enhance the encoding of music and suggesting firstly, that CI children are less flexible implants (CIs) in contrast to children with normal open new pathways to retrieve sensory input, at processing musical information and secondly, hearing. CIs are sensory prostheses that generate compensating for missing information. The ways that child and adolescent CI users rely more on hearing sensations by electrically stimulating the in which children engage their other senses, the original vocal and instrumental cues for song auditory nerve, enabling the user to acquire an thus creating a multimodal framework to enjoy recognition. Furthermore, children who received oral language system through the interpretation music, may have positive practical implications their devices earlier in life showed better abilities of this electrical input. Placing her focus on music for Vongpaisal’s research on the musical skills of at recognising melodies than those who received and voice perception skills, Vongpaisal aims to children affected by deafness. them later on, indicating an early-age advantage enhance the musical abilities of deaf children in benefiting from their implants. This experiment with CIs through songs, movement and dance. demonstrates that timing and timbre are more YOUNGER AND OLDER CI RECIPIENTS Thanks to this progressive technology, children important auditory cues than melody for CI users with severe hearing loss are now presented In 2009, Vongpaisal and colleagues examined in song recognition, which helps researchers to with the opportunity to hear music, speech and the song recognition abilities of CI children who better understand the capabilities of hearing with the ordinary sounds that contribute to daily were congenitally or prelingually deaf and the electrical input and develop learning exercises experiences. Through the enhanced recognition differences in abilities seen across age groups. that aim to improve outcomes. of sound stimuli, these sensory prostheses thus Though faced with similar obstacles and device facilitate learning and extend the possibilities for limitations, children born deaf do not have the INTERACTIVE GAMES social interactions in children with hearing loss. comparative capabilities to assess music with regard to acoustic standards or to previous More recently, the research conducted at knowledge of how a song should sound as in the MacEwan University is focusing on developing COCHLEAR IMPLANT LIMITATIONS case of individuals who lost their hearing later interactive games to examine the ability of CI Despite the numerous benefits provided by this in life. Moreover, research shows that young children to learn music, and to understand the advancement in auditory technology, Vongpaisal children with both normal and impaired hearing individual differences that characterise diverse explains that there is still room for improvement: are less likely to process as many auditory cues hearing outcomes in children with CIs. Having “CI users still experience perceptual difficulties as adult listeners. Those with normal hearing can devised a unique methodology that incorporates that stem from device limitations that constrain recognise popular songs, like Happy Birthday, music and technology, Vongpaisal is exploring their access to pitch cues signalling important regardless of pitch or tempo differences across the listening skills of children using musical tasks features in music and voices”. The primary cause versions, while child CI users are likely to have presented to them in a computer game format. of the limitation in pitch perception is the way in less abstract understanding of the songs and more The natural attraction of children to games which the devices preserve only the features in difficulty recognising the pitch patterns that make creates an ideal opportunity for Vongpaisal the acoustic signals that are required for speech up familiar melodies. They are thus less likely to to develop interactive games using motion perception. While the device preserves the sound associate different versions of a song to the one sensor technology to encourage their listening features that enable CI users to distinguish patterns they usually hear. skills. This technique will provide researchers of speech – the timing differences between vowels with new ways to monitor children’s responses and consonants, for instance – fine details that During this investigation, Vongpaisal tested a and behaviours to music; important because are crucial for pitch are omitted. “The absence of group of CI users against a control of age-matched collecting this information has proven difficult 28 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION in the past: “Trying to capture children in motion interact with the perception of sound, and learn INTELLIGENCE is a challenge and even more so in tasks that more about the ways CIs enable children with ENHANCING THE MUSIC involve music and dancing as they get especially hearing loss to hear and process music. animated and excitable,” Vongpaisal elucidates. ABILITIES THROUGH MOVEMENT Enabled by the advancements of motion sensor AND DANCE IN DEAF CHILDREN PLANNED IMPACT devices, the team adapted this technique to WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANTS record and pinpoint the dynamic features of the Understanding how children with CIs process OBJECTIVES children’s movements in response to music. sound is essential to gaining insight into their personal development, as deafness can affect To enhance the auditory development of For their current project, three different listening all areas of learning and functioning, leading children fitted with cochlear implants (CIs) tasks have been developed by the group. The to reading and spelling difficulties, which may with a special emphasis on their music, voice first examines whether simple choreography or reduce the ability of the child to participate in and speech perception skills. dance training can be used to teach CI children class. These activities are essential to everyday about rhythm, where timing structures in music life, so an understanding of the interplay KEY COLLABORATORS are compared to their movements to assess if between auditory and motor processes in Dr Sandra E Trehub; Dr E Glenn they have learned to assimilate movement and the context of music listening can be applied Schellenberg, University of Toronto, Canada sound. A second experiment investigates how to enhance children’s language development variation in sound input affects CI children’s and communication skills. Improving the way FUNDING motor skill performance on a digital piano individuals with hearing loss can communicate keyboard. During this game, children are asked will pave the way to broader educational, Social Sciences and Humanities Research to replicate melodies while the timbre quality professional and social opportunities; which Council of Canada (SSHRC) Insight of the melody is altered. How they respond to is why Vongpaisal and her research group Development Grant 2012 these changes is analysed according to their are striving to develop novel rehabilitation CONTACT finger movements, considering both timing and strategies for CI children. “Our findings are movement frequency. A third study explores expected to help develop effective teaching Dr Tara Vongpaisal whether movement in musical performances by and rehabilitative practices for educators Principal Investigator instrumentalists influences children’s appraisal and parents who have the long-haul task of music; that is, whether judgement of musical of nurturing children to become engaged Department of Psychology expressiveness and appreciation of a performance communicators and participants in social and MacEwan University are interlinked. These techniques will allow cultural activities including music and dance,” City Centre Campus the group to quantify and assess how gestures Vongpaisal concludes. 6-382, 10700-104 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4S2 Canada T +1 780 633-3309 E [email protected] A CHILD WEARS A COCHLEAR IMPLANT DEVICE www.outil.ost.uqam.ca/CRSH/Detail. aspx?Cle=113560&Langue=2

TARA VONGPAISAL earned her BA at Queen’s University, Canada, BSc at the University of Ottawa, Canada, and both her MA and PhD at the University of Toronto, Canada. She is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at MacEwan University, Canada.

Her research focuses on the perceptual development of children with an emphasis on hearing. She is particularly interested in the effects of hearing loss and hearing restoration via cochlear implantation on children’s communication and learning outcomes in music and speech. Vongpaisal’s lab is also investigating emotion recognition in typically developing children and in those with autism spectrum disorders.

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5 Concepts and reasoning

PROFESSOR MARILYN CARLSON PROFESSOR MARILYN for calculus learning

0 Professor Marilyn Carlson discusses a programme that has proven effective in improving teaching of precalculus concepts, as well as 3 students’ chances of success in more advanced mathematics 8 those who score lower than 12 out of 25 are not likely to succeed in calculus.

In addition to the PCA, over the past 20 years my research has uncovered foundational ways of thinking that support students in learning key ideas of precalculus. This knowledge has driven the development and refinement of the Pathways student curriculum and Pathways Professional Development model for secondary mathematics teachers. Every component of Pathways is grounded in and refined by qualitative studies of what is involved in understanding and learning key precalculus ideas. These studies produced a new theory of learning and teaching precalculus ideas, and also informed the development and refinement of precalculus curriculum and teacher tools.

Why is precalculus of such fundamental What findings emerged from the PCA? importance to student development, and how has the Pathways Project sought to In the early stages, PCA data revealed that the improve precalculus understanding? understanding of both students and secondary mathematics teachers of key ideas of precalculus Precalculus mathematics lays the foundation was weak. During the first five years of Pathways for learning calculus, and for modelling Professional Development, we documented quantitative relationships in the sciences and large gains in teachers on the PCA, but very engineering. A student who emerges from low or no student gains. This led us to conduct precalculus with weak understandings of key qualitative studies with specific mathematics ideas, such as rate of change and function, teachers. Six case studies revealed that the is not prepared to learn calculus and be deep understandings teachers exhibited in a successful in STEM fields. workshop setting were very fragile. When visiting their classrooms, we witnessed teachers often With this in mind, the Pathways Project reverting back to old ways of showing students developed the Precalculus Concept methods for obtaining answers. This led us to Assessment (PCA), a 25-item multiple-choice conjecture that teachers need the support of instrument, to assess student understanding meaningful and coherent student curriculum of the foundational ideas and reasoning and instructional tools. The supports should also abilities of precalculus mathematics. The exam be helpful for solidifying teacher understandings has now been administered to over 10,000 of key ideas, and enable them to build more students and has consistently shown that connections among ideas when teaching.

30 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION PROFESSOR MARILYN CARLSON

Do you work with policy makers to ensure the programme’s legacy? 9 4 y I have served on several national committees x 6 1 8 and have consulted for the College Board in 76 4 developing a framework for precalculus level mathematics. I was also one of the mathematics educators who contributed research findings 7x x 4 9 to the lead writers of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Most decisions related to interpreting and implementing standards and policy documents are made at the state, district and school levels. Our Calculating success 5 impact will be determined by the choices of key administrators and state leaders in STEM. The Pathways Project at Arizona State University offers an innovative Can the Pathways approach be suite of tools for assessing understanding of primary precalculus concepts, replicated elsewhere? increasing curriculum quality and teaching effectiveness. The initiative Many outstanding Pathways faculty and improves students’ success in calculus and, ultimately, STEM teachers can now lead face-to-face Pathways Professional Development. Moreover, many WITHIN THE NEXT decade, if the US is to maintain that are its focus. There is little or no attention Pathways resources – including student its dominant position in the science and technology given to achieving measurable gains in student 0 curriculum, videos, animations and teacher sectors, or at the very least to remain competitive learning of key concepts and STEM practices”. resources – are available online, making them in global markets, it will need many more workers easy to disseminate and scale. We are also skilled in STEM subjects than are currently available In 2010, Carlson and her collaborator Dr Michael 3 moving to online delivery of some of the to fill its technical jobs. As a result, there is a Oehrtman developed the Precalculus Concept teacher Professional Development materials, nationwide imperative to improve STEM teaching, Assessment (PCA), a test that they clinically 8 and are looking for other schools, districts increase STEM student enrolment and retention, validated as a reliable indicator of fundamental and states that will appreciate the unique and ensure that universities successfully deliver the understanding of precalculus mathematics. The attributes of our research-based professional high levels of skills required for the marketplace. PCA has since been administered to thousands development and materials. of students, as well as mathematics teachers and university faculty members. As a result of early A NOVEL APPROACH TO STEM SUCCESS Is collaboration important to your work? tests administered to mathematics teachers, At Arizona State University (ASU), an initiative has Carlson and her co-investigators realised that, My work would not be possible without the been underway over the last 10 years to develop while there was an urgent need for much better support of the National Science Foundation better understanding of the primary concepts precalculus teaching practices, the teachers and the many collaborators involved in that are preparatory for students to succeed in themselves often lacked the knowledge required developing, testing and refining the Pathways and understand calculus at both schools and to apply them effectively. “It was particularly model. For example, much of the knowledge universities. The endeavour aims not only to ensure surprising that many secondary school teachers, of how students construct understandings success in later calculus studies at a higher level and with first degrees in mathematics, did not have a of foundational ideas, and how teachers so encourage more students to persist in studying strong understanding of ideas such as exponential engage with them, is grounded in the careful mathematics and science, but also to significantly growth, function composition, function inverse, cognitive work of Dr Patrick Thompson. He enhance student ability and confidence in solving function notation and trigonometric functions,” has coherently characterised the processes novel problems. The Pathways Project seeks to Carlson observes. She therefore launched the involved in learning many key ideas of algebra, develop deeper understanding of key precalculus Pathways Project, under the umbrella of which precalculus and calculus, and assisted us in ideas – such as quantity, variable, function, rate of research has been conducted into all aspects of developing our initial learning trajectories for change, exponential growth, angle measurement, learning and teaching of precalculus concepts student learning and teacher development. and trigonometric functions – in both students and approaches to problem solving. Pathways and teachers, and is based on in-depth research now provides a model system that spans teacher Furthermore, my primary collaborator in into learning processes, teacher knowledge and professional development, precalculus curriculum first developing the Pathways materials was teaching effectiveness. The Pathways curriculum development, supplementary teaching resources Dr Michael Oehrtman. It was through our and teacher resources were designed and refined and learning aids. collaborations that we came to understand through iterative research cycles. As we continue to the complexity of changing teacher practice, understand more about effective ways to achieve LEARNING THROUGH PATHWAYS and the critical role that curriculum plays greater learning and teaching, this knowledge will in teaching and learning. Another key inform future Pathways revisions. From the students’ perspective, the Pathways collaborator in analysing the quantitative learning approach requires them to endeavour data and studying teacher change is Dawn The usual approach to designing interventions for to apply four main behaviours: firstly, students Teuscher. Finally, many graduate students – improving STEM teaching and learning is to draw engage in ‘sense making’, which involves including Sally Jacobs, Sean Larsen, Ted Coe, together a committee of well-meaning people with analysing, conceptualising and expressing (perhaps Nicole Engelke, Kevin Moore, Stacy Bowling, relevant experience who then debate and propose pictorially) a mathematical problem in ways that April Strom, Trey Cox, Irene Bloom, Michael action. Essentially, the process is unscientific and enable them to visualise the problem statement, Tallman, Kathryn Underwood, Frank Marfai, the product most often will not meet the need, and understand both the known and unknown Kristin Frank and Bethany Fowler – who have as Professor Marilyn Carlson, Pathways Principal quantities involved; secondly, they are asked to conducted research on various strands of Investigator and member of the ASU Mathematics explain their thinking and demonstrate the logic the Pathways model. Currently, my primary and Statistics faculty highlights: “It doesn’t make that underpins their reasoning; thirdly, they are collaborators in Pathways Algebra II’s sense that most of the science and mathematics challenged to develop meaningful formulas, graphs development and implementation are Alan curriculum being used in the US has no basis in and tables to represent the relationships between O’Bryan and Kacie Joyner. research on learning or understanding the key ideas the quantities described in the problem context;

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 31 INTELLIGENCE and lastly, they are asked to use their formulas and thinking, pose meaningful questions and provide graphs to explore the subtle patterns of change coherent and conceptually orientated explanations PATHWAYS TO CALCULUS: between the varying quantities described in the and wrap-up lectures. The Pathways Professional DISSEMINATING AND SCALING A problem context. Development programme trains teachers in how PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL to interpret and react to student thinking while FOR ALGEBRA THROUGH PRECALCULUS teaching key concepts. The programme is delivered TEACHING AND LEARNING over three years, starting with a three-to-five day workshop followed by a monthly workshop for OBJECTIVES Pathways now provides a model the first year, during which the teachers apply the The Pathways Project has produced new system that spans teacher Pathways approach in the classroom. knowledge to inform the design and refinement of professional development and support professional development, Teachers are supplied with a full package of materials for effective teaching in precalculus materials, including instructional sequences and algebra. The over arching aim was to precalculus curriculum that facilitate the learning of key ideas, as well address the problem of procedurally focused mathematics teaching in US schools by development, supplementary as teaching notes and sample solutions, such understanding the mathematical content as desirable and undesirable ways of thinking knowledge, support materials and professional teaching resources and learning aids about a problem or approaching complex tasks. development that teachers need to shift their They are also given investigation frameworks classrooms to be intellectually engaging, With these principles established, students work with accompanying homework assignments; coherent and meaningful. The end goal was to in groups around a whiteboard to undertake interactive PowerPoint slideshows aligned with improve student interest, learning, confidence an investigation composed of a sequence of the investigations to assist the teacher in leading and persistence in mathematics, science and thought provoking questions. These are designed concept-orientated discussions; and computer engineering course taking. and ordered to encourage the students to animations designed to support the development PARTNERS construct meanings and connections that lead to of critical reasoning abilities and connections. understanding and the application of ideas to solve Furthermore, the materials include examinations Arizona State University • Brigham Young unfamiliar problems. During the investigation, and other assessment devices; and supplementary University • Chandler Unified School District • Iowa State University • Mesa Public Schools the preparation of responses to a specific cluster resources such as videos and alternative • Northern Colorado University • San Diego of questions is timed to assure that students are investigation solutions. State University • Scottsdale Unified School active and productive in their collaborative groups. District • Scottsdale Community College FUTURE PATHWAYS Within each group, a designated member FUNDING documents the process and the solution. All Over the last five years, the Pathways model National Science Foundation – award no. EHR- students are required to understand these aspects has been implemented with more than 400 0412537 in detail, as any of them may be called upon to mathematics teachers and 20,000 students. describe the solution and the ways of thinking During this same time frame, the model has shown CONTACT that led to it. “Once the groups have constructed dramatic improvements in both the teachers’ and Professor Marilyn P Carlson their written products, the teacher asks three to students’ knowledge of key precalculus concepts. Principal Investigator four groups to explain their solutions to the class,” Before Pathways, the best mean PCA score for PO Box 871804 Carlson elaborates. “This typically leads to high a class of students at 40 different colleges and Tempe, Arizona 85287-1804 quality discourse among the group members as universities was 9.1 out of 25, when 13 is the USA they work to ensure that everyone is prepared to minimum readiness indicator for success with provide a coherent explanation.” Students from the calculus; however, after being taught by teachers T +1 480 965 6168 other groups can then ask questions for clarification with Pathways training and using Pathways E [email protected] to which only the presenter may initially respond. materials, the mean score of an equivalent set of After that, other members of the presenting students was 16.2. MARILYN CARLSON is Professor in the School group are given the opportunity to add further of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences and The Pathways Project’s achievement with Director of Research Innovations in Mathematics clarifications. The teacher can also ask questions Education at Arizona State University. She has of the group to ensure that the meanings and precalculus has resulted in it being extended to over 70 research publications in mathematics connections are fully and clearly articulated. Pathways to Algebra I and Algebra II. The Algebra education, and is a frequent national and II professional development and curriculum international speaker on issues related to was implemented in nine schools (with a total TEACHING THROUGH PATHWAYS knowing, learning, and teaching mathematics. of 45 teachers) in 2012-13, with all schools Carlson has received over US $20 million in The Pathways model of effective teaching is based having significant gains in student learning of the funding from the National Science Foundation on established techniques and the results of case course’s key ideas. The Algebra I curriculum and for her research and outreach work with studies carried out with mathematics teachers in professional development has been developed and secondary and undergraduate mathematics which their knowledge, curriculum and classroom is being piloted in three schools during the current instructors. Her current NSF grant, Project Pathways, is working in over 20 secondary practices were closely evaluated. These studies 2013-14 academic year. Judging by the schools, community colleges and universities consistently revealed that the most critical variable programme’s positive impact so far, the Pathways to support improvements in curriculum and for effective teaching is the teachers’ understanding Project is surely on the road to being a successful student learning in precalculus and calculus. of a course’s ideas and how they are connected. model for improving the quality of teaching and She was the Coordinator of the Mathematical This enables them to evaluate their students’ student learning in precalculus level courses. Association of America (MAA) Special Interest Group for Research in Mathematics Education, and edited the MAA Volume, Making the Connection: Research to Practice in Mathematics Education. She was granted an NSF CAREER award to study student learning in calculus. In 2007, she was presented the MAA Selden Award for Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, and in 2013 she received the Outstanding Doctoral Mentor award at Arizona State University.

32 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION STEPHEN MASON Engineering brighter futures

Having reaped the benefits of an excellent STEM education himself, Stephen Mason is eager to improve the educational landscape in the US and attract more students to work in STEM professions

employees with skills in creative thinking and methods. I collaborate with a variety of high effective troubleshooting. tech manufacturers – all of whom really stepped up to the plate this past summer by allowing How has the educational landscape changed our students to work as interns – and we use since the adoption of STEM policy in the US? surveys from these employees, and the students themselves, to gauge our success. We received There is now much more awareness, good ratings from these surveys on both sides. promotion and funding available for the STEM fields. More students are exploring What enrichment activities do you STEM subjects, but there are still two major undertake for the students? problems. The first is keeping them working in this area – there are still a lot of students that To date my most successful enrichment activities choose to leave because maths and physics have been field trips. When the students go to becomes too challenging. the plants and see how things are made, their perspectives change. Once I’ve given them an The other issue is the varied attitudes of the idea of the salaries and hourly wages available instructors available. I have learned that they always ask how they can obtain a job in students pick up on your excitement about the plants. Another enrichment tool has been What is your academic and professional a subject, so if you show little enthusiasm, the internships. Having the students out there background, and why are you interested in students will often lose interest. We have to working, and employees telling you that they the field of STEM education in particular? recruit more STEM students from the heart. are doing a good job, is the best feeling. Another enrichment activity has been the use of the I have a BSc from Clemson University in Could you expand on the type of College Skills Curriculum; it adds to the growth Engineering Technology and an MEd from professional development opportunities you of these students’ basic thinking skills and South Carolina State University in Technology present to high school students? How do awareness of the consequences of the decisions Education. I taught high school industrial you measure the success of this initiative? that they make and how it will affect their lives. technology for three years and worked with Denmark Technical College in economic and We hold sessions on giving and receiving Are you encouraged by national investment workforce development for over seven years. I feedback, trust, dressing for the job, in STEM education? What more can be done? also worked as an instructor and facilitator for interviewing skills, teamwork and other soft Project Lead the Way for over four years, and in skills that are essential in the workplace. I Yes, we are heading in the right direction, but I manufacturing for a further 28 years – a period frequently come across students who aren’t still see the need for more promotional material, that included three plant start-ups. equipped with these skills. They don’t know different media outlets and additional instructors. that they have to learn how to talk to people in One of the greatest problems facing education is I was drawn to this field because of my love a professional manner, or that if you show up that a lot of the best teachers do not teach, but for agricultural work, from growing up on the late for work you risk losing your job. They know choose instead to work for private companies that farm. I was also able to apply my background how to give feedback, but not constructively. pay them far more. It’s funny sometimes to think to engineering, enabling me to make good that these private companies have contributed money and therefore provide a better life I also give the students time to use these skills to their own problems by luring some of the best for my family. Throughout my career, I have as part of a team for class projects before they instructors in their field out of the classroom and personally benefited from a STEM education, go out into the world of work. This practice into their facilities. As a consequence, students and I can see the need in the advanced helps reinforce their newly learned skills training in STEM disciplines are often not manufacturing sector for more STEM and allows me to observe and correct their achieving employee requirements.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 33 STEPHEN MASON

New approaches to science education

Students have often regarded STEM careers as unappealing, and as a result there is a shortfall in those graduating with skills in these fields. To help counter this, South Carolina’s Denmark Technical College is looking for new ways to engage high school juniors and seniors in STEM

THE NATIONAL MATH AND SCIENCE PLTW accomodates students from diverse an important step towards more autonomous, INITIATIVE (NMSI), launched in 2007 by backgrounds, and has filled 36 places with minority confident learning for his students. As well as leading science and technology professionals, has freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors from trying to counter the intimidating stereotypes published some concerning statistics illustrating Allendale, Barnwell and Bamberg counties and surrounding STEM subjects, field trips to high tech the decline of US educational accomplishments in the South Carolina Priority School. Each student manufacturing facilities expose students to the the STEM fields. In contrast with its leading position was awarded a scholarship in recognition of their sheer profitability of the careers they offer. in international high school and college rates in academic record, and as a means to fund their 1988, the US had dropped to 20th in world league higher education. Over the course of his experience in education, tables. College students are also demonstrating a Mason has noticed that parents of his students lack of commitment to the STEM fields – 38 per Stephen Mason, Associate Vice President of often dismiss manufacturing careers as taxing or cent who take on a STEM major abandon it over Economics & Workforce Development at DTC dangerous, but are unaware of the high salaries the course of their degree. and Coordinator for PLTW, hopes that the they provide – a misconception he is keen to scheme will adjust outdated attitudes to STEM dispel: “What is funny is people working in This clear weakening of the US education system subjects as dull, difficult, or only teachable in manufacturing make US $70,000-150,000 a year, coupled with an increasing disinterest in the STEM static classroom environments. He argues that but if you asked a parent if they would allow their fields does not bode well for the predicted surge the ‘handfeeding’ of high school students by child to work in that sector, 90 per cent of the time in demand for highly skilled graduates. The NMSI teachers renders them reluctant to engage with the answer is ‘no’”. has forecast a 45 per cent increase in jobs in the the challenges of technology, leaving them poorly information and technology sectors by 2018, but prepared for successful college majors. “These ENVIABLE FACILITIES foresees a shortage as large as 3 million in workers students go to college, where it is ‘do or die’, and competent enough to fill these roles. a lot of them can’t cut it,” Mason expounds. “At a Classroom workshops with manufacturing recent conference, someone said ‘we don’t leave equipment allow DTC students to apply room for our kids to reach’ and that is so true.” their theoretical knowledge directly and try INCLUSIVE EDUCATION Clearly, the challenge of STEM Encouragingly, the Denmark Technical College subjects is a factor students must (DTC) in South Carolina is seeing impressive be inspired to embrace. Project Lead the Way students explore numbers of students through to graduation, as the STEM field of transportation. well as engaging them in STEM subjects with NEGOTIATING STEREOTYPES innovative programme structures and enrichment activities. DTC has launched Project Lead the In order to stimulate and challenge Way (PLTW), a dual enrolment programme his students at DTC, Mason likes to specific to STEM subjects, as part of its Advanced highlight the similarities between Technological Education (ATE) initiative. It allows skills needed for STEM careers high school students attending STEM classes in and those used when playing this dual enrolment programme to earn six college video games, or enjoying other credit hours each semester, increasing their career ubiquitous technologies from daily opportunities and helping to build impressive life. Realising that they use STEM college applications should they decide to pursue skillsets unthinkingly outside of the an associated degree. classroom will, he hopes, constitute 34 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE CREATING A PATHWAY FOR HIGH SCHOOL MINORITIES TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE STEM PROGRAMMES OBJECTIVES Denmark Technical College aims to improve teaching methods in STEM subjects and heighten students’ engagement with them through the launch of programmes such as Project Lead the Way and opportunities to engage with hands-on learning techniques. The College also wants to disseminate its novel teaching methods to a wider audience so that other educational intuitions can Stephen Mason in one of make use of them. the classroom workshops at KEY COLLABORATORS Denmark Technical College. Darlene Hall, Director of Career and out a manufacturing plant environment for impressive facilities will include a control room Technology Education (CATE), Allendale themselves. These activities are critical in simulator, one of the first installed in the state. Fairfax High School, USA • Laurine Hilliard, preparing them for successful future careers Director of Guidance, Denmark Olar High in the real world, and with Mason’s help, the School, USA • Glen Davis, CATE Guidance, LOOKING AHEAD programme’s students are given the chance to Barnwell Career Center, USA • Pam Priester, operate a forklift and other machinery. Visits PLTW students can gain further engineering Guidance Counselor, Barnwell High School, to Discovery Place in Charlotte, North Carolina and technology experience outside of DTC USA • Cathy Smith, Career Development, give the students more opportunities to explore term time by embarking on an internship with Williston Elko, USA • Hope Smalls, Guidance science and technology subjects in a lively one of the programme’s partner companies. Counselor, Blackville Hilda, USA • Kenneth interactive setting. After recently undergoing Industry collaborators include Kronotex, a Toomer; Rama Olson, Assistant Instructors; a multi-million dollar renovation, the museum subsidiary of Swiss wood-based material Crystal Brailey, Counselor; Annie Patrick; boasts extensive facilities which include company Krono Group, Horsehead Doris Beard, College Skills Instructors, laboratories and an IMAX cinema. Corporation, a world leader in Zinc recycling, Denmark Technical College and Masonite, a leading door manufacturer. FUNDING Another highly popular vacation option for National Science Foundation’s those on the dual enrolment course is the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Clearly, the challenge of STEM Summer Robotics programme, led by Dr Grant – Creating a Pathway for High Ambrish Lavania, Dean of Industrial Related School Minorities to Community College subjects is a factor students must Technologies at DTC. Students have enjoyed STEM Programs learning the challenging robotic programming be inspired to embrace techniques taught on this course so much that Department of Energy – Historically two additional programmes have been added Black Colleges & Universities; PLTW’s innovative approach to independent to deepen their STEM knowledge: the Math Environmental Management Project; STEM learning has benefited enormously from Institute and the Science Institute. National Center of Construction Education grants given by the National Science Foundation and Research (NCCER) Training Program; and the Department of Energy. The latter Teaching staff at DTC are eager to Mobile Training Unit enabled DTC to purchase a bespoke mobile communicate the considerable progress CONTACT unit which allows single pieces of expensive they have made so far across South Carolina. equipment to be transported between their The South Carolina Education and Business Stephen Mason three training sites, an act that has proved both Summit has proven a highly successful Associate Vice President for Economic beneficial to students and highly economical. platform for their work over the past two and Workforce Development Inkeeping with his mission to promote STEM years. With attendance levels around 1,500, excellence, Mason has taken the mobile unit to the Summit is the largest annual professional Denmark Technical College schools across the state of South Carolina and development event for the state’s Career and 1126 Solomon Blatt Boulevard has welcomed visiting students to presentations Technology educators and administrators, and Denmark and equipment demonstration on the DTC is credited by Mason as being crucial to the South Carolina 29042 campus. By the end of 2014, DTC’s already promotion of their work. The mobile unit plays USA a key role in DTC’s presentations, acting as a T +1 803 793 5155 space for exhibitions on the state of advanced A group of students participating in the Project Lead E [email protected] The Way initiative. manufacturing in the US. www.denmarktech.edu The dynamic STEM dialogue the college has initiated in South Carolina is cause for STEPHEN MASON has over 28 years of great optimism. Mason hopes that improved experience working in private industry and attitudes to science subjects will spread to educational administration. Until he took other states, and indeed worldwide in the years up his current position as Associate Vice to come: “Technological advances mean that President of Workforce Development & change now takes place at a much faster pace,” Corporate Continuing Education at he explains. “My hopes are that soon education Denmark Technical College, he had will understand and catch up – we have got to previously served for four years as the meet the needs of students in a global society.” Dean of Continuing Education. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 35 ANALYSIS

36 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS

Since its establishment in 1988, the Intel Foundation has been committed to providing educational opportunities and ensuring the wellbeing of people and communities across the world, particularly those from underserved backgrounds. Through a range of activities – programmes, leadership exercises, grant funding, etc. – the Foundation works to promote innovation in STEM subjects, empower women and girls, motivate youth and encourage community engagement. Having reached its 25th anniversary, the Foundation is deeply inspired by the breadth of their achievements– its growing staff, the students they encourage and support and the global scope of their work. To celebrate, the Foundation has been looking back at the success of the programmes and initiatives it has created or worked with, and it has compiled a selection of videos, podcasts and infographics that champion their educational and community-based work. The ‘Educate. Empower. Engage. The Intel Foundation at 25 Years’ document outlines these activities, as well as their hopes for the future – promising more exciting challenges on the horizon.

strategic partner. They recently released the inspiring feature-length STEM FOR LIFE movie Girl Rising (http://www.girlrising.com/) In addition, the Foundation provides mentors for all-girl teams in the ‘Fostering Innovation in STEM Education’ is a key area for the robotic competitions, as well as science competitions for women Foundation, which recognises the importance of these subjects in and girls at the regional and global scale. creating future innovators and ensuring economic competitiveness and stability. It conducts many activities to improve STEM training and encourage students to embark on related studies and careers. Among YOUTH OF OUR NATIONS the vast array of projects taking place, some exciting projects include: ‘Inspiring Underserved Youth’ is an important branch of the Intel Science and Talent Search – attracts over 1,700 American Foundation’s work, dedicated to helping young people engage with high school seniors annually, giving them a chance to showcase technology and affirm life skills and experiences. Below are some of their research projects. Winning participants are awarded over the programmes Intel is involved in: US $1.25 million in awards and scholarships Intel Computer Clubhouse Network – this is an after school, International Science and Engineering Fair – enables community-based learning project that allows youths from around 7 million high school students to actively develop underrepresented areas to engage with the latest technological original research projects and present their work at local developments and to become confident and motivated. This science competitions programme also teaches problem-solving and collaboration skills

Intel Educator Academy – provides an online community for K-12 National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in educators to discuss ideas and to share methods for improving Engineering and Science – a collaborative effort between Intel STEM classroom studies and the Consortium that offers masters and PhD support to science and engineering students from underserved minorities Team-orientated robotics tournaments – events whereby children are given the opportunity to respond to scientific challenges Semiconductor Research Corporation – Intel is supporting by learning to build robots from Lego toys. With Intel’s support, the Corporation in its provision of valuable learning experiences, these tournaments reach underserved children and communities research and information to undergraduate students lacking the resources to perform such activities

Intel Global Challenges – gives young entrepreneurs the chance to experience the business world and to build the skills PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY and resources needed to create successful businesses and to showcase their own innovations Having contributed millions of dollars toward community projects, disaster relief efforts and educational funding, ‘Engaging with Our Communities’ is the fourth objective for the Intel Foundation. FEMALE FOCUS Examples of work being conducted here include: Intel Involved Volunteer Program – many Intel employees (over ‘Empowering Girls and Women’ is a core tenet of the Intel 40 per cent) are involved with this programme, which facilitates Foundation. Through working with industry partners, NGOs and and supports individuals or teams to get involved with community others, the Foundation hopes to break down gender barriers in needs – educational and environmental activities, for example. Staff education, science and technology and ensure women are given an dedicate many hours towards helping communities become safer equal voice in the global economy. Innovative projects here include: and healthier

Ashoka Changemakers – in collaboration with Intel, Ashoka Intel Involved Matching Grant Program – the Intel Foundation Changemakers launched an online competition asking participants donates money to schools and community organisations for each to come up with groundbreaking innovations to equip females in the hour an employee volunteers. Once a minimum of 20 hours has digital technology arena. Ideas put forward should enable women to been totalled by an employee, a donation or ‘match’ is given by live healthier, smarter lives the Foundation

She Will – set up by Intel, this campaign invests in women and Intel’s Approach to Disaster Relief – the Foundation has a girls worldwide to ensure they are given equal economic and strong focus on communities, providing both humanitarian relief and educational opportunities long-term restoration services. Expert teams assess the damage each disaster causes and initiate a recovery programme based on 10x10 – a global action campaign empowering girls and women their technical knowledge and skills. The Foundation also provides to get an education, for which Intel Corporation is the founding cash donations to communities affected by these extreme events.

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126 Please fill out this application in full and either fax, or scan and email to: 381 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Fax: +44 117 911 3474 Email: [email protected] PROFESSORS LIZABETH SCHLEMER & LINDA VANASUPA & ROGER BURTON Connected classrooms

Professors Lizabeth Schlemer and Linda Vanasupa and consultant Roger Burton offer an overview of their research into networked learning communities as a basis for advancing STEM education

Could you provide some insight into your through a network of symbiotic relationships sustained without the use of force. In essence, research backgrounds? with other organisms; they are collaborating for this is the basis for critical thinking as a collective their coexistence. In terms of STEM education, way of being, rather than a technical process. Together, the three of us have researched the we view our organisations as organisms. The education of engineers and the practice of network serves to exchange informational You are focusing on STEM education in engineering – broadly defined. Burton spent nutrients with and across the higher education several traditionally Hispanic-serving 20 years as a consultant for multinational ecosystem. At a distant node, a different institutions. How would you like to see corporations and government agencies, perspective is possible. We learn from one STEM education improve? working on the large-scale implementation another across the network in a way that isn’t of sustainable business practices. Schlemer’s possible when researchers coexist in a single- All higher education seems to be subject to the career has spanned both industrial practice and organisation ecosystem. same consequences created by the traditional higher education, looking into how engineering model of learning. In STEM culture in the US, education systems can make room for our What role do you think such communities negative consequences are often amplified ‘whole’ selves. Vanasupa’s work began with can play in improving teaching and learning because of the unconscious adoption of values microelectronics and transitioned to research of college-level STEM content? and metaphors of the industrial-military on how to enable sustainable design. origins of the profession. We would like to When we use the term ‘community’, we see the STEM education enterprise become Why are you interested in developing mean a networked reality of people with conscious of the embedded value system STEM education? shared qualities. These traits are generated within curricula. Currently, these invisible value collectively and sustained through individual systems are largely responsible for many of the We started asking questions about and collective participation. problematic phenomena that national efforts transformational change based on our are attempting to solve. conviction that the current system of higher One of the most important aspects of such education in the US is not preparing upcoming a community structure is the way in which For example, STEM higher education, and generations for the world that they will inherit. it allows us to come into contact with engineering education in particular, has fundamental assumptions. We are typically made little progress in the last 30 years This is a product of the paradigm of the globe unaware of them as models, but operate with in substantively balancing the graduate as a simple system, where problems are small them in the background because we tacitly demographics in proportion to the percentage and solvable. In reality, the world occurs to us hold them as self-evident truth. A community of women or underrepresented ethnic groups. as a complex system in which challenges cross based on shared properties of learning, love, We continue to attempt to solve this problem disciplines in an interconnected way. Therefore, compassion and a liberating impulse serves at the level of students, when the problem if one desires the ability to successfully live and as a reflective surface through which we can is systemic. The very activities that conserve work in such a system, they need to learn in become aware of such models when sufficient engineering education in the way a factory ways that account for complexity. diversity is present. might perfect an assembly line are the very same that create inhospitable cultures and How do you define the term ‘networked The community as such is the basis for learning learning environments for students like women learning community’? as an emergent collaborative phenomenon, and Latinos/Latinas, who may hold alternative rather than a prescriptive one. The real discipline value systems. These exclusionary learning A networked learning community is, in a sense, and practice around the generation and cultures are created and maintained by all a way of mimicking how biological ecosystems maintenance of community translates into actors within the system by unconsciously-held function – the source of nutrients is outside a learning environment in which addressing paradigms that prioritise profit and technology the organism itself. Nutrients are acquired very challenging content can be created and over human considerations.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 39 PROFESSORS LIZABETH SCHLEMER & LINDA VANASUPA & ROGER BURTON Transforming education from its STEM

A team at California Polytechnic State University is exploring groundbreaking approaches that could transform STEM education, while better preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists

SINCE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, While the participation of women and certain not adequately prepare students for the scientific research has mostly followed the ethnic minorities – demographic groups that sustainability-related challenges that they are reductionist approach, whereby a particular have been traditionally underrepresented – in likely to encounter in their future careers, the problem is broken down into smaller, STEM has increased in most sectors in recent researchers have come together in order to manageable chunks and investigated, with a years, 2013 National Science Foundation work towards a solution. view to applying the findings to similar, simple statistics show that progress remains more systems in which one can control the variables. sluggish than many would have hoped, A core tenet of their approach is a shift from what particularly within engineering and the physical they view as a factory-style teaching system to To a large extent, higher education in the US sciences. Many efforts to try and address this a more community-based one that incorporates has followed suit. Many still regard the teaching imbalance have focused solely on student the interests, histories and abilities of both and learning process as something that, once recruitment, while introspective changes at the teachers and students. The team firmly believes perfected, can be applied in a one-size-fits- systemic level have been few and far between. that the quality of interpersonal relationships is all way to achieve optimal results from each vital to the learning experience, which includes cohort of students. While true in some cases, educators and students alike. SHAKING UP HIGHER EDUCATION this style of education brings with it a number of unintended consequences, such as a tendency to Schlemer, Vanasupa and Burton have been COLLABORATIVE LEARNING work in silos. Professors Lizabeth Schlemer and exploring alternatives that could potentially AS A NETWORK Linda Vanasupa of California Polytechnic State transform the STEM teaching and learning University with consultant Roger Burton also see experience and make it a more inclusive The team has been investigating the efficacy this style of education as directly linked to the space for all students. Sharing the belief that of a teaching style that aims to break down lack of diversity within science and technology. the current higher education system does the rigid barriers imposed by traditional

Through the Sino-US Strategic Alliance for Innovation, San Luis Obispo (SUSTAIN- SLO), the researchers aim to establish how educators can be supported in the transition to teaching in a collaborative model, given that competition is deeply embedded into the framework of human thought

40 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION educational methods, encouraging creativity that these institutions have built policies and INTELLIGENCE and compassion amongst learners. Their work work in ways that conserve traditions, resulting revolves around the concept of a ‘networked in a uniformity among faculty and students. OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS TO INDIVIDUALIZED TEACHING learning community’, an environment which Aware of the enormity of such a task, Schlemer, AND LEARNING they believe will foster collaborative learning. Vanasupa and Burton have been investigating The purpose of this network is to bring together ways in which this can be successfully achieved OBJECTIVES learners, educators and other stakeholders – in their research. The research focuses on the change process such as community partners – in a collaborative for faculty members to teach in a collaborative process of exploring new ways of creating the They favour action research because it model within institutions that are optimised social value of a thriving community. recognises the unique situation in which the for competition. research is happening. Action research is a KEY COLLABORATORS This networked learning community flips reflective method that includes the investigator the traditional idea of a hierarchical learning as a subject of the study, and is appropriate Co-Principal Investigators: Lizabeth Schlemer; system on its head. Instead of an emphasis for complex systems. Rather than aiming to Linda Vanasupa, California Polytechnic State being placed upon students to learn from a establish cause and effect, action research University (Cal Poly), and Roger Burton, Society sole ‘authorised expert’ teacher, each individual involves sensitivity to weak signals within a for Organizational Learning-China. within the community is empowered to make given system so that the researcher can adjust Collaborating faculty members at Cal Poly: contributions to learning and teaching, making towards achieving the desired result. Action Courtney Brogno, English • Robert Echols, the approach much more egalitarian. In this research is practised within SUSTAIN-SLO, and Physics • Matt Ritter, Biology • Craig Russell, system, all hold responsibility for individual and has shown promise as a viable way of creating Music • Leslie St John, English • Nina Truch, community learning. meaningful, self-initiated change. Communication Studies • Jane Lehr, Ethnic Studies • Pete Schwartz, Physics • Erma Stauffer, Communication Studies • Neal The researchers are keen to point out that their KEY FINDINGS MacDougall, Agribusiness • Tom Trice, History • community is not simply a variation on the Roberta Herter, Education professional society model, which they argue Through its study, the team has identified is subject to similar consequences as the higher two patterns of change-related behaviour of Collaborators external to Cal Poly: Ginger education system that they are looking to interest. One, the ‘strange attractor’, refers to Hendricks, Research Consultant • Sarah a phenomenon by which a given system moves Ramirez, BeHealthyTulare, USA • Alice Pawley; rethink. “Existing societies are born out of the Robin Adams, Purdue University, USA • Emily same paradigms of dominance and competition; towards a particular state without obvious Allen, Cal State-Los Angeles, USA • Susan therefore, they function less like collaborative direct action. The researchers describe this A Ambrose, Northeastern University, USA • networks and more like opportunities to state as one of compassionate attention that is Helen L Chen, Stanford University, USA • Alicia gain some competitive advantage for scarce characteristic of nurturing. The other pattern is Dowd, University of Southern California, USA resources,” Vanasupa explains. one of ‘strong emergence’ of a non-predictable • Crystal Lo Vetere, Cerritos College, USA • state within the system. “What we have found Jinny Rhee, San Jose State University, USA • is that when certain conditions are met in Ruth Rominger, Garfield Foundation, USA • Liz SUSTAIN-SLO: A LIVING LABORATORY the learning system, there is a spontaneous, Rozell, Bakersfield College, USA • Jonathan D In order to test and fine-tune their theories unpredictable emergence of existential crisis Stolk, Olin College of Engineering, USA about the networked learning model, the within faculty and students alike,” Vanasupa FUNDING group set up the Sino-US Strategic Alliance describes. “Because of the presence of the National Science Foundation – award nos. for Innovation, San Luis Obispo (SUSTAIN- strange attractor, individuals are able to 1025264, 1044430, 1256226 SLO), an initiative for California Polytechnic successfully navigate the existential crisis. State University first-year students. Through We often use the term ‘transformational CONTACT SUSTAIN-SLO, the researchers aim to establish learning’ because we are finding that the Lizabeth Schlemer how educators can be supported in the learning results in a re-constitution of Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing transition to teaching in a collaborative model, peoples’ own identity. This is consistent with Engineering given that competition is deeply embedded understanding education as a fundamentally into the framework of human thought. emancipatory process.” California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California 93407, USA The programme brings together students with Recognising the human learning system T +1 805 756 2183 10 faculty members from a range of disciplines as a complex system, they draw from E [email protected] and community partners from a variety of complexity theory to identify the factors in organisations in San Luis Obispo, California. transformational learning. These include the LIZABETH SCHLEMER has been an instructor By the end of the six-month experience, each presence of the strange attractor, a diversity of at Cal Poly since 1993. She holds a BSc and MSc student will – with the support of peers and perspectives, a global constraint, or boundary, in Industrial Engineering, and an MBA and a PhD faculty members – have progressed toward felt by the community, a sense of commitment in Educational Research. She also has 10 years of work experience where she held positions of their individual degrees and worked with their to overarching aims and the opportunity for increasing responsibility. Most of her current community partner on a project that promotes individuals to self-organise within the learning research activities centre around engineering sustainability and creates value. Since its system to achieve these aims. education and enhancing engagement. inception three years ago, 45-65 students from over 20 different disciplinary majors have ROGER BURTON has been working for the CROSSING DISCIPLINES FOR CHANGE past 20 years as a systems change consultant annually participated in SUSTAIN-SLO. Next and change catalyst with many of the world’s year, the University has offered SUSTAIN-SLO As they consider the ways that STEM education largest corporations and organisations. His a dormitory for the 100 expected freshmen in the US can evolve, the team is clear that work has included the executive suite and the participants, so that the SUSTAIN experience any changes effected without considering the shop floor across a wide variety of industries can be a true living laboratory. mental models that created the status quo and endeavours. are likely to amplify the problems. “In order LINDA VANASUPA is a professor of materials to change the current dynamics around STEM THE CHALLENGES OF CHANGE engineering at the California Polytechnic State learning, we must collaborate in human systems University. She also serves as co-director of the Creating meaningful alternatives and change that extend beyond disciplinary boundaries,” Center for Sustainability in Engineering at Cal in US universities will be no mean feat, given Vanasupa concludes. Poly. Her life’s work is focused on creating ways of learning, living and being that are alternatives to the industrial era solutions.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 41 From laboratory to classroom

Dr Bradley Hoge coordinates the University of Houston-Downtown’s pioneering Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. With the goal of encouraging more science graduates to go into teaching, the Program is an important step towards improving science education in Texas

been cited. However, surveys of teachers through the Natural Sciences Department leaving the profession show that salary is not and teacher certification through the Urban ranked as the primary reason. They usually cite Education Department. The UHD-Noyce

DR BRADLEY HOGE a lack of cooperation with parents and school Program accepts students from the SA who are administration in dealing with student discipline, in either their junior or senior years. and a lack of control in their own curriculum. Students fulfil their obligations Why was the UHD-Noyce Teacher to the Program by participating Scholarship Program created for UHD in teacher training activities College of Science and Technology Scholars and research both during Academy (SA) members? the academic year and the summer. During The UHD-Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program the academic year, was designed to be an integral part of the UHD students participate in College of Sciences and Technology SA. The SA classroom observations at one of programme at UHD has dramatically increased our collaborating middle or high retention and graduation rates for science schools, work with children on majors at UHD, most notably among minority specific experimental exercises How did you become involved in STEM and female students. In each graduating class, and prepare an academic topic education? the numbers of students entering science- in science during their two years related fields, especially graduate schools and participation in the Program. Prior to beginning my PhD, I earned a post- professional schools, has steadily increased. UHD-Noyce students also baccalaureate teaching certification at Louisiana take part in up to two State University and taught for three years. I was Prior to the UHD-Noyce Program, students science education looking for a career in which I could use my skills occasionally entered alternative teacher conferences. and experience in both science and education – certification programmes to pursue teaching. when I saw the advertisement for the Director of Many others mentioned teaching as a future Houston Urban Network for STEM (HUNSTEM) career goal on department exit interviews. position at the University of Houston-Downtown Given the variety of activities related to science (UHD), I felt that it was a perfect fit. education already in place in the Natural Sciences Department and the SA, the UHD-Noyce Program HUNSTEM is an online learning community provided a great opportunity to increase the within the Natural Sciences Department at Department’s effort to bring more accomplished UHD. It works with schools, STEM professionals, science students into teaching careers. informal science centres and community leaders to identify the best STEM education resources, Students selected for the Scholarship programmes and opportunities in the greater Program are required to serve for two years Houston area, and acts as a liaison between at an at-risk secondary school for every year the STEM learning community and students, of scholarship support after earning their parents and classroom teachers. BSc from UHD. What is expected of them and why is this compulsory? How extensive is the lack of STEM teachers and what has led to this situation? Statistics show that the quality of teaching in urban and underprivileged schools is lagging The Texas Business and Education Coalition behind more affluent areas. The National (TBEC) commissioned a report that shows the Science Foundation (NSF) built into the call majority of science teachers in the State of for proposals the requirement that teachers Texas are teaching with provisional certification funded through Noyce commit to teaching in and are not properly certified to teach high-needs schools. NSF’s focus was one of the science. Furthermore, the Texas Closing the reasons this funding opportunity was attractive Gaps initiative reported that science teacher to UHD since we serve this community already. certifications declined by 23 per cent from 2011 to 2012, continuing a trend in the state. Which groups/individuals is the Scholarship Program specifically aimed at and what does While numerous studies have tried to identify it provide? causes for this situation, no one explanation has emerged as a satisfactory answer to why it The UHD-Noyce Program provides US $8,000 is so difficult to recruit and retain good STEM scholarships for students, along with a $2,700 teachers. Teacher salaries, especially compared stipend for summer research activities. to STEM salaries in other sectors, have often Participants pursue both a science degree 42 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION DR BRADLEY HOGE STEMing urban disadvantage

To improve the quality of education in Texas, the University of Houston-Downtown has launched the innovative UHD-Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program to nurture a bold generation of science teachers through an engaging and interactive curriculum

AFTER YEARS OF decline in science teacher TAKING RESEARCH TO THE CLASSROOM recruitment, the groundbreaking University of Houston-Downtown (UHD)-Noyce Teacher Students who receive the US $8,000 scholarship Scholarship Program stands set to better emerge from the Program with both a degree prepare science students for the world of from the Natural Sciences Department and a education. Scholarships are being provided to teaching qualification from the Urban Education 26 undergraduate science students at the UHD Department. An extra US $2,700 stipend ensures College of Science and Technology Scholars that the students are also able to carry out at Academy (SA) to prepare them for a career in least one semester of undergraduate research STEM education, and help urban schools in alongside their teacher training. The Program is desperate need of high-quality, free-thinking thus structured to provide participants with the teachers and support staff. tools they need to translate their experience as researchers into stimulating classroom material that will motivate and engage pupils. INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION Since its formation in 1999, the College of Over the course of their studies participants Science and Technology SA has received praise are encouraged to use their own research from across the State and the rest of the country knowledge and experience to create for its success in encouraging more minorities, materials for science lessons. For instance, females and first-generation college students undergraduate field research into wetland to undertake STEM degrees and pursue science- ecology has been subsequently adapted and based careers. The most recent initiative, developed by participants into interactive coordinated by Dr Bradley Hoge, Associate lessons for secondary school classrooms. This is Professor of Natural Science and Science facilitated by the fact that the Natural Sciences Education at UHD, brings together expertise from Department at UHD is home to both scientific both the Natural Sciences and Urban Education researchers and science education specialists. Departments at UHD, as well as middle schools “In this community of learners, the UHD-Noyce and high schools across the Aldine Independent Scholar benefits by participating as a ‘novice’ School District. The latter is an urban area of and learning first-hand about the challenges Houston where the majority of the population and rewards of teaching through participation are from minority ethnic backgrounds. in the classroom and in-depth discussions,” adds Hoge. Hoge believes that UHD science graduates are best suited to motivate school pupils in During their training, students also work with high-need areas: “Since many attended high- mentor teachers from associated middle and risk schools, they would most likely return to high schools to develop ways to make their these schools to teach,” he explains. Forming classes more hands-on and stimulating for part of the Houston Urban Network for STEM pupils. In term time they work with pupils and (HUNSTEM), the Program was therefore observe lessons while during the summer they designed to tackle three main areas of concern attend Teacher Enhancement Workshops, in science education in Houston. First, since which provide the opportunity for students the introduction of new standards requiring to collaborate with teachers to develop the pupils to study STEM subjects for four years, curriculum and make science learning more the need for highly qualified science teachers practical and engaging. Integrating research has increased. However, since recruitment and retention levels for science teachers have been UHD Noyce Scholar Claudia Turcios (far right) partici- falling for two years in a row, this became the pating in a workshop at the annual Noyce Conference in second focus area. This teacher deficit is most Washington DC, USA. keenly felt by high-need schools in urban areas, which generally have the largest proportion of pupils from minority communities, and as such the Network felt this should become the third area of investigation. This all serves to create specialists in their fields who can inspire young people to strive for careers in STEM subjects despite a disadvantaged background. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 43 INTELLIGENCE THE UHD NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM topics into the curriculum not only motivates students to perform well in their exams, but also OBJECTIVES exposes them to the real-world applications of To motivate minority and financially needy their science lessons; in doing so, students foster Over the course of their studies students by their middle/high school science talents and vested interests in STEM for further courses to pursue university degrees and study or a career within these domains. participants are encouraged to use careers that are science based. their own research knowledge and KEY COLLABORATORS A NEW PARADIGM IN SCIENCE EDUCATION experience to create materials for Larry Spears, original PI, Founder of University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) Scholars Given the achievements of the SA so far, the science lessons Adademy • Jon Aoki, Co-PI, Associate UHD-Noyce Program will no doubt make a Professor of Science Education, UHD • James considerable difference to science students Uzman, Co-PI, Interim Dean of the College of in Houston. The SA has awarded over 3,800 of how science is carried out since teachers Science and Technology, UHD • Anjoo Sikka, Project Evaluator, Dean of the Ella Cline Shear scholarships to primarily minority and can rely on templates rather than hands-on School of Education, State University of New female students since it was founded in 1999 experiences,” he emphasises. With a deficit York at Geneseo and this new scheme will build on this progress. of teachers with science backgrounds, many It creates a feedback loop between pupils in pupils lose interest in the subject before they PARTNERS the classrooms of high-needs schools and reach secondary school. Increasing the number UHD Departments of Natural Science and science graduates from the same milieu to of positive role models that emphasise the Urban Education boost the number of young people who would practical applications of scientific knowledge otherwise not consider a career in science due to and engender a more informal, experimental Aldine Independent School District (a minority dominant urban district in Houston) their lack of confidence and/or restricted access approach to science lessons aims to change to learning. pupils’ perceptions of science, in particular the The Harmony Academy of Science damaging idea that boys are more suited to The Houston Urban Network for Science, However, it is difficult to overstate the scale STEM subjects than girls. Technology, Engineering and Mathematics of the problem the UHD-Noyce Program is (HUMSTEM) taking on. Despite the rapid diversification of There is still a long way to go, but it is extremely the population of the US, 70 per cent of the encouraging that those who have already FUNDING American STEM workers are white, with African- completed the scheme have found themselves National Science Foundation – award no. Americans and Hispanics collectively accounting in high demand for jobs and workshops, 0934913 for <5 per cent. Hoge is certainly under no reporting high levels of satisfaction overall. CONTACT illusion about the scale of the inequality, but The UHD-Noyce Program is cementing the remains positive about the fact that change can UHD’s reputation as a committed institution, Dr Brad Hoge be made through the new hands-on approach seeking to serve the needs of all in its diverse Associate Professor of Natural Science to science education promoted by the UHD- community. By strengthening links between and Science Education Department of Noyce Program: “The limited science that is the University’s science departments and the Natural Science taught in elementary schools focuses too much region’s science classrooms, the scheme is set University of Houston-Downtown on rote memorisation (repetition) of content to overhaul science education in Houston and One Main Street and incomplete and inaccurate demonstrations cultivate a new generation of budding scientists. Houston, Texas 77004-1001, USA T +1 713 221 8289 UHD Noyce students Jesus Zepeda, Dulce Guevara and E [email protected] Natalie Yacovodonato show off their artwork from a field trip with the Artist Boat during the 2011 Noyce Summer Environmental Science Workshop. BRAD HOGE is a science educator as well as a scientist, which happened purely by accident and has helped him fill a niche role at UHD.

Hoge is Associate Professor of Ecology and Science Education, and Director of HUNSTEM, the Houston Urban Network for STEM, a learning community for teachers, students, parents and STEM professionals. These two roles allow Hoge to liaise between the community and scientists, build collaborations and facilitate relationships, all while educating the next generation of scientists and science teachers. He also mentors students in the UHD Scholars Academy, and conducts research on the ecological succession of mitigationed wetlands. His teaching style is hands-on, project-based learning and involves field experience, which the students love.

44 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION New rules of engagement

Following training as a research scientist and then a teacher, Dr Chantal Pouliot turned her

attention to improving the way in which people engage with science education. Her work promises DR CHANTALPOULIOT to improve how science is taught by involving those whose voices would normally be excluded

social actors. To do this I used a variety of the management of SSIs and demonstrate methodological tools including individual that they have interesting ideas, which can be interviews, focus groups and questionnaires. built upon to help them teach science. Instead of focusing on what they don’t know (the My PhD student, Audrey Groleau, conducted ‘deficit model’), I use the French notion of a study in which she used a game, PlayDecide ‘relationship to knowledge’ (in French, rapport (www.playdecide.eu) to discuss how pre- au savoir) to propose a positive interpretation service teachers manage the controversial of their reflections on a topic. issues surrounding the developing field of nanotechnologies. She discovered that her Where will you focus your professional participants held diverse views about the roles efforts over the next few years? scientists and citizens should play. For example, some think scientists should both inform I plan to investigate more SSIs and utilise citizens and make decisions relating to this novel methodologies to understand pre- field. Other participants believe that citizens service teachers’ points of view. I will work are able to make those decisions and should with teachers from all levels of education do so, or at least participate in the decision- on pedagogical activities related to SSIs. I making process in collaboration with scientists, am also working with preschool and primary Could you outline your professional engineers and politicians. Groleau’s approach to teachers to identify new ways for children to background and primary research interests? this issue was very instructive and innovative. explore science and art simultaneously.

After my first degree in biology, I worked What have you discovered about the as a research professional in entomology. perspectives of pre-service teachers in regard Following this, I attained a certificate to teach to the development and management of at college level and became a biology teacher. present and future socioscientific challenges? This gave me the opportunity to teach a variety of different programmes including It is now commonplace in science education sciences, humanities, nursing and dietetics. I for teachers working in class with SSIs to completed my PhD while working as a teacher focus on fostering scientific literacy so that and obtained a professorship a few months young people can familiarise themselves with before my thesis defence. science in action; develop their evaluative capacity; make decisions concerning My primary research interests concern the controversial sociotechnical issues; and ways in which science education can help take part in discussions based upon relevant to develop citizens who are active and sociotechnical controversies. competent with regards to the development of science and technology. My studies show that science students and pre-service teachers What does your science education research are able to talk coherently programme entail and what challenges are about technoscientific issues you hoping to address within this field? – the constitution of research collectives, for example, as well The teaching of socioscientific issues (SSIs) has as the dissemination and use of not yet emerged as the natural place to focus results. They have also presented attention when it comes to the sociopolitical some interesting ways to manage management of such issues. I think that controversies via different kinds of science education should incorporate a critical public engagement. One point is view of the dominant discourse concerning the clear: for many, public participation roles and capacities of citizens in particular. in the management of scientific We have to stop seeing citizens as ignorant controversies constitutes a way of and disengaged people. limiting the risks of political and technoscientific misadventures such as Can you give some examples of your corruption and biased representation research projects and describe how they of important issues. were conducted? What have been the project’s I wanted to investigate how science students proudest achievements to date? and pre-service teachers make sense of their relationships with scientific experts It’s important to illustrate that and interpret the roles and capacities of pre-service teachers understand WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 45 DR CHANTAL POULIOT Power to the people

A unique project from Laval University seeks to establish the viewpoints of prospective teachers concerning their attitudes to scientific experts in part of a broader research programme into the way socioscientific issues are handled in society

TO MANY, THE world of science can seem is a long way off. What is needed is a set of new A demonstration of these principles in action, somewhat inaccessible – either due to the tools with which to approach these matters in and of people power driving the advancement complexity of the subject matter it deals science classes. of science, comes from Pouliot’s home province with or the apparently elitist nature of the of Québec. In 2012, a Québec City resident, systems that underpin it. This situation is Véronique Lalande, noticed a red dust coating CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT entirely understandable, and yet science lies the outside of her windows while at home on at the heart of so many issues that affect Since completing her PhD in 2007, Pouliot maternity leave. She had samples of the dust people on a daily basis. While scientists are has been developing a research programme analysed and found that it contained high in a position to make informed decisions aimed at contributing to science education and concentrations of carcinogenic nickel, prompting regarding complex matters, it is suggested, in citizenship, with a view to enrich the way SSIs are her to push for increased awareness of the issue many fields of research, that citizens should managed. Her research has focused particularly and measures to combat these pollutants. Some have some role in technoscientific affairs on air pollution, cellular phones, biotechnology of her wishes were eventually granted, but along which affect them personally. and nanotechnology – all controversial issues the way she met many obstacles from political that have sparked much interest and debate in representatives not used to accepting the input Perhaps science education holds the key to the public sphere, and have a tangible effect on of non-experts. It is these obstacles that Pouliot’s greater participation by the public; after all, the entire population. work aims to break down. more confident citizens would be in a better position to contribute to decision-making An innovative aspect of Pouliot’s work is her use processes regarding science policy. Dr Chantal of theoretical tools from other research fields Pouliot from Laval University, Canada, sees such as public understanding of science, science an increased focus on socioscientific issues and technology studies, and political philosophy. The truth is that the (SSIs) in education as a crucial step towards Studies previously conducted in these areas to improved management of such issues. “The ascertain the public’s capacity when it comes to democratisation of SSIs that could concepts of participation and deliberation have scientific dialogue have frequently demonstrated been given strong symbolic weight in science ample engagement abilities. Skillsets assumed potentially arise from an increased education,” she explains, but is sure to stress to be the preserve of experienced researchers the word ‘symbolic’. “In point of fact, although have proven to be perfectly comprehensible focus on their teaching is a long such methods are highly valued in everyday to regular people; these include defining what way off. What is needed is a set of political discourse, they are not always taken constitutes a problem, establishing research seriously in government action.” The truth is the protocols, producing legitimate knowledge new tools with which to approach democratisation of SSIs that could potentially and critically comparing uncertainties and risks arise from an increased focus on their teaching accompanying SSIs. these matters in science classes

46 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE PORTRAIT OF FUTURE TEACHERS ENROLLED IN THE ONLY PRE-UNIVERSITY PROGRAM IN EDUCATION IN QUÉBEC’S RELATIONSHIPS TO SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS OBJECTIVES To understand the way students and prospective science teachers picture the management of socioscientific issues and conceive of the roles, capacities and legitimacy of the social actors concerned. The project is also interested in their relationships to scientific experts. Research conducted here draws on the analyses and DIFFERENT MODELS FOR findings of science studies, public understanding DIFFERENT APPROACHES of science and political philosophy.

When it comes to examining citizen-scientist KEY COLLABORATORS interactions, three models (described by Michel Researchers: Steve Alsop; Larry Bencze; Lyn Callon, a French researcher in the field of science Carter; Ralph Levinson; Isabel Martins; studies) are generally utilised, each of which Matthew Weinstein; Richard Gagnon; Vincent takes a different approach to the relative roles of Richard; Thérèse Laferrière each group in the socioscientific decision-making Teachers: Jean-François Maltais (biology); process. The deficit model is so-called because it Dominique Thibault; Christine Veilleux (social assumes that citizens have a deficit of knowledge sciences); Dominique Bouffard; Guy Blouin; when it comes to comprehending matters students. As such, they are crucial social actors Marika Panci (building mechanics); Martin relating to science. As such, this approach whose actions can have far-reaching effects. Dumas; Jérome Fachon (civil engineering); gives a highly asymmetric distribution of the Catherine Rhéaume; Stéphan Gaumont-Guay right to voice opinions, favouring the scientific It is this way of thinking that has led Pouliot (physics), Cégep Limoilou community, who are seen as the social actors in to her main body of work, a unique study into the best positions to influence major SSIs. This the opinions of pre-university students who FUNDING is by far the most widespread model used when are also prospective primary and secondary Social Sciences and Humanities Research managing such issues. school teachers. This information was gathered Council, Canada by distributing Views on Science-Technology- The public debate model seeks equality in terms Society (VOSTS) open questionnaires to many Research Fund of Québec – Society and of representation of the two groups’ viewpoints. groups of pre-service teachers to garner their Culture (FRQSC) Citizens and scientists are allowed to interact views on the roles that citizens, scientists, Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science in public discussions, wherein citizens can form industry and government should play in deciding and Technology of Québec subgroups to voice their opinions and hopefully the outcome of SSIs. The results were intriguing influence those of the scientists. While the flow – the students tended to view scientists as the CONTACT of communication has now become bidirectional best people to be making decisions, and in this Dr Chantal Pouliot – a development from the unidirectional respect, conformed almost universally to the Project Coordinator deficit model – the ultimate input still comes deficit model. However, there were some key exclusively from the scientific community. points which suggest a need for a shift in the Pavilion Educational Sciences, local 1166 2320, rue des Bibliothèques systems currently in place – primarily the idea Laval University The third major approach is the coproduction held by many that there should be transparency Québec G1V 0A6 of the knowledge model, which is characterised from scientists when decisions are being made Canada by the full incorporation of citizens ideas and regarding SSIs. There was also a lot of emphasis knowledge into the discussion, and also a placed on the role that education should have – T +1 418 656 2131 substantial input into final political outcomes. many participants suggested that the scientists’ E [email protected] This model relies on at least some members of role should include educating the public about the public to be equipped with the expertise and SSIs that were liable to affect them personally. CHANTAL POULIOT studied biology (BSc, cognitive abilities to bring something new to the Overall, the view these pre-service teachers had 1997), literature (MA, 2001), science teaching discourse, as well as providing a fresh perspective of the public was as ‘concerned watchdogs’. (CEC, 2001) and science education (PhD, on the pertinent issues being discussed. Pouliot 2007). She worked as a research professional believes the incorporation of political notions Pouliot’s vision is for an education system (1997-2002) and teacher of biology from and considerations into the classroom could lead which actively encourages involvement in SSIs, 2000-07. Pouliot published work in Science to a decisive change in the way SSIs are dealt and to achieve this she has extended her work Education, Research in Science Education, and with and a shift away from the deficit model. The to include various other assessment methods. the International Journal of Environmental and Science Education. She wrote a chapter tools that she uses in her research represent the Aside from these studies, she also works directly in Activist Science & Technology Education first steps towards such change. with teachers to provide them with the tools to (Springer, Eds L Bencze and S Alsop, 2014) and is promote academic persistence. One aspect of an editorial board member of Cultural Studies in this work is her ‘Teaching values at the college PROSPECTIVE TEACHER PERSPECTIVES Science Education. level’ project, in which her team has developed Given the perceived importance of education to eight novel activities that can be incorporated encourage debate and involvement in scientific into existing science courses, with a broad issues, it is surprising that no prior research goal of giving meaning to college students’ has been done to establish the viewpoints of education. At a time when curriculum reform the teachers on the different actors concerned is being widely discussed, Pouliot’s focus on the by SSIs. When discussing controversial issues promotion of values and interaction suggest in a classroom, the way a teacher approaches an intriguing new direction for the science the subject is bound to have an effect on their education system. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 47 ANALYSIS

CLOSING THE STEM The gap between the numbers of STEM jobs versus the number GAP of highly skilled professionals ready to fulfil these positions is a problem that appears to be growing. International Innovation examines how industries and governments are adapting to meet the needs of an increasingly technological world

48 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS

DESPITE THE DESIRE for and promotion of the knowledge and competitive on the world stage, Canada and the US need to economy, there are significant discrepancies in the expertise attract the finest scientific minds from across the globe. required to support project expansions in technology-based industries. In the US there is already an estimated 3 million unfilled Bringing in larger numbers of foreign workers is proving problematic STEM jobs, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates in the US, whose immigration policies have been widely criticised that 8,654,000 STEM jobs will exist in 2018; a growth of 17 per as archaic and out-of-touch with market demands. Only 65,000 cent from 2008, which is significantly higher than the 9.8 per H-1B visas for skilled workers are allotted annually, an amount that cent growth rate predicted in non-STEM jobs over the same is quickly exhausted. In 2013, the available H-1Bs were all allocated time period. However, the number of STEM-trained workers within just five days. Restrictive immigration policies often force is not rising fast enough to meet these figures, meaning that foreign students educated in the US – who comprise 60 per cent governments and industries have to get creative in making up for of the US graduate school student body – to return to their native the shortfall. countries upon graduating rather than allowing them to stay and contribute to the local economy. In addition, H-1B visas are frequently Outreach work aimed at encouraging more young people to pursue criticised as being burdensome for employers and workers as they STEM pathways in schools and higher education institutions are only temporary solutions and are associated with high query is already underway, but such efforts will have slow-burning rates and long consular delays. Obtaining permanent residency for outcomes, with their impact only visible a long way into the future. foreign-born workers is even more challenging: recent reports show Several more immediate solutions have emerged, however, to fill the that an Indian-born software engineer currently faces a waiting time interim and stymie the pressing STEM skill shortage. of at least a decade before they can obtain an employment-based third preference (EB-3) green card. SHAKING UP INDUSTRY The Immigration Innovation Act of 2013 (also known as I-Squared), Many STEM companies are increasingly working in collaboration which has received backing from inSPIRE STEM USA, a coalition with schools and higher education facilities to provide candidates of more than 40 leading business and education organisations, will with the tools to succeed and by engaging with students, who reform existing immigration policy. I-Squared uses a two-pronged are often unclear of their career options, these initiatives inspire approach to allow skilled foreign workers to enter the US in line graduates to pursue STEM careers. For example, the recent US with economic demands, and increase education funding for Department of Defence-sponsored partnership between PPG STEM students within the US. This additional funding will come Industries and the University of Akron, which has resulted in the directly from the fees paid by companies that require visas. Notable creation of a degree in corrosion engineering – the first of its kind supporters of the reform include Facebook founder and CEO Mark in the US – to enable PPG Industries to recruit graduates with Zuckerberg, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt and Yahoo the requisite knowledge and skillsets for their needs. Internship, CEO Marissa Mayer. mentoring and summer school opportunities for students remain a stable way for employers to select and train future employees, but Whilst I-Squared was still in the discussion stages at the time of press, these new partnerships between industry and academia are proving Canada has already successfully attracted and welcomed foreign to be even greater at expanding the technical workforce. Even at an skilled workers, by placing adverts online and around Silicon Valley to early age, children should be exposed to emerging STEM subjects entice STEM professionals to consider pursuing careers in Canada by and career opportunities. Industry engagement, be it through site highlighting the special tax treatment, permanent residency and new visits, interactive workshops or presentations, has the capacity start-up visas available to new immigrants upon arrival. to influence the paths they choose to take and foster talents of promising young scientists and engineers. THE HIDDEN STEM ECONOMY But until this generation reaches maturity, companies are Around half of the jobs available in STEM industries do not require increasingly opting to hire less qualified workers who show a bachelor’s degree. These jobs, which are particularly abundant potential so they can develop them through a combination of crash in the construction, installation, manufacturing and healthcare courses and mentorship schemes. Many have also established industries, constitute the ‘hidden STEM economy’ – so-called due continuous in-house development programmes and training to the fact that it is an area often ignored in both policy discussion opportunities which, by better enabling professional growth within and funding allocation. In the US, only one-fifth of federal funding the company, reduce the need to recruit more qualified candidates spent on STEM education and training goes towards sub- externally at a later stage. bachelor’s level training, and community colleges rarely receive funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). In line with such strategies, industry is eschewing traditional recruitment strategies in favour of a ‘skills-based’ hiring model, A recent Brookings Report entitled ‘The Hidden STEM Economy’ which focuses on the practical skills and strengths required for highlighted this oversight as a significant opportunity for governments a role and matches these against applicant profiles. Those who to boost their economies and fill vacancies. Justin Rothwell, the have had success using this recruitment model have posited report’s author, states that the persistence of this narrow professional that the STEM gap may, in part, be an illusion, as often there is a definition of STEM has: “Neglected cheaper and more widely fundamental mismatch between how companies select candidates available pathways through community colleges and even technical and how candidates present their skills. A skills-based hiring model high schools. Because the focus has been on professional STEM means employers are finding candidates that meet their criteria in jobs, a number of potentially useful interventions have been ignored”. places they would not ordinarily have looked. Given that only around one-third of Americans and 22 per cent of Canadians have bachelor’s degrees, an emphasis on providing new MIGRATING MINDS pathways into the STEM could significantly enhance capacity to not Immigration policies are coming under sharp scrutiny in light of the only develop new technologies but also diversify the workforce and urgent need for workers to fill the STEM gap. To remain innovative the opportunities available now and for a long time to come.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 49 Collaborate to integrate

Dr Maryam Foroozesh reveals how the NSF’s I-Cubed programme is encouraging higher educational institutions to make fundamental changes in teaching by adopting a culture of collaboration

Could you offer an overview of the Xavier University of Louisiana provides the information and resources by bringing together Innovation through Institutional Integration backdrop for your research. Could you tell us various STEM departments, support offices and (I-Cubed or I3) programme? more about this establishment? freshman-directed programmes.

The I3 programme aims to ease the transition Our University is a historically black, Catholic What innovative resources are offered to DR MARYAM FOROOZESH DR MARYAM of STEM students from high school through institution that is nationally recognised for freshman students at Xavier? their first year of college. The programme its STEM curricula. During the past decade, has focused its efforts on improving the University has ranked first nationally in There are a number of programmes and instruction and integrating various STEM the number of African American students services available to freshman students programmes on campus, while the ultimate earning undergraduate degrees in biology, through Xavier’s Student Academic Success goal is to increase retention and success of chemistry, physics and the physical sciences. Office (SASO). SASO’s mission is to provide underrepresented minorities in the STEM Despite Xavier’s advances in this area, African academic support, and guidance, and improve disciplines and careers. Americans still earn less than 10 per cent of the retention and graduation rates for those the bachelor’s degrees, less than 7 per cent students. These services include the Student of the master’s degrees, and less than 3 per Success Academy (SSA), the Building Optimum cent of the doctoral degrees conferred in Outcomes Skills Training (BOOST) workshop, STEM disciplines across the nation. Due to the Building Lifelong Academic Skills Training Xavier’s great reputation in STEM disciplines, (BLAST) intervention programme, and a Key to the University attracts many of the brightest Success workshop series. In addition to these, and most motivated students, however, it the students have access to resource centres is also dedicated to providing education to and supplemental instruction opportunities. students with weak backgrounds – who come Furthermore, the Center for the Advancement from underperforming public school systems of Teaching (CAT) offers training workshops to and have received substandard preparation in the faculty members in the best pedagogical STEM disciplines. practices, and use of the latest technology in their classrooms. In what capacity did your professional background prepare you for this project? Will the project support participants at each stage as they move from undergraduate I am an organic chemist with over 20 years of school into graduate programmes, and teaching experience. I truly value and enjoy subsequently, their professional careers? teaching and interacting with the students. I have also been very active in research and This programme mainly focuses on the have mentored 75 of Xavier’s students to freshman year, but by retaining students and date in various funded research projects. In assisting them in being successful in their STEM addition, I have been fortunate enough to courses, it helps pave the way for success in work with great colleagues at the University STEM undergraduate and graduate courses. for 19 years and benefit from their wisdom, experience and collaboration. How important is an interdisciplinary approach in your team? By what means is I3 addressing the unpreparedness in Xavier’s STEM Before I3, the innovative and productive freshmen population? programmes involving our STEM students were operating mostly in isolation from each other. At Xavier, we are deeply mission-driven The same was true for the many pedagogical and believe in providing a chance for activities and initiatives within the different students who would not be considered STEM departments. Through I3, we have been by many other universities to receive a able to bring everyone together for open college education. The I3 programme dialogue and interaction, leading to inter- and has focused on STEM freshman-level intra-departmental collaborations. The two- course improvement and development week summer pedagogical workshops and projects, and has funded a number biweekly Science Education Research Group of mini-grants for faculty members (SERG) meetings have brought the faculty from to devote time and effort to these STEM departments together to discuss their important projects. The programme pedagogical issues and initiatives, and to share has also bridged the silos of their failures and successes.

50 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION DR MARYAM FOROOZESH

Smooth transitions

At Xavier University of Louisiana, faculty and staff are working together to create a learning environment that assists their students in the transition from high school through the first year of college, including those who have not been adequately prepared for the rigours of higher education

SINCE THE 1950s, the National Science The I3 initiative at Xavier University of Louisiana, STEM, the I3 team is aware that challenges in Foundation (NSF) has funded many projects is a five-year programme now in its fourth higher education, for example, students not with the aim of advancing the general progress year. Around 70 per cent of Xavier’s students receiving adequate training in high school, still of sciences in the US. With an annual budget major in the sciences and the University is one remain. “The general unpreparedness of college of US $7 billion, roughly 11,000 limited-term of the country’s top institutions for producing freshman is not just a Xavier problem, but a grants are awarded each year to research graduates who go on to receive MDs and PhDs in national one,” states Foroozesh. Integrating the institutes and academia. In a drive to maximise sciences. With a strong commitment to enrolling various awarded grants across campus toward a the outcomes of such projects, the NSF students without prior access to the educational common goal not only benefits the students, but launched the Innovation through Institutional resources required for a solid grounding in the also changes the prevalent educational culture Integration (I-Cubed or I3) initiative in 2009 STEM disciplines, Xavier’s I3 programme aims to at its core. By creating strategies that exploit the to ensure that the progress made under ease the students’ transition from high school interconnectedness of these projects, it becomes various awarded grants can continue beyond through freshman year. a necessity for individuals, offices, departments, the funding terms. To make this possible, and divisions to collaborate more effectively so academic staff working in higher education that the concepts established at Xavier can be A NETWORK OF SUPPORT are encouraged by the NSF to work out ways shared nationwide. in which complementary projects can be Directing the ‘Critical Juncture: STEM Educational integrated to increase their value, productivity Innovations Driven by Holistic, Integrative To assist freshmen, a number of workshops and and scope. To achieve these goals, I3 is aiming Evaluation Systems’ programme at Xavier is Dr developmental courses have been implemented to encourage broader participation in the Maryam Foroozesh, Head of the Department at Xavier which are intended to offer solutions for sciences through a programme dedicated to of Chemistry and Chair of the Division of a variety of educational challenges, with one-on- making STEM more accessible and attractive Mathematical and Physical Sciences. In spite one guidance from a dedicated faculty member to the US’s young and underserved. of the University’s excellent track record in where necessary. Based on strategies which have

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 51 INTELLIGENCE been proven to boost academic performance, with an aim to improve student engagement students in developmental mathematics, and problem solving abilities. The addition of INNOVATION THROUGH reading, and English courses can benefit from an online problem solving videos to the general INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRATION intervention programme that provides essential chemistry course sequence has shown that OBJECTIVES mentoring and tutoring to those lacking the core students with access to this content had a skills needed to flourish in higher-education. higher pass rate than those without, a result Xavier’s I-Cubed project focuses on These are delivered in group or individual sessions. hoped to be replicated in the practical lessons improving instruction at the freshman level, Though remedial courses are designed for those as technical lab videos are currently being and implementing a culture of collaboration most in need, open workshops for the entire produced. Most importantly, these learning aids and open dialogue between the different STEM departments. student body are also in place at Xavier to help are not simplifying the courses to improve the improve areas such as study and test taking, and University’s pass rates, but providing students KEY COLLABORATORS to impart useful tips for academic success in with engaging ways to pick up analytical skills Dr Loren Blanchard, PI (Provost and Senior general. More than just academic improvement, such as critical thinking. A new emphasis on Vice President for Academic Affairs); Dr these workshops and programmes aim to increase problem solving in the statistics course, for Ronald Durnford, Co-PI (Vice President performance and confidence at a personal and example, actually increases the workload. for Planning, Institutional Research and professional level to ensure that postgraduates “The modifications that made the coursework Assessment); Dr Elizabeth Hammer, Co-PI leave the University well prepared for successful more demanding did not adversely affect the (Director for the Center for the Advancement careers and leadership positions. For students who pass rate for the course,” explains Foroozesh, of Teaching); Mr Jacques Detiege, Assessment require extra assistance, tutoring and resource a development which has led to considerable Specialist; Dr Tiera Coston, Educational centres are available with professional and changes across all sections. Improvement Specialist; Ms Amy Billizon, Program Coordinator; Dr Vaneshette student tutors who have already completed the course with an A grade and are especially trained Henderson, Assistant Dean, Student JOINING FORCES Academic Success Office; Dr Antoinette Rose for their teaching role. This teaching experience Shaw, External Evaluator simultaneously helps them to improve their own One of the most significant undertakings personal and professional skills. has been the decision to incorporate calculus FUNDING into computer science and vice versa in an National Science Foundation, Innovation effort to develop problem-solving skills in a MODULAR MODIFICATIONS through Institutional Integration, Grant multidisciplinary context. Students enrolled in number HRD-0963641 (June 1, 2010-May Xavier’s I3 programme has focused on enhancing either of these pilot courses have been able to 31, 2015) freshman-year STEM courses and integrating broaden their abilities as a result and become CONTACT the various STEM academic year programmes. accustomed to the reality that most subjects Though in many cases, the modifications made impart skills that are rarely used in isolation. Dr Maryam Foroozesh to the courses are either ongoing or too recent Although it is too early to glean definite Project Director to provide enough data for analysis, there are results from the implementation of these pilot Xavier University of Louisiana early signs of promise among the changes courses, preliminary data suggest that the pass 1 Drexel Dr afforded by the I3 mini-grants. In developmental rates for calculus and computer science have New Orleans, Louisiana 70125 mathematics, for example, a move away from been maintained. USA standardised textbooks toward a tailored T +1 504 520 5078 workbook written by faculty members has Xavier’s I3 programme shows remarkably E [email protected] increased the pass rate from 50 to 70 per cent. positive results so far for its students and faculty members. Communication has been at the core MARYAM FOROOZESH, Co-PI and Project of I3’s principals because of the wider benefits Director for the I–Cubed grant, is currently that departmental interlinking has for student serving as the Chair of the Division of and institutional success. With various mini-grant Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Head The general unpreparedness of projects still underway, the programme’s final of the Department of Chemistry at Xavier year will see their completion and analysis of a full University. She received her undergraduate college freshman is not just a evaluation on how effective this programme has degree in chemistry from the Louisiana State been at Xavier. If the early data are an accurate University and her PhD in Organic Chemistry Xavier problem, but a national one indicator of what is to come, the primary goal will from Tulane University. She is in her 20th year of service at the University. be retaining the successes accomplished beyond Through I3 funding, significant modifications the programme’s conclusion so that high school LOREN BLANCHARD, PI for the I-Cubed have also been made in chemistry, statistics, students may continue to benefit from a smooth grant, is the Provost and Senior Vice President calculus, computer science and physics courses transition through their freshman year. for Academic Affairs at Xavier University of Louisiana. Blanchard earned an undergraduate degree in speech pathology at Xavier, a master’s degree in educational administration © Mr Irving Johnson, III at McNeese State University, and a doctorate University Photographer and Media Specialist in educational psychology at the University of Georgia. Before coming to Xavier, he held administrative positions in the University of Louisiana System and at Louisiana State University’s Health Sciences Center. Over the past five years, he has been Xavier’s chief academic officer.

52 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Opening doors to a bright future PROFESSOR KIMBERLEY COUSINS PROFESSOR Professor Kimberley Cousins directs a programme based in California that helps outstanding students from economically-disadvantaged areas graduate from challenging STEM degree courses

obligations such as caring for family members, In addition, our scholars show remarkable and some have started families of their own. student engagement throughout their studies, These students need support and guidance; including about two-thirds participating in someone telling them it is a worthwhile goal to undergraduate research and/or internships. succeed in STEM. Would you like to recognise any individuals The MASS initiative supports scholars in that have been a part of MASS’s success? variety of ways. Could you discuss some of its benefits? MASS mentors are teaching faculty as well as campus leaders: several have won In addition to scholarship support, which college teaching, scholarship and service alleviates the need for additional hours awards. Outstanding mentors include Paul of employment or increased debt load for Dixon, a Department Chair who was named many, the MASS programme offers scholars Outstanding Professor (highest overall a personal mentor in their major department. campus award) in 2006, Joan Fryxell, head of This mentor serves as the primary academic the graduate programme in Environmental and professional advisor for the scholar Sciences; Douglas Smith and Laura Wallace throughout his or her undergraduate career. who have headed the College and/or University Curricular Committees. Haiyan Qiao’s ‘Yeti- Could you outline your scholarship Students have to select and participate in vision’ robotics development and Tomasz programme at the College of Natural two co-curricular and professional activities Owerkowicz’s alligator studies, have received Sciences at California State University, each academic term, and the mentor both external news coverage. All of the mentors are San Bernardino? suggests activities and monitors participation. active in research or field studies with students. Many of our students do not see the value of Our Mathematics and Science Scholars (MASS) participating in clubs, attending seminars and Historically Hispanic-serving and minority programme, funded primarily by the S-STEM workshops, or pursuing undergraduate research institutions have strong rates of retention and Scholarship initiative, targets high-achieving or internships. Having MASS nudge them to graduation of underrepresented students. This freshman and transfer students. We provide participate greatly enhances their educational appears to be linked to strong cohort support support through mentoring, like-minded peers, experience, and a number of reluctant among students with similar backgrounds, as and co-curricular and professional preparation freshmen scholars have become enthusiastic well as a culture that respects and nurtures activities to ensure their success. participants who surpass minimum programme all students. Thus the National Science requirements. In addition, the programme Foundation (NSF) and others have a vested Our campus is a Hispanic serving/minority provides priority registration for classes, which interest in supporting students attending institution, in which no racial or ethnic group is combined with academic advising from the these institutions. With state support declining a majority, and the scholars selected each year mentors, ensures that scholars remain on track in the past decade, grants like the S-STEM mirror our population. Our ultimate goal is to for graduation. programme are even more impactful. graduate well-prepared baccalaureate students from STEM departments who will contribute To what extent has the MASS scholars to the economic improvement of the Inland programme been a success? Empire of Southern California. Of the more than 90 scholars who have been What are some of the hindrances to STEM supported by S-STEM funds, or local stipends education that economically-disadvantaged for students without financial need, about half students often encounter? have graduated and continued their education or employment in STEM or related fields. Students from low income families are almost Combined with 34 continuing scholars who always the first in their families to attend have maintained our high academic standards, college. They often don’t know what support and seven more who have switched to health is available to them, and thus don’t take fields or continued toward graduation in STEM advantage of the tools needed for success. without MASS support, our retention and graduation rates are impressive. Our times to First generation college students often lack graduation are less than five years on average support from home for essentials, such as quiet for first time freshmen, and less than three time to study and reflect, funds for books and years on average for transfer students, lower technology, and time to participate in activities than the campus average in all majors, let outside of class. Many students also take on alone STEM majors.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 53 PROFESSOR KIMBERLEY COUSINS Fast tracking success in STEM

The MASS programme at the California State University, San Bernardino seeks to contribute to a healthier economic future for the Inland Empire of Southern California by helping science and technology students realise their potential

THE INLAND EMPIRE of Southern California, Despite its inauspicious socioeconomic STEM departments at the College of Natural situated east of the Los Angeles metropolitan environment, the California State University, Sciences: Biology, Geology, Mathematics, area, was a centre of agriculture in the 19th San Bernardino (CSUSB) – motto ‘Come here, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics, and the Century, with vineyards and orange groves go anywhere’ – a Hispanic-serving/minority School of Computer Science and Engineering. Of that stretched for miles; it is now a densely- institution, has consistently collected accolades the scholars that have stayed the course, about populated conurbation and industrial area for excellence in business and STEM education a third are still completing their studies and half that, with high unemployment and low wages, over the last decade. In recognition of the have already graduated: “34 of our graduates is also the fastest growing region of California. financial, social and academic disadvantages are now continuing their STEM education or University attendance in the area is low that affect the graduation prospects of some are employed in related fields,” explains Dr and many high school graduates who wish students, the Mathematics and Science Scholars Kimberley Cousins, Professor of Chemistry at to undertake further education come from (MASS) programme has been underway at the CSUSB, the programme Director. households where English is a second language CSUSB College of Natural Sciences since 2007 and this alone can be a disadvantage. Students to help students who display promise and wish KEY ELEMENTS OF SUPPORT IN MASS are also likely to be the first members of their to enter into a four-year course in a STEM field families to attend university and as such will to graduate successfully. With funding from the The MASS programme provides academic and generally lack family support, knowledge of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships professional support, as well as financial aid. system and understanding of what assistance for STEM programme, MASS has so far provided Scholars are selected for the programme based is available to them. support to more than 90 scholars in the six on an assessment of their potential when they

54 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION apply for the University after high school or scholars in MASS, so that they are able to enrol INTELLIGENCE upon transfering from a two-year course of in the classes that they need to take to graduate MATURATION OF AN S-STEM study at a Community College. In all but one – in effect, fast tracking the graduation of these SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME AT case, every student offered the opportunity to high achievers. join the programme has accepted. Based on A HISPANIC SERVING/MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION financial need, a scholar can receive financial Although the financial incentive is often the aid of up to US $5,000 a year; some not in initial attraction, personal mentoring, priority OBJECTIVES financial need may be allocated small stipends. registration and co-curricular opportunities are generally cited by scholars as the most valuable • To recruit talented freshmen and transfer Each student is assigned a dedicated aspects of MASS. Among all the elements students departmental faculty mentor, who then helps at play – the natural abilities of scholars • To provide mentor, cohort and academic them to schedule their studies to ensure themselves, support from faculty mentors to support to promote the scholars’ continued timely graduation and oversees their academic motivate scholars to establish valuable personal academic success progress and performance in linked co- and professional networks and expand their curricular activities. The mentor also ensures horizons through co-curricular activities, and • To promote co-curricular activities for scholars are provided with the resources priority registration – the primary contribution scholars to develop as STEM professionals necessary to achieve their academic goals or to the success of MASS is the central role of the • To graduate well-prepared candidates for to undertake research and travel, and counsels mentor. “There are over 1,800 undergraduates employment or graduate study in STEM them on options for professional careers or in our six departments; without an assigned further study after graduation. faculty mentor, it would be easy to get lost in PARTNERS the crowd,” Cousins exemplifies. College of Natural Sciences at California Within the programme, it is mandatory that State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) each scholar commits to participation in NEW HOPE FOR THE INLAND EMPIRE • San Bernardino County High Schools at least two co-curricular activities each • Riverside County High Schools • quarter. These include such activities as Of the 90 scholars who have been supported CoyoteCareers Title V grant programme tutoring; attending seminars, professional within the MASS programme, 70 per cent have from the US Department of Education meetings, workshops or MASS-sponsored been the first from their families to attend events; or undertaking undergraduate research university; nearly 50 per cent have been of FUNDING or STEM internships. Three MASS-sponsored Hispanic heritage and more than 50 per cent events are held each year, providing an women. The average time taken by scholars National Science Foundation, S-STEM opportunity for scholars to meet while learning to graduate has been significantly lower than 0631182; S-STEM 1060632 more about STEM fields. About two-thirds of the College’s previous average – in 2007, only CONTACT scholars have participated in undergraduate 34 per cent remained for their fourth year research, and 12 have completed internships and only 20 per cent managed to graduate Dr Kimberley R Cousins at locations including NASA’s Dryden Flight within six years; most MASS scholars have Professor of Chemistry Research Centre and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, graduated after three or four years. About California State University, San Bernardino the US Department of Agriculture Salinity half of these graduates are currently enrolled 5500 University Parkway Laboratory and the Southern California in postgraduate or teaching courses, and the San Bernardino Earthquake Consortium. rest have embarked on STEM careers – one California 92407-2318 has co-founded a video game company. USA Programmes such as MASS are fundamental T +1 909 389 2532 to the future of the Inland Empire, in that E [email protected] Although the financial incentive many of the graduates will stay in the http://acm.csusb.edu/facultydb/cns/ region and their employment will bring Faculty.aspx?id=541 is often the initial attraction, economic benefits. Their ability to graduate personal mentoring, priority from a tough STEM course and succeed in subsequent endeavours also sets valuable KIMBERLEY COUSINS obtained her BSc registration and co-curricular precedents for their local communities. “We in Chemistry in 1984 from Duke University, expect that college success can’t help but be North Carolina and a PhD in Organic opportunities are generally cited contagious,” Cousins observes. “Programmes Chemistry in 1991 from the University of like MASS that recruit, retain and graduate Texas at Austin. She was a Camille and Henry by scholars as the most valuable well-prepared scientists and mathematicians, Dreyfus Teaching-Research Fellow (1989- are sorely needed here.” 90) at Hendrix College, Conway Arkansas. aspects of MASS In 1991 she was a lecturer at Southwestern Looking to the future, Cousins would like University, Georgetown, Texas and Austin Peer support is another key element of the MASS to expand certain aspects of MASS to other Community College, Austin, Texas. Cousins programme. Scholars within departments STEM students at CSUSB; the MASS Mentor has been at CSUSB since 1991. Her research or on common core courses meet regularly, construct has already been adopted and interests are in the areas of green organic and MASS also partners with other CSUSB modified to support students in several other synthetic methodology, physical organic programmes, sponsoring workshops on topics programmes. A major limitation of MASS chemistry, computational modelling of such as the Graduate Record Examination was the short timeframe for which funding functional organic materials and chemical and preparation for postgraduate studies or was granted, presenting logistical challenges education. She is currently serving as entering a career. MASS thus motivates the at the start and end of the programme Principal Investigator of the Mathematics scholar to take advantage of a wide range in terms of recruitment and retention of and Science Scholars programme (NSF- of university facilities: “New students are scholars. Ideally, Cousins would like to attract STEM), and a co-PI for the NSF Proactive sometimes reluctant to take full advantage funding for a longer term and to be able to Recruitment in Introductory Science and of the programme, but encouragement from accommodate more students per year in Mathematics programme, and a research mentors and other scholars helps them build a future programme based on the MASS grant from the Department of Defense to confidence and embrace the opportunities model: “In a perfect world, funding would be study organic ferroelectric materials. In their education has to offer,” observes Cousins. more secure, and more students would be 2008, she received the Golden Apple award Priority registration is also offered to all supported,” she notes. for teaching. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 55 ANALYSIS

© Simon Pugh Photography Co-summit 2013

Focused on the theme ‘Software innovation: boosting high-tech employment and industry’, the Co-summit 2013 was hosted at the SCANDIC Infra Business Center in Stockholm, Sweden, on 4-5 December. Collaboratively organised by ARTEMIS and ITEA, the two-day event was designed to boost science, technology and innovation across Europe

SHOWCASING TRANSNATIONAL ARTEMIS and ITEA 2 given an opportunity to introduce their initiatives, organise debates projects and their results, the event encouraged innovation, on relevant topics and provide tours of their exhibition booths. business-based impact and research exploitation. Propelling science, technology and innovation advancements across The event offered representatives an opportunity to interact Europe, the conference was designed as a platform to enhance with one another and develop collaborations with participants hi-tech product and service development in industry and provide from industry and academia, government officials and media representatives from all around Europe in order to devise mutually opportunities for employment, while presenting attractive st prospects for collaboration. beneficial solutions that meet the challenges of the 21 Century. Almost 650 delegates from around 80 leading European companies and institutions were in attendance at the Co-summit, including ITEA keynote speakers who participated in a high-level panel discussion on hi-tech innovation. Alongside the engaging project exhibition ITEA, the EUREKA cluster for software-intensive systems and services, area, a new project-based element was incorporated into the event, fosters vital growth for Europe’s economy and drives innovation in many consisting of four ‘Speakers corners’ in which representatives were of the continent’s most competitive areas, including the automotive, communications, healthcare, aerospace and consumer electronics industries. ITEA is a unique management programme led by an industrial community in collaboration with government authorities. Its goals are to ARTEMIS help Europe maintain its status as a global leader in ICT and to provide critical support for the development of innovative ideas that boost the ARTEMIS Industry Association (ARTEMIS-IA) represents R&D actors in emerging services revolution. SMEs, research institutes and universities embedded systems – specialised computer systems that have a specific participate in ITEA in collaborative R&D that is critical for the effective function within a larger system or machine – with over 200 members functioning of the European economy and society. and associates from across Europe, including 23 member states. The Association comprises a multidisciplinary research community involving ITEA 3 is the third phase of the ITEA programme. It aims to further bolster industry, universities and research institutes participating in the European leadership in software-intensive systems and services through ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking (ARTEMIS JU). The programme focuses on innovative R&D and international collaboration. Beginning in January downstream research, or the translation of technological R&D to create 2014, ITEA 3 will run until 2021 with a budget of €3 billion. Contributing innovative products and services ready for market. Encouraging research to research excellence, ITEA 3 also aims to anticipate technological trends activities through open calls for submissions, the Joint Undertaking and paradigm changes while addressing societal needs. A key objective scheme will last 10 years with a budget of €2.5 billion invested in the will be to deliver results and to translate its knowledge to mobilise 20,000 development of embedded computing systems. The ARTEMIS network of person-years of research. communication, cross-disciplinary collaboration and dissemination fosters the development of innovative initiatives and technological ideas that will This new phase has much in store for the ITEA programme. In its positively impact European hi-tech industries. first month alone it received ISO 9001 accreditation for its quality management system. ITEA 3 is an agile organisation that has not only In 2014, ARTEMIS JU will merge with ENIAC JU and the EPoSS Technology been designed to adapt to the changes that lie ahead, but it is a living Platform to form Electronic Components and Systems for European roadmap, permanently updating its baseline for innovation to ensure it Leadership (ECSEL), a 10-year programme beginning in early 2014. ECSEL stays at the cutting-edge. One of the most exciting developments of ITEA will build further on the successes of these instruments in order to help 3 is that it has restructured its annual call calendar and can now take an Europe maintain and strengthen its position in the hi-tech sector. idea to project start within 10 months. ITEA 3 also benefits from strong partnerships with the other EUREKA clusters such as ARTEMIS, the EIT ICT Labs and some national competitiveness clusters.

56 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS

ITEA ARTEMIS-IA High-Level Vision 2030

The ITEA ARTEMIS-IA High-Level Vision 2030 ‘Opportunities for Europe’ report has been developed in response to the disruptive societal changes forecasted, including lifestyles and business practices, from Co-summit 2013 now until 2030. This timescale has been established based on the Exhibition Awards estimation that the global population will surpass 8 billion people in 2030; 23 per cent of which will live in either Europe or the Americas. The Co-summit 2013 included ARTEMIS and ITEA Exhibition Awards based on posters and demonstrations designed by project The report describes seven areas of major change, referred to as ‘Grand partners to showcase their objectives, results and overarching Challenges’: globalisation and demographic change; management of accomplishments. To win the annual prizes, posters had to represent scarce resources; climate change; urbanisation; mobility; healthcare; the project and its goals vividly, demonstrations had to be clear and and digital society. In response to these issues, ARTEMIS and ITEA have convincing and representatives had to be able to communicate their highlighted the need for research and innovation that will benefit the work and its business value effectively. economy, provide job opportunities and improve European ecosystems. AMALTHEA won the ITEA Exhibition Award, demonstrating its The leading role predicted for digital technologies in society in the next development of a consistent, open and expandable tool platform 15 years has further signalled the need for Europe to develop innovative for use in automotive engineering. The CRitical sYSTem engineering and purpose-built ICT-based systems in order to respond effectively to AcceLeration (CRYSTAL) project was awarded the ARTEMIS the increasing demands of global competitiveness. Exhibition Award, which establishes workflows based on current and emerging technologies for use in engineering environments to reduce system design costs.

Smart Cities

One of the focal points of the Co-summit 2013 was an exhibition area dedicated to projects associated with ‘Smart Cities’, with both ARTEMIS and ITEA discussing the impact of innovation in software and embedded systems in urban spaces. During the event, ARTEMIS projects ARROWHEAD, ACCUS, ENCOURAGE and DEMANES, as well as ITEA projects SUS, IMPONET and many more, disseminated their work on the implementation of smart technologies in European cities. Topics included the driving of collaborative automation via network- enabled devices for the provision of energy; the innovative development of smart grids; urban transport and traffic; effective energy usage in buildings; and large-scale monitoring systems. A panel discussion provided the representatives with an opportunity to discuss the impact of smart technologies in order to better understand issues such as suitability, sustainability, performance and security. The scale of many of these undertakings will require joint endeavours between European projects, to ensure that the most effective and necessary innovations and solutions are developed. © Simon Pugh Photography

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 57 ANALYSIS Digital Technology and the ‘Grand Challenges’

ARTEMIS and ITEA coined the term ‘Digital Technology’ to represent ICT – including hardware, software, IT services, internal IT and embedded software – to facilitate discussions on hi-tech innovation. Here, International Innovation highlights the shift in Digital Technology within the context of some of the key High-Level Vision 2030 ‘Grand Challenges’

The global Digital Technology market is estimated to be worth US $3.3 billion – providing 50 million jobs.

9.1 million jobs in Digital Technology are located in Europe – 8.9 million jobs are in software and services, and 1.1 million jobs are associated with embedded systems.

From 2010-30, GDP will increase by 70% in developing countries and 30% in developed countries.

In less than 20 years, emerging markets will account for more than half of all global GDP.

Global energy consumption will rise by 39% between 2010 and 2030.

By 2030, there will be a shortage of hi-tech metals, threatening the advancement of future technologies such as photovoltaic cells, hybrid propulsion and energy-efficient flat screens.

There will be a 59% increase in the number of people living in cities in 2030, with the urban population growing from 3.5 billion in 2011 to 4.9 billion in 2030.

In 2013, the internet will be prevalent in almost 100% of developed countries.

The internet penetration rate rose from 51% in 2005 to 72% in 2010.

Sources: http://itea3.org ; ITEA ARTEMIS-IA High-Level Vision 2013

58 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION MiTEP

Empowering teachers to conduct science

Professor Brad Baltensperger, Drs Kedmon Hungwe and Jacqueline Huntoon, and graduate student Mark Klawiter describe their collaboration in an innovative programme designed to further enthusiasm for STEM topics in teachers and encourage students to enter such fields

great depth; and in too many cases science mutually supportive partnership can have has been taught as a series of facts. To an impact on teacher and faculty member fully understand the nature of science, practice. We have also demonstrated that both teachers and students must have this type of partnership can produce leaders. the opportunity to carry out scientific The MiTEP model is successful and can easily Would you outline your hopes for the Michigan experiments, rather than just read about be implemented elsewhere – we know that Teaching Excellence Program (MiTEP)? them. When people have the opportunity specific elements of the MiTEP model are to use science as a way to generate new already finding their way into practice in BB: MiTEP is committed to increasing the knowledge, they fully appreciate how much other states. number of high school graduates who are fun science can be. interested in and understand the processes Do you have plans to extend MiTEP in of science and engineering, and therefore You focused specifically on improving the future? those who pursue STEM careers. One of the the skills of middle school Earth science key ways to address these goals is to support teachers. Why did you choose this group JH: The partnership aspect of MiTEP is teachers and provide them with high quality as opposed to others? its most powerful component. We have professional development opportunities. already built on this by developing a network BB: Studies of STEM learning identify that includes representatives of all the Our hope is to give teachers more tools to middle school as the period when many colleges and universities in the State of excite students about STEM, help them to students begin to lose interest in science Michigan engaged with the preparation of master new developments and engage them and mathematics. Earth science teachers. This network has in the process of conducting science. collaborated with the Michigan Department Earth science is inherently an integrative of Education to improve the quality of The project emphasises outdoor, inquiry- field – it draws heavily from the physical the Michigan test of teacher certification. based science education and engages and biological sciences, but it also provides Because education, like politics, is a local students in research and hypothesis many real-world, inherently visible examples endeavour, it is very important to have testing. What are the main advantages of of scientific processes. This grounds Earth representatives working together throughout this approach? science learning in readily observable a state so that effective practices and phenomena, resulting in higher levels of curricula can be widely disseminated and MK: Most studies of outdoor, inquiry-based student engagement. A solid background implemented rapidly. science instruction reveal that, compared to in Earth science prepares students very traditional classroom strategies, it leads to effectively for future studies in biology, Michigan is fortunate in that it has a long- improvement in spatial understanding; enhances chemistry, physics and engineering by standing Earth science teacher network knowledge, skills and dispositions related to the demonstrating the interconnectedness of all (Michigan Earth Science Teacher Association affective domain; and improves social interaction. the sciences. – MESTA). In the future we hope to engage As a result of active learning, students are more more university and college faculty in MESTA engaged with the subject matter and more One of the long-term goals of MiTEP is activities to continue to improve two- enthusiastic about the learning process. to develop a replicable model of teacher- way communication among Earth science led STEM curriculum reform that could educators in K-12 and higher education. What are the main barriers to effective science potentially be rolled out across the US. Teacher feedback to university faculty was teaching/learning in American education? What are you proposing? a key aspect of MiTEP – partnerships among teachers and faculty have the potential KH: Science instruction has traditionally JH: We have demonstrated that long-term to enact widespread, meaningful and covered a variety of topics but never in professional development based on a longitudinal improvements in education. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 59 MiTEP

A model for science teaching

Focusing on Earth sustainability and partnership in education, the Michigan Teacher Excellence Program at Michigan Technological University seeks to create institutional change in schools and universities so more students are motivated to pursue scientific professions

TO MEET THE challenges of the modern world MiTEP DESIGN teachers in four cohorts who have participated, and ensure a dominant position for the US in 15 have already undertaken the Michigan Tech the global economy, the number of science- The central proposition of MiTEP is that the Master’s degree in Applied Science Education. based jobs will increase substantially over quality of the science learning experience the coming years. However, more than half in middle school is key to shaping students’ THE BIG IDEA OF THE DAY of the students who enter high school with aspirations in high school and beyond – so the an interest in pursuing higher education or a way in which science is taught to adolescents is The programme comprises two core, two- career in STEM change their minds by the time crucial. Earth science teachers were seen as the week-long intensive field courses, held each they graduate and currently only 16 per cent of ideal population, since Earth science presented summer over the three years, designed to high school students are interested in a STEM an opportunity to ignite general interest across expand teachers’ knowledge of key Earth career. In 2010, President Obama announced a range of STEM subjects through inquiry- science concepts and support their pedagogy a campaign to address the severe shortage based learning: “Earth scientists and Earth skills, with an emphasis on problem solving and of teachers in STEM subjects. In this, he also science aficionados often trace their enthusiasm inquiry-based and student-orientated learning made reference to a need for change in the about STEM back to their early adolescent techniques. Known as Earth Science Institutes, style of science teaching, stating: “Passionate years,” observes Principal Investigator Dr Brad they examine each of the nine ‘Big Ideas’ educators with deep content expertise can Baltensperger, Chair of the Department of that encompass fundamental Earth science make all the difference, enabling hands- Cognitive and Learning Science and Professor of concepts as set out in the Earth Science Literacy on learning that truly engages students [...] Geography at Michigan Technological University Principles, such as ‘Earth is continuously preparing them to tackle the grand challenges of (Michigan Tech). The university is a key partner changing,’ ‘Life evolves on a dynamic Earth the 21st Century”. in MiTEP – other collaborative organisations are and continuously modifies Earth’ and ‘Humans the Grand Rapids, Jackson and Kalamazoo Public depend on Earth for resources’. With support At the beginning of 2009, more than a year Schools, along with the Grand Rapids Area Pre- from graduate researchers and faculty experts, before the Educate to Innovate campaign, the College Engineering Program. the participants explore the propositions in the Michigan Teacher Excellence Program (MiTEP) context of a particular geographical location commenced, with the objective of improving As MiTEP unfolded, a large proportion of the and then relate them to Earth’s sustainability, the quality of school students’ STEM learning. participant teachers changed roles, so the MiTEP using the classic research techniques of MiTEP had three main goals: to enhance scope shifted from exclusively targeting Earth observation, description, analysis, synthesis, science teaching; develop leaders among science teachers and middle school education interpretation and evaluation. science teachers; and support the adoption to embedding Earth science content and inquiry and practice of the new national standards for learning approaches into teaching in a range of As an example, the day dedicated to examining high school science education. Through a better STEM disciplines and school grades. the Big Idea that ‘Humans depend on Earth teaching environment, it was hoped that high for resources’ is spent at sites where different school students could be armed with sufficient MiTEP offered teacher participants a stipend for energy generation sources – wind, solar, knowledge of scientific issues and technical three academic years, and by adjusting the terms hydroelectric and fossil fuels – and natural information to debate them effectively, make of degree courses at Michigan Tech, MiTEP was hazards and mineral resources can be found. informed choices and widen the scope of their also able to offer them the opportunity to gain The environmental effects of energy and mineral eventual employment. credits towards postgraduate degrees. Of the 60 extraction are examined, and later the teachers

60 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE MICHIGAN TEACHER EXCELLENCE PROGRAM (MITEP): A MODEL FOR IMPROVING EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION NATIONWIDE OBJECTIVES • To improve student learning in science • To develop science teacher leaders • To increase university faculty support for K-12 science learning • To develop and sustain a culture that supports innovation in teaching and learning in schools and universities PARTNERS Core Partners: Michigan Technological University • Grand Rapids Public Schools • Jackson Public Schools • Kalamazoo Public Schools Supporting Partners: Grand Rapids Area Pre-college Engineering Program • Pedagogy Days enable teachers to link science University laboratories are used to connect teachers Midwest National Parks • American content with classroom practice. to recent developments in Earth science. Geological Institute • Grand Valley State University Geology Department • Western Michigan University Geology Department are introduced to related content and equivalent 60 teachers who have joined, eight have become locations within their home districts so they can teacher-leaders in their home districts. FUNDING extrapolate what they have experienced and National Science Foundation – award no. learned to their particular context. OUTCOMES 0831948 The Earth Science Institutes have proved highly In its design, MiTEP reflects the broad span CONTACT successful not only in terms of feedback from of skills required to pursue scientific careers, participants, but in inspiring them to translate employing multiple strategies and approaches: Professor Brad Baltensperger the concepts into their teaching when they from encouraging teachers to think critically and Chair, Department of Cognitive and return to school. providing up-to-date expert support on scientific Learning Sciences and education issues, to leveraging their leadership Michigan Technological University qualities. “Science is a process that involves BUILDING KNOWLEDGE AND LEADERSHIP Meese Center 107 creativity, logic and critical thinking,” states Dr Houghton One of several graduate students on MiTEP with Jacqueline Huntoon, Professor of Geology and teaching experience and nationally recognised Dean of the Graduate School at Michigan Tech. Michigan 49931 expertise in curriculum and instruction, Mark USA Klawiter, explains that equality is key to the From the beginning, MiTEP has constantly been T +1 906 487 2425 programme: “Everyone involved takes on the refined with input from feedback, surveys, tests E [email protected] role of both teacher and student”. In their first and focus groups. Now MiTEP has amassed a two years in MiTEP, the teachers attend eight compendium of lessons and other resources BRAD BALTENSPERGER graduated with a professional development day courses and enrol that are available on the internet, including a PhD in Geography from Clark University in in an interactive lesson development, critical collection of ideas for Earth science teaching observation and refinement course. They are also topics that need expansion. 1974. His research interests include public offered online courses in historical and physical perception of environmental hazards, natural geology, science curriculum and standards, and MiTEP results are now being collected and hazards and environmental history. He is in using scientific research methods to examine analysed. Early indications show that the also deeply involved in science education, the effectiveness of teaching and learning programme has succeeded in producing teachers particularly related to Earth science and strategies. In the third year, teachers are given capable of positively influencing student attitudes environmental science. He is Principal the option to work in a national park for three towards STEM subjects and playing a leading role Investigator on MiTEP, a six-year project to weeks in conjunction with the park interpreters in promoting and nurturing better teaching in improve Earth learning in partnership with in informal science education and scientific teachers within their expanding networks. three urban school districts. inquiry into the natural environment. The programme was the first to deliver a model for During the course, MiTEP partners identify improving Earth science education nationally, and teachers with potential as leaders who will Huntoon is convinced that this can filter through further the development, implementation, to other institutions to improve employment testing and promotion of inquiry-based scientific opportunities and retention in STEM careers: “As education schemes at their schools. These graduate students’ dissertations are completed ‘teacher-leaders’ become full partners in MiTEP, and evidence of the success of MiTEP is more and an important part of their role is to sustain widely disseminated, we anticipate that the model the programme after its formal closure. Of the will be replicated elsewhere,” she affirms.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 61 RESEARCH ROUNDTABLE: PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN STEM EDUCATION Research Roundtable Private investment in STEM education

The US and Canada, like many countries around the world, are investing heavily in STEM education to ensure their economies remain competitive in the years to come. In this roundtable discussion, International Innovation asks education experts and featured researchers how the private sector might contribute to STEM education initiatives

Q. What role, if any, should business play in STEM education? Are external partnerships needed to support state-wide initiatives?

James Brown Judging school science fairs, visiting classrooms, participating in the (STEM Education Coalition): development of informal science projects, and sponsoring STEM events are some of the ways this can be achieved. Business and industry partners can play a hugely beneficial role in education reforms, I would like to call on business and industry leaders to contribute but it is important to put their contribution more. Much intervention is targeted at high school and college, in the right context. Employers with large which is important, but not enough focus is given to elementary and technology workforces can often bring even pre-school students and teachers. At these levels teachers are incredibly valuable resources to the table, often tentative about teaching STEM subjects, which can discourage benefiting schools, teachers, parents and students from developing an interest in these subjects. Interventions students. Nevertheless, it is also important at this point can support teachers and keep students excited about to understand the limits of business STEM. More on this subject can be found at HUNBlog: engagement. Even though investments http://hunblog.typepad.com/hunblog/2013/07/a-business-solution- made by business are often very large in absolute financial terms, for-education.html. the sheer scale of public investments in education are almost always much, much larger. Total US investment in K-12 education is roughly Dr Marilyn Barger US $600 billion annually, so to have a lasting impact strategies must (Center of Excellence, Hillsborough be built around a substantial business investment in STEM education Community College – Brandon Campus): coupled with meaningful changes in overall policy. Often, the best role for business partners is to act as a catalyst for new and innovative The role of the private sector in STEM reform efforts with the goal of fostering their adoption at much larger education is to support academic efforts, scales through policy changes. as business needs logical and technically competent employees in positions of Dr Brad Hoge responsibility. However, if the concept (University of Houston-Downtown): of a STEM professional comes into focus then the expectation of specific Having worked with numerous business businesses to support that STEM pathway partners through Houston Urban Network increases dramatically. for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (HUNSTEM), Texas Business What is a STEM professional? That person is not a chemist, a and Education Coalition (TBEC), Science mathematician, an engineer, a doctor or anyone else who has had & Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH), STEM courses as a component of their career preparation. Nor is and Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), it a teacher of or professor in a STEM topic. The STEM professional I can safely say that business support for might be any of the above if that person addresses, on a regular basis, STEM education is crucial to recruit more issues and tasks that require an integrated knowledge base that is students into STEM fields and increase drawn from all of the STEM disciplines. Technicians responsible for STEM literacy in general. Business partnerships can brand STEM as the operation of complex manufacturing systems are an excellent an exciting opportunity for students, by promoting career awareness example of STEM professionals. Businesses that require that expertise and demonstrating job satisfaction among STEM professionals. This need to be totally immersed in STEM college programmes with their branding role is particularly important at the national and state time, talent and resources. This will ensure the development of talent levels, but hands-on intervention at a local level is probably the most that can apply systems-level thinking and integrated strategies to valuable contribution to STEM education that business can make. problem solving and design.

62 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION RESEARCH ROUNDTABLE: PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN STEM EDUCATION

Wendy Kopp Dr Kimberley R Cousins (Teach For All): (California State University, San Bernardino):

I’ve seen first hand the important role the Perhaps the greatest impact external business community can play. We need partnerships can have is at the local and corporate leaders making the case that regional level. Local businesses have we simply must prioritise education – our a responsibility to participate in STEM economic prosperity depends upon it. education in their regions; likewise they We’ve seen that corporate leaders can help benefit both directly and indirectly governmental officials understand the kind from taking an active role. Partnerships of change that’s needed. Moreover, alongside between STEM employers and college education and governmental leaders they’ve and universities provide benefits to been key to providing the support that social students, by offering networking internship enterprises like ours need to help our public systems improve. opportunities and helping them to prepare for employment. Feedback from employers and employed alumni can serve as valuable input for Chantal Pouliot, PhD STEM educators for assessment and improvement of programmes. (Laval University): Businesses benefit from these STEM partnerships by securing a needed stream of properly prepared new employees. It is very important to ask questions about STEM education. Many people, organisations Professor Marilyn P Carlson and government representatives support (Arizona State University): business involvement in STEM education. Others are highly critical of this movement There are many examples of businesses – I’m one of those people. ‘Traditional’ initiating extracurricular events or teaching of STEM can be understood competitions that spark students’ as education shaped by national and curiosity, creativity and interest in STEM international economic preoccupations, fields. However, it is not the responsibility in which students and teachers are seen of businesses to assure that all students as human capital and workforce. For many researchers in the fields receive quality STEM instruction. The of science studies, feminist studies and science education, neoliberal district and school administrators set educational practices contribute to racial, class, gender and social in motion actions to assure that their inequities and have little concern for promoting equitable social relations teachers are prepared to implement new and environmental wellbeing. national and state initiatives. They determine teacher professional development, the processes for selecting textbooks, and typically Nevertheless, I am conscious that my answer may be understood as an choose the department chair. These are the three variables that overly critical view of business partnerships in STEM education. More ultimately determine the quality of instruction and amount of details about this position and about alternative ways of teaching STEM student learning. can be found in the very well written work of Clayton Pierce, Education in the Age of Biocapitalism, Optimising Educational Life for a Flat World, Pathways research has revealed how strong school leaders, quality Palgrave Macmillan, 2013) and in the forthcoming book Activist Science professional development and quality curriculum can play an & Technology Education (Eds. Bencze & Alsop, Springer, 2014). important role in transforming instruction and student learning. If curriculum and instruction does not demand that students engage Professor Linda Vanasupa in inquiry and meaning making that leads to deep understanding of (California Polytechnic State University): mathematical and scientific ideas, and the ability to apply these ideas to solve novel problems, these abilities do not emerge in students. Partnerships are required for any benevolent systemic change; whether the results are The work to improve STEM education in our nation’s schools is so benevolent, however, depends on the daunting that all qualified partners can contribute. I am aware of paradigms that underlie them. The origin of instances of large businesses contributing funds to improve local current business-university symbiosis is an schools, but how administrators decide to use those funds is what objectivist worldview where maximisation and ultimately determines whether they impact the quality of teaching consolidation of profit for its stakeholders is and amount of student learning. the primary purpose. This results in a factory model of education in which graduates Dr Jason Steffen are viewed as products to be consumed by (Northwestern University): industry. Students often begin engineering majors with aspirations to serve society in diverse ways, but graduate resigned to their debt-based reality of The future of most business ventures indentured servitude to this profit-driven system. will be increasingly dependent upon technology and problem solving skills. So, I As gravely predicted by Eisenhower, the nation’s scholars are also captive believe it is in their best interest to actively to the needs of the military-industrial complex, secured through federally promote STEM education. One part that funded research. Not only do these dynamics amplify human suffering and they can play is to improve the way they environmental degradation on a planetary scale, they serve to disable our communicate the skills that they are ability to systemically address them. We believe, then, that the role of business looking for as well as the need for studying is: to serve global peace and prosperity by creating social value that honours STEM fields. Businesses can also provide all stakeholders; to challenge conservative STEM pedagogies that prioritise internships and networking opportunities technical training at the expense of one’s humanity; and to call for and for high school, college and graduate school students where they can support education models that free people to be their whole selves. put some of their skills into practice.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 63 A change in atmosphere

A longstanding and fruitful collaboration between Professor Jeffrey Forbes and Dr Maura Hagan has led to several exciting breakthroughs in the burgeoning field of space weather research

© CU © Carlye Calvin scale wave model (GSWM) and made the results widely available to the space physics community. More recently, I focused my attention on the NCAR 3D first-principles upper atmospheric general circulation models to further explore tidal and planetary wave impacts on the atmosphere and ionosphere in collaboration with NCAR colleagues, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

In what ways has your research contributed to a greater understanding of these atmospheric interactions? PROFESSOR JEFFREY FORBES & DR MAURA HAGAN PROFESSOR JF&MH: Our research has created a new level of understanding as to how processes in the lower atmosphere drive How did you both become interested in disturbance, and investigated the impacts variability in the upper atmosphere space weather? of this variability on our ability to predict and ionosphere through the impacts of satellite ephemerides. All of these interests vertically propagating atmospheric tides JF: I was first introduced to atmospheric are still reflected in the research that I and planetary waves. Our model results tides by Professor Marvin Geller while perform today. have provided a context within which many pursuing my MSc at the University of observations of atmosphere and ionosphere Illinois in 1969. He had recently completed MH: Forbes introduced me to the field variability have been interpreted. In his PhD on the lunar atmospheric tide at of atmospheric tidal research while I was addition, we have analysed many ground- the Massachusetts Institute of Technology attending graduate school at Boston and space-based observations to validate (MIT), and we collaborated on a paper College. I conducted thesis research with existing models and to provide direction for concerning the effects of the lunar tide a simple tidal model in pursuit of my further model development. on optical emissions from the upper MSc. My PhD and postgraduate work atmosphere. I then moved on to pursue included diagnosing and interpreting upper How do your skills and experiences my PhD at Harvard, where my advisor was atmospheric tidal signatures in incoherent enable the successful running of the Professor Richard S Lindzen, a leader in the scatter radar measurements made at MIT programme? development of atmospheric tidal theory Haystack Observatory. and models. JF: Our joint collaboration has been fruitful When I came to the National Center for and synergistic. While Hagan has devoted During the 1970s, my military service at Atmospheric Research (NCAR) some herself to the development and application the Air Force Research Laboratory involved 20 years ago, I shifted my focus to the of increasingly sophisticated models, I research into space weather effects of development of numerical tidal and have primarily concentrated on analyses solar origin on the atmospheric drag on planetary wave models. Between 1993 and of satellite-based measurements. This type satellites. I performed scientific studies 2003, I collaborated with Forbes to develop of model-measurement interplay is at the on the variability of drag due to solar increasingly robust versions of the global- heart of advancing our science.

64 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION PROFESSOR JEFFREY FORBES & DR MAURA HAGAN

Would you discuss some of the outcomes and applications of your work?

MH: The research we perform is basic, without any immediate applications in mind, though we are aware that our work adds to the knowledge base required to build predictive space weather infrastructure to support operational applications. Rising tides However, there are occasions where it is possible to demonstrate the practical impacts of our work. One of Forbes’s students, for example, demonstrated how upper atmosphere density variations produced by the atmospheric tidal spectrum significantly affect uncertainties in the surface impact location of objects re-entering the atmosphere from space. A similar project to assess tidal effects Researchers based on aerobraking at Mars is ongoing. at the University of What have been the project’s greatest Colorado and the National Center successes? for Atmospheric Research are combining their JF&MH: Our most significant achievement has respective expertise in data analysis and modelling to been demonstrating that troposphere variability shed new light on space weather, with a particular emphasis on how is a significant driver for upper atmosphere and ionosphere space weather. This vertical atmospheric tides affect conditions in the Earth’s upper atmosphere transfer is accomplished through the upward propagation of atmospheric tides and other THE EXISTENCE OF space weather and the ways feed into each other organically: Hagan’s models waves. After almost a decade of developing in which it could impact Earth is a relatively new offer a physical representation of the data Forbes GSWM, we were in a position in 2002-03 to topic among scientists. Adverse events caused by studies, while Forbes can provide insight into the predict the upper atmosphere response to these phenomena could have worrying implications reliability of Hagan’s models and suggest potential realistic lower atmosphere tidal forcing. In for life on Earth. Broadly speaking, space weather improvements for future versions. particular, we focused on the spatial-temporal covers a wide range of environmental conditions distribution of latent heating released in present on the Sun, throughout space and in the UNDERSTANDING ATMOSPHERIC TIDES tropical convective clouds, and how the upper Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere. From atmosphere responds to this forcing. solar flares to geomagnetic storms and coronal Forbes and Hagan aim to learn more about the mass ejections, different types of space weather impact of space weather of the Earth’s upper Over the following decade, and continuing have the potential to seriously impact technological atmosphere – the thermosphere. Research within today, there has been an explosion of systems based both on the ground and in space. their field has established three main factors that publications that interpret observations in lead to its varying conditions: the absorption terms of the spectrum of waves that our Among the vital pieces of infrastructure that of solar extreme ultraviolet radiation into the study predicted. We brought increasingly can be interrupted by space weather are thermosphere; the reprocessing of solar wind sophisticated models to this problem, and satellite operations, electric power distribution energy as electric fields, currents and particles now address nonlinear tide-tide interactions; grids, communications, aviation, navigation that enter the thermosphere; and the upward ionospheric effects; and modification of the and emergency response systems. Given that propagation of waves produced in the lower regions wind circulations and electric fields, thermal our society is increasingly dependent on these of the Earth’s atmosphere. structure and plasma and neutral densities technologies, a severe spate of space weather that result from tidal dissipation. Throughout could potentially damage our health, security and While the pair and their colleagues have worked this work, we have extensively used satellite economy. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the extensively on all three of these sources, they are observations to define the tidal forcing and factors that lead to such occurrences is becoming currently most excited about the latter: “Within provide verification of model predictions. increasingly important, as is the ability to make the last decade a new realisation has arrived on more accurate predictions. the scene of ionosphere-thermosphere science: terrestrial weather significantly influences space weather,” Forbes enthuses. As key players in this A UNIQUE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP emerging research area, Forbes and Hagan are For over 30 years, Professor Jeffrey Forbes of particularly interested in the role that atmospheric the University of Colorado has been conducting tides play in the variability of space weather pioneering investigations into space weather conditions in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. in collaboration with his colleague Dr Maura Through their research, they are pushing to explain Hagan from the National Center for Atmospheric how upward propagating solar and lunar tides and Research (NCAR). planetary waves transfer energy from the lower atmosphere to the thermosphere, specifically at The individual skills that Forbes and Hagan bring altitudes between 100 km and 500 km. to their partnership are key to its success. While Forbes’s expertise lies primarily in analysis of COMPARING EARTH AND MARS data obtained from a range of satellites, Hagan focuses on the development and application The researchers are currently working on an of intricate models. Both of these components innovative series of comparative studies for the WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 65 PROFESSOR JEFFREY FORBES & DR MAURA HAGAN

tides that spread into The group hypothesises that the upward An artist’s depiction of the CHAMP satellite. © ESA the upper atmosphere propagation of waves into the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. is linked to the density and winds in a given ambient environment. Moreover, they are keen to Forbes leads on the ascertain the outcome of forcing from the lower work conducted on atmosphere when the environment is changed Mars, which, similar by another key factor, such as an increase in solar to their work on radiation. In addition, the team hopes to discover Earth, is concerned whether a particular ambient environment’s 1982-88 with the reaction of reaction to tides and planetary waves has any 1993-95 its upper atmosphere bearing on the upper atmospheric and ionospheric Forbes and Hagan use 1D and The researchers perform a to both variations in responses to solar geomagnetic storms. 2D tidal models to investigate the Sun’s radiation effects of molecular diffusion, collaborative examination of and waves originating composition and mean winds two- and 16-day planetary PLANS FOR THE FUTURE from below. So far, on the vertical propagation waves with a 2D tidal the researchers have As well as continuing to pursue a wide range of tides model successfully identified of projects, Forbes and Hagan have plans 1995 and modelled a series for other research endeavours, with new of upper atmosphere mission developments promising extended Hagan develops the first waves observed by data to analyse. For example, the recently version of the global-scale planetary atmospheres of Earth and Mars, citing the Mars Global Surveyor satellite and linked launched European Space Agency (ESA) Swarm 1997 wave model (GSWM) that the two planets are sufficiently similar them to Mars’s surface topology. In addition, mission, which comprises three satellites with using the 2D model as and different to one another to provide unique Forbes has assessed the drag on satellites on accelerometers and other instruments, will The pair uses 1D and 2D a blueprint and useful insights. While the main motivation Earth and Mars in collaboration with Dr Sean gather pole-to-pole measurements of neutral models to estimate upper of furthering understanding of Earth’s upper Bruinsma, to measure their upper atmosphere densities, winds and electric and magnetic fields. atmosphere tides generated atmosphere is to learn how to improve the responses to 27-day and 11-year variations in by latent heat release in resilience of radio signals used in navigation solar flux. In addition, NASA’s Ionospheric Connections 2000-02 deep convective clouds and communications systems to environmental (ICON) mission – due for launch in February interference, research conducted on Mars is 2017 – will obtain similar data to Swarm, but Together, Forbes and INTERACTION BETWEEN DRIVERS particularly valuable in enhancing the accuracy of at lower altitudes and latitudes, as well as Hagan adapt Hagan’s aerobraking operations. Alongside their goal to reveal more about how measurements of ionospheric emissions and GSWM for Mars terrestrial weather can impact environmental chemical composition. At the same time, NASA observations Within their studies of Earth, land-sea conditions in the Earth’s atmosphere, Forbes, will launch the Global-scale Observations of 2010-13 differences are among Forbes and Hagan’s Hagan and their fellow researchers are also the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission, which will primary interests. This phenomenon alters the interested in ascertaining the ways in which this measure densities and temperatures of Earth’s Forbes uses the Challenging latitude and longitude distribution of tropical source of space weather interacts with solar- upper atmosphere. “These missions will add to our 2008 Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) and deep convection, giving rise to latent heat and geomagnetic-driven varieties. In this area, knowledge by enabling studies of the interactions Hagan becomes Gravity Recovery and Climate release in clouds. Given that this process runs they hope to determine whether the upper between the neutral and ionised components of Deputy Director Experiment (GRACE) satellites’ on a diurnal cycle, it leads to a range of periodic atmosphere operates in a linear way. the upper atmosphere,” Forbes explains. of NCAR density measurements to delineate solar and lunar tides 2001-03 in the thermosphere AN UNPRECEDENTED RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY The researchers publish important papers based on In 2012, Forbes, Hagan, Drs Xiaoli Zhang and Gang Lu were awarded NASA funding to become Participating GSWM-02 findings that link latent heat release in deep convective Investigators on the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer satellite mission clouds to upper atmosphere THE ESA-administered Gravity Field and Steady- largely because its accelerometers were able to caused by lower atmosphere topographic and tides and tidal variability State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellite, take extensive continuous measurements of pole- convective sources, disturbances originating in the launched in March 2009, completed its mission in to-pole densities and winds at a low orbital altitude polar regions and local and global responses to October 2013. During its time in orbit, the satellite of 260 km – a previously unprecedented feat. geomagnetic disturbances. Over the course of the took a series of high-resolution measurements of project, the team also hopes to tackle hemispheric Earth’s gravity field. GOCE was equipped with an The team plans to use GOCE data alongside those asymmetries, solar flares and planetary waves, and electric ion thruster that balanced out any drag it of the Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) to establish the relationships between the space encountered whilst in orbit, and it was in a closed- Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) weather variations caused by solar, geomagnetic loop system with its three pairs of three-axis, servo- satellites and NCAR simulations in order to gain a and terrestrial meteorological forces. controlled, capacitive accelerometers to promote a better picture of thermosphere space weather. drag-free environment. To date, Forbes, Hagan and their co-workers have Now that the GOCE mission has finished, scientists used these data to study the variability of solar around the world are poring over the data it and lunar tides, small-scale waves has gathered in order to establish a clearer idea of Earth’s properties. Among these researchers are Forbes and Hagan, who are both part of a University of Colorado and NCAR joint project, which aims to investigate the space weather of the thermosphere. Forbes and his colleagues saw GOCE as a particularly attractive research opportunity, An artist’s depiction of the GOCE satellite. © ESA

66 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Research timeline INTELLIGENCE SPACE WEATHER LINKED Highlights of Forbes and Hagan’s research TO TERRESTRIAL WEATHER collaboration, spanning more than 30 years OBJECTIVES • To elucidate and understand how lower atmosphere processes and variability affect space weather in the upper 1982-88 atmosphere, including both the 1993-95 ionosphere and thermosphere Forbes and Hagan use 1D and • To establish how the response to this source of 2D tidal models to investigate The researchers perform a space weather interplays with that due to solar- and geomagnetic-driven variability effects of molecular diffusion, collaborative examination of composition and mean winds two- and 16-day planetary KEY COLLABORATORS waves with a 2D tidal on the vertical propagation Dr Sean L Bruinsma, Centre National d’Etudes of tides model Spatiales (CNES), France • Dr Astrid Maute, 1995 National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), USA • Professor Jens Oberheide, Hagan develops the first Clemson University, USA • Dr Xiaoli Zhang, version of the global-scale University of Colorado, USA 1997 wave model (GSWM) FUNDING using the 2D model as Current funding for this work is provided by the The pair uses 1D and 2D a blueprint models to estimate upper National Science Foundation (NSF) through Space Weather Program Award ATM-0719480, atmosphere tides generated by NASA Award NNX12AD26G under the by latent heat release in US Participating Investigator (USPI) Program, 2000-02 deep convective clouds and by the National Center for Atmospheric Research which is sponsored by the NSF. Together, Forbes and Hagan adapt Hagan’s CONTACT GSWM for Mars Professor Jeffrey M Forbes observations Project Coordinator 2010-13 Aerospace Engineering Sciences ECOT-634 University of Colorado UCB429 Forbes uses the Challenging Boulder 2008 Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) and Colorado, 80309 Hagan becomes Gravity Recovery and Climate USA Deputy Director Experiment (GRACE) satellites’ T +1 303 956 4958 of NCAR density measurements to E [email protected] delineate solar and lunar tides 2001-03 in the thermosphere JEFFREY M FORBES (PhD, Harvard, 1975) is Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, The researchers publish University of Colorado at Boulder, and holds the important papers based on Glenn Murphy Endowed Chair. Forbes is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) GSWM-02 findings that link latent and the American Institute of Aeronautics and heat release in deep convective Astronautics (AIAA), and recipient of the AIAA clouds to upper atmosphere Robert M. Losey Atmospheric Sciences Award tides and tidal variability ‘To recognise his extensive contributions to our knowledge and understanding of the re-entry, aerobraking and orbital drag environments of Earth, Mars, and Venus’. MAURA E HAGAN (PhD, Boston College, 1987) is Senior Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. Hagan is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) ‘For significant contribution to our understanding of how atmospheric waves determine the state of the atmosphere and ionosphere’.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 67 DR JASON STEFFEN Planetary system evolution

Dr Jason Steffen has been investigating the ways a planet’s orbital period is influenced by gravitational interactions with other planets, and is excited about what the future holds for this emerging field

How long have you been involved with the Could you discuss some of the (Florida Tech), and Bill Welsh and Jerry Orosz study of planetary systems? What sparked environmental challenges associated (San Diego State). However, these scientists your interest in this particular field? with the formation, dynamical evolution represent only a small fraction of the people and longevity of small planets? Has your who have been critical to the success of the I have been working in exoplanets for over work contributed to better understanding Kepler mission. a decade. I initially started working on these challenges? transit timing variations (TTVs), looking at Do you have plans to extend your research the variations of a planet’s orbital period An unfortunate fact of life for small planets to new areas? induced by gravitational interactions with is that they are small. This means they tend other planets in that system, as a ‘practice to lose when pitted against the whims of I keep a list of potential projects to work on. problem’. Following this, my intention was larger, gas giant planets. One fact we found These ideas usually surface when I attend a to study the galactic centre. However, the within the Kepler data is that hot Jupiter conference and hear what my colleagues are more my advisor and I learned about the planets – exoplanets which possess similar working on – conferences serve as a great source potential scientific impact of TTVs, the more characteristics to Jupiter – likely arrive at of inspiration. When I have time, I pluck one or interested we became in understanding the their locations through scattering with other two of those items off the list and plug away for nature of the TTV signal, finding data that large planets. These scattering events place a while. After further investigation, the projects would be appropriate for TTV analysis, and the Jupiter planets on very eccentric orbits either come to life and I start working seriously, investigating exoplanets in general. that plunge close to the host star. Eventually, or I declare them dead or not sufficiently tidal interactions with the star circularise interesting and remove them from the list. The Kepler satellite has greatly expanded the orbit of the Jupiter at about 1/20th of an understanding of exoplanets, having astronomical unit. During this process, any Over the coming decades, how do you discovered nearly 3,000 candidates since terrestrial planets in the inner part of the foresee exoplanet research advancing? its launch in March 2009. How have its system would not survive. We should all be findings enabled you to progress with your grateful that our gas giant planets did not go Exoplanet research has a pretty bright future. own research? through this process. Aside from surveys for transiting planets like the planned Transiting Exoplanet Survey The Kepler results are central to my research. With whom are you collaborating? Satellite (TESS) mission, there are new advances Much of my study into exoplanets involves in the Doppler measurement capabilities that either some form of analysis of Kepler data Most of my collaborators are colleagues I may be capable of an improvement in sensitivity or is motivated by those data. There are have worked with since joining the Kepler of nearly a factor of 10. There are new detection a lot of questions yet to be answered by science team several years ago. It is an honour technologies that will enable the direct imaging Kepler, many of which we would not have to work with people who have made valuable of young planets on orbits of a few astronomical likely thought to ask prior to the mission. contributions to our understanding of planets units. New capabilities to characterise I also think the developments I made with and exoplanets long before I began working planetary atmospheres are expected, especially my graduate advisor on TTVs have been with them. Recently, my closest collaborators with the forthcoming James Webb Space important to the analysis and interpretation are Dan Fabrycky (University of Chicago), Telescope and large, 30 metre class, ground- of Kepler data – much more important than I Eric Ford (Penn State), Jack Lissauer and based telescopes. These advances should keep could have foreseen. Jason Rowe (NASA Ames), Darin Ragozzine us busy for quite a while.

68 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION DR JASON STEFFEN

Exploring exoplanets

A team of scientists across the US is investigating the properties of terrestrial planets and planetary systems, ultimately seeking potential life-bearing planets beyond the solar system

SCIENTISTS HAVE LONG been fascinated with the existence of life in the vast and remote corners of outer space. In searching beyond our solar system, over a thousand extrasolar planets have been discovered, prompting questions such as: is Earth unique? Is there life on other planets? What fraction of exoplanets could potentially host life? These are certainly questions being explored by Kepler, a space observatory developed by NASA to search for Earth-like planets that are orbiting other stars. With the nearly 3,000 exoplanet candidates that the Kepler satellite has identified comes an exciting opportunity for the group to complete a wide range of follow-up observations and analyses, such as detecting additional planets within a system.

A team of researchers is building on the observations made by Kepler to study the properties of planets and planetary systems in order to determine how they are built, where planets form, how their orbits change over time, and how planet mass relates to the observed size. One team member, Dr Jason Steffen, a Lindheimer Fellow at Northwestern University, Illinois, is leading a project which aims to characterise the distribution of period ratios in Kepler systems – how far apart planets tend to be, how common are mean-motion resonances, and how often large gaps appear in planetary systems. In addition, Steffen is very interested in studying how the planets in a system interact with each other.

POWERFUL RESEARCH TOOLS Over the last couple One of the research methods proving to be particularly helpful for this project is monitoring of years, the team has transit timing variations (TTVs), which are the small variations in orbital period caused by developed a method to gravitational interactions among the different planets in a system. If a system is near mean- confirm pairs of planet motion resonance (where the period ratio is near a ratio of integers) the small gravitational candidates based upon perturbations tend to be added coherently rather their anti-correlated transit than randomly, and the deviations become much larger. According to Steffen, these deviations timing variation signals and provide the scientists with valuable information about the mass and orbital parameters of the dynamical stability interacting planets: “TTVs represent a very

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 69 INTELLIGENCE

OBJECTIVES To forge a link between where planets in a system form and where we observe them today. Information about planet formation is altered by the subsequent evolution of the system. Studying Exoplanets confirmed by Steffen and his colleagues using their method that combines transit timing how planets currently interact reveals variations (TTVs) and long-term orbital stability. The confirmed planets are in green, unconfirmed their histories and allows us to make planet candidates are grey. Comparison planets from the solar system are shown in blue. connections to their past. powerful method for searching for low-mass analysis to uncover), moving these newly KEY COLLABORATORS planets and measuring their properties, studying detected objects from the ‘candidate’ list to the Members of the Kepler Science Team and dynamical interactions within a planetary ‘confirmed planet’ list was a big bottleneck”. the Kepler Multibody/TTV working group system, and constraining the presence of They have now applied this method to a limited additional bodies within a system”. number of Kepler systems, ultimately confirming FUNDING over 60 of the roughly 100 Kepler planets. Having Lindheimer Fellowship, Northwestern In addition to TTVs, various statistical techniques seen some great achievements from this work, are proving useful for this research. By including confirming planets that are smaller University incorporating a range of statistical tests, they than 2.5 times the radius of Earth and those Grant from NASA’s Kepler Participating can determine the probability that a pair of TTV having among the longest orbital periods, Steffen Scientist Program (NASA grant signals is due to the interactions of two planets, is now keen to apply this method to all Kepler NNX14AB88G) instead of noise or some other astrophysical multiplanet systems in a uniform manner. “With phenomenon. “I also conduct work using the additional data now available, the resulting CONTACT numerical simulations of planetary systems,” planet confirmations will extend to longer orbital Dr Jason Steffen notes Steffen. Such techniques can consume periods and to smaller planet sizes than what has large amounts of computer resources with been accomplished thus far,” explains Steffen. Principal Investigator simulations sometimes needing days or weeks to 2145 Sheridan drive run on multiple computers. In some cases, Steffen The future looks bright for the researchers, who Evanston and his collaborators use existing software that will continue to examine the architectures of Illinois 60208 implements analytic formulae to measure planet planetary systems. Steffen also studies whether USA masses from the TTV signal that does not require there is any correlation between the sizes of such detailed dynamical simulation. Steffen’s the planets and the observed architecture. “The T +1 630 840 6370 collaborators at Northwestern University are hot Jupiters clearly show such an effect. They E [email protected] working to extend these models so that they do not have any nearby planet companions. are able to incorporate second-order effects The architectures of multiplanet systems with JASON STEFFEN is the Lindheimer that may arise. He explains that this work will smaller planets may also exhibit some correlation Fellow at Northwestern University help decrease the degeneracy between mass with stellar or planetary properties, but no and was previously the Brinson Fellow and eccentricity, and offers great value to their comprehensive search for such an effect has been at the Fermilab Center for Particle project in terms of speed and ability to process done to date,” he elucidates. With the increasing Astrophysics. He received a BS in Physics large amounts of data: “The advantage of these availability of Kepler data and more information and Mathematics from Weber State analytic methods, which have been shown to on multiplanet systems the team will be able to University in Ogden, Utah, in 2000 and yield results consistent with mass estimates undertake such a search and hopefully uncover a PhD in Physics from the University of obtained via detailed N-body simulations, is that some novel information about the processes at they are significantly faster, requiring only a small work in systems that host these small planets. In Washington, Seattle, in 2006. fraction of the time to compute planet masses in addition, Steffen plans to investigate a correlation suitable systems”. between the observed system architectures and In addition to his work in the field of the ages of those systems. “The number of times exoplanets, Steffen has led a laboratory that Kepler planets have orbited their host stars PIONEERING DISCOVERIES test of a model for dark energy (the can be nearly two orders of magnitude larger CHASE experiment) and worked on Over the last couple of years, the team has than the number of orbits Earth has made about experimental searches for dark matter and developed a method to confirm pairs of planet the Sun over its lifetime.” alternative theories of gravity. He also candidates based upon their anti-correlated TTV completed several studies on aeroplane signals and dynamical stability. Steffen points out Using many of the techniques that have been passenger boarding – devising a method that the discovery of this innovative method was employed by his team, Steffen is interested to that is markedly faster than methods driven by a desire to confirm which exoplanets see if dynamical effects, which can manifest after commonly employed by the industry. were legitimate: “At the time, Kepler was churning the solar system equivalent of a trillion years, out new planet candidates very rapidly. However, play a key role in the longevity of small planets. since there are several ways of making a signal At the same time, Steffen’s colleagues on the that looks like a planet (but that is actually some Kepler team continue to make headway in their combination of eclipsing stars – which often efforts to detect smaller planets on longer orbits takes a lot of supplementary data and associated – planets where life could exist.

70 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION PIONEER

@NASA pioneers of science:

Mae Carol Jemison Mission Spacelab-J, NASA’s space transportation system 47 (STS-47), sprang into action on 12 September 1992. On board the Space Shuttle Endeavour was the first married couple, the first Japanese astronaut and the first African-American woman ever to have entered into space. This trailblazer, Mae Carol Jemison, has since gone on to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM-based subjects and the arts

BORN IN DECATUR, Alabama, on 17 October 1956, Jemison’s family Jemison had a lasting desire to put her skills to use in space, and motivated made the decision to move to Chicago three years later to ensure she and by Sally Ride (the first American woman in space), applied for NASA’s space her siblings had a better chance of education. Jemison’s love of science was programme. She was accepted in 1987 after her second application. innate, and her fascination with the natural world kept her interest alive – constantly asking questions and looking for answers. Entering into space was a memory Jemison will never forget. Her only space mission was another defining moment in Black history, much like Not willing to stick to one passion, Jemison dedicated much of her Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman to fly an aeroplane. In schooling to dance yet, while she contemplated the idea of becoming fact, Jemison took a picture of Coleman, several West African art objects a professional dancer, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to attend and a poster of her dance company on the voyage. “Many people do not medical school: “You can always dance if you’re a doctor, but you can’t see a connection between science and dance but I consider them both to doctor if you’re a dancer,” exclaimed her mother at the time. be expressions of the boundless creativity that people have to share with one another,” explained Jemison in an interview with The New York Times At just 16, Jemison walked through the doors of Stanford University with a upon her return. National Achievement Scholarship and four years later, in 1977, graduated with a BSc in Chemical Engineering and BA in African and Afro-American As a public figure – once making a cameo in Star Trek: The Next Generation Studies. She was the leader of the Black Student Union and an advocate for – Jemison presented a role model for women, African-Americans, the equal rights, so what was hardest for Jemison during this time was not the underrepresented and anyone seeking inspiration from a driven individual. curriculum, but the racism that still lingered in the US educational system. She still does to this day, although now she favours advocacy work Pride and determination played in Jemison’s favour, although she would for science promotion amongst minority students. During tenure as a have preferred the situation, and therefore her attitude, to be different. Professor of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire (1995-2002), Jemison founded the Jemison Group to carry out R&D on By 1981, age 25, Jemison received her MD from Cornell Medical College, science and technology for daily life; the BioSentinent Corp, a medical New York. She spent part of her studies in Cuba and Kenya and even devices company; and the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, worked at a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand. Unable to shake off named after her mother, once an elementary English and Mathematics her second love, she continued to pursue dance at the nearby Alvin Ailey teacher. Jemison has stayed true to her fascination with space and imparts American Dance Company and has since choreographed and produced a her love to others through The Earth We Serve international science camp number of African and modern jazz shows. Jemison is proud of her heritage for 12-16 year olds, which has gained acclaim all over the world. and has strived to promote it through dance as well as her presence on the international stage. Space exploration began one year after Jemison’s birth and has quite literally skyrocketed in its scale and ambition ever since. It is a central Following an internship at Los Angeles County/University of Southern feature of American culture, and has bore witness to prevailing economic, California Medical Center and a job as a General Practitioner, Jemison served political and social conditions on a global scale. Human curiosity will for over two years (1983-85) as a Peace Corps Medical Officer in Liberia and inevitably keep such endeavours going, but strong and brave role models Sierra Leone, providing on-the-ground medical care and developing health are needed to guarantee progress. If Jemison’s legacy is valued and there and safety guidelines, while also conducting research at the Center for are more women ready to follow in her footsteps, then the sky’s the limit Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for vaccine development. for the future potential of scientific enquiry.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 71 Cheslatta River at Cheslatta Falls, tributary and source of the Nechako River, northwestern British Columbia. Canadian climate change DR STEPHEN DÉRY

Dr Stephen Déry, Canada Research Chair in Northern Hydrometeorology, discusses research projects on the Quesnel River Basin in British Columbia and wider concerns for freshwater supply in the area

air temperature to rise by ~0.6 °C during the risen by 8-14 per cent across the watershed in 20th Century, and it is expected to rise further response to more abundant precipitation. Snow this century. The temperature rise in the polar cover duration across the QRB varies linearly and alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere with elevation, and melts earlier as spring air is projected to be greater than anywhere else on temperatures are warmer than average. The Earth. I am thus investigating the consequences timing of the spring freshet for the Quesnel of climate change on the water cycle in these River at its outlet to the Fraser River occurs one regions. In particular, I am attempting to month after snow covers only half of the Basin, determine what effect climate change will have providing predictability for floods. on the environment in Canada’s northern and alpine regions: on snow, ice and water. Freshwater supply is a very real concern in BC. What has your research into snowpack One of your main research endeavours is to characteristics in northeastern BC revealed? quantify the changing role of snow and ice in the water cycle of the Quesnel River Basin Northeastern BC is undergoing rapid (QRB), located in the Cariboo Mountains of development in the oil and gas sectors with BC. What are the aims of this endeavour? subsurface extraction (through fracking) requiring abundant freshwater. This is often The QRB is a large sub-watershed of the Fraser sourced from readily available surface waters Could you outline your background and how River Basin. The QRB has the world’s largest in lakes, ponds, rivers and wetlands. These you came to be Canada Research Chair in fjord lake (Quesnel Lake) and its major tributary bodies of water are replenished annually in Northern Hydrometeorology? experiences one of the largest salmon runs of the spring following snowmelt (snow forms a the entire Fraser River Basin. UNBC operates the large component of the annual surface water I hold a BSc, MSc and PhD in Atmospheric Dr Max Blouw Quesnel River Research Centre budgets of these systems). However, analysis Science. Prior to arriving at the University of in the heart of the watershed, providing a base shows significant changes in recent decades. Northern British Columbia (UNBC), I was a for field activities and research within the QRB. Snowpack annual peak accumulation has risen postdoctoral fellow at the Lamont-Doherty We aim to determine long-term fluctuations, by 14 per cent during late winter and early Earth Observatory of Columbia University, trends and feedbacks in the hydroclimate of the spring. A key objective of our work is to develop New York, and then a visiting research scientist QRB using a network of 10 automatic weather a comprehensive water budget for Coles at Princeton University in New Jersey. I began stations. These are located at elevations of Lake of northeastern BC, where our industrial my position as Canada Research Chair in between 750 m and 2,100 m, giving information partner is extracting surface water for natural Northern Hydrometeorology upon arrival at on the air temperature, precipitation and snow gas extraction. UNBC in 2005. I am also Associate Professor accumulation gradients in this highly remote in Environmental Science and Engineering, and region. This will also yield data on the state, and How are you engaging students in your Natural Resources and Environmental Studies; fate, of the region’s seasonal snowpacks and research and encouraging them to take up a and I lead the Northern Hydrometeorology glaciers, which are expected to recede at an career in hydrometeorology? Group (NHG) at UNBC. accelerating rate with global warming. I have supervised 35 undergraduate and You are working on a range of different What have you achieved during your graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research projects. Can you provide an analysis of the QRB? research and field assistants. My approach overview of the areas you are investigating? varies considerably from one person to Research shows that the QRB has experienced the next. In all cases, I spend as much time My research focuses on the impacts of significant warming during the 20th Century, as required with each student, providing climate change on Canada’s northern and which has led to large declines in snow depth encouragement and support along the way. I alpine regions. The anthropogenic emission of in Quesnel, on the western margin of the also foster group interactions to enhance the greenhouse gases has caused the global surface watershed. Concurrently, streamflow has sharing of knowledge and skills.

72 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION DR STEPHEN DÉRY Hydrologic cycles

Researchers from the University of Northern British Columbia are providing fresh insights into snow and ice processes in Canada, and the impact of climate change on these processes. Their recommendations will aid water resources management, flood predictions and inform policy on issues such as adaptation measures

HYDROMETEOROLOGY, THE STUDY of the DIVERSE PROJECTS valuable data on the evolution of western Canada’s cycle of water in the Earth-atmosphere system mountains. Although great progress has been and the water budget (the inputs, outputs and net The NHG’s research concentrates on the role of made, particularly in showing large declines in changes to a water resource), forms the basis of climate change in the high-latitude and alpine snow depth and greater variations in streamflow, flood control and water-usage structures. Water water cycle. Current NHG projects include Cariboo more research is needed. Determining the effects quality and supply are of growing importance to Alpine Mesonet (CAMnet), a network of automatic of deforestation, industrial activities and climate the field with the advent of climate change and weather stations positioned at strategic locations change on the QRB water resources is crucial. The the expansion of industrial practices. within the Quesnel River Basin in central BC. resultant projections will shape climate change Déry’s own research within the NHG is specifically adaptation measures. Snow and ice are ever-present and vitally focused on developing a better understanding of important features of the Canadian landscape. the water balance in the Quesnel, Nechako and FLOOD WARNINGS Processes involving snow and ice have a large Fraser River watersheds of BC. bearing on the hydrometeorology of high latitude An important focal point of the NHG’s work is and elevation watersheds (areas which separate the Fraser River, the longest waterway in BC. MOUNTAINS AS WATER TOWERS waters flowing to different rivers/basins). Despite The Fraser River is economically vital to BC, advanced knowledge of these processes, there Mountains receive a disproportionate amount as Déry elaborates: “The Fraser River is the remain many fundamental areas that require of precipitation, giving them the appellation largest salmon river in the world and freshwater further study. Addressing these areas is urgent, of ‘water towers’. They store freshwater in extracted from there is used in many industries, as northern high latitudes are experiencing an snowpacks and glaciers, providing meltwater including forestry, agriculture and mining”. unprecedented period of climate change. This in that feeds many streams and rivers. The changing turn generates a pressing need to quantify the climate brings with it increased demands for Previous work has shown the Fraser River Basin role of snowcover on surface energy and water freshwater resources, and understanding the role to be a snow-dominated system. However, this budgets, both now and in the future. of mountains in the water cycle of watersheds is crucial to ensure these resources can be provided. In response, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Northern Hydrometeorology This particular research programme, entitled Diverse Group (NHG), led by Canada Research Chair in ‘Climate change and the water towers of western expertise Northern Hydrometeorology Dr Stephen Déry, Canada’, aims to quantify the changing role of By virtue of its diverse members, the has geared its research efforts towards better snow and ice in the Quesnel River Basin (QRB). NHG has expertise in: understanding the processes that govern snow The NHG’s work will be placed in the wider and ice. context of the entire Fraser watershed, providing • Meteorology and meteorological monitoring • Snow physics – redistribution of snow by wind and remote sensing of snow covers • River discharge in western Canada and the Arctic • The influence of forestry on snow cover, snow melt, hydrology and micro- meteorology

Kakwa Lake at Kakwa Provincial Park, northeastern British Columbia. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 73 INTELLIGENCE could be affected by climate change. In light of this, the NHG aims to evaluate the changing NORTHERN contribution of snow to the hydrology of the watershed. Hydrological model simulations from HYDROMETEOROLOGY 1950-2006 have revealed significant declines in OBJECTIVES the contribution of snow to runoff generation in the major sub-watersheds. Changes in snow • To quantify the water budgets and streamflow variability and trends of northern and alpine accumulation have also been shown to cause a Automatic weather station deployed by Stephen watersheds 30-day advance of the spring freshet (the flood Déry (left) and Ben McGrath (right) at Coles Lake, of a river from heavy rain or melted snow). • To establish the impacts of climate change on northeastern British Columbia. snow, ice and water resources Analysis of streamflow at 139 sites across the researchers, government partners, regional • To monitor weather and climate in the Basin revealed a trend of greater year-to-year health authorities and local First Nations. mountainous terrain of north-central British variations in streamflow, developed in response Conducting research with others working in the Columbia to a temperature increase in the Basin. The watershed facilitates a more comprehensive KEY COLLABORATORS century worth of data suggest intense flooding understanding of the system, during this project experienced in recent springs may become and beyond”. Data from 12 hydrometric gauges The UNBC Integrated Watershed Research more common. Paradoxically, but equally will be extracted from the Water Survey of Group: Dr Stephen Déry; Dr Philip Owens; Dr damaging, extremely low water flows are Canada’s Hydrometric Database (HYDAT) Margot Parkes; Dr Ellen Petticrew being observed in some parts of the Basin. The and the hydrological extremes at each will be Other key UNBC collaborators: Dr Darwyn research, published in Environmental Research assessed using methods developed by the NHG. Coxson; Dr Peter Jackson; Dr Brian Letters, showed that these extreme fluctuations Analysis will generate important information Menounos; Dr John Rex are negatively affecting salmon returns, water on historical flood frequencies, and allow Key collaborators at other institutions: Dr quality and resident safety. Continued efforts comparisons with model projections. Ross Brown, Environment Canada, Ouranos on behalf of the NHG will examine climate • Dr Chris Derksen, Environment Canada • projections for the 21st Century. The future of Although the project is in its infancy, preliminary Dr Paul Kushner, University of Toronto • Dr the Basin is a great source of concern to Déry: findings have already revealed warming of Laxmi Sushama, University of Quebec at “As the climate continues to warm, ecological 1.7-2.3°C between 1970 and 2009, which has Montreal • Dr Dennis Lettenmaier, University processes and human usage of natural resources significantly changed the amount and phase of of Washington • Dr Eric Wood, Princeton in the Basin may be substantially affected by its precipitation. Déry describes his hopes for the University • Dr Tim Stott, Liverpool John transition from a snow to a hybrid, and even a project: “Future work will establish a full water Moores University • Dr Francis Zwiers, Pacific rain-dominated, watershed”. Aside from climate budget for the entire Nechako River Basin and Climate Impacts Consortium change, there are other factors exacerbating this explore potential future climate change”. FUNDING process, including the recession of glaciers and a mountain pine beetle outbreak. Canada Research Chairs • Natural Sciences INFLUENTIAL FINDINGS and Engineering Research Council • Canada Looking ahead, Déry will continue to seek a Foundation for Innovation • Environment THE NECHAKO RIVER BASIN Canada • British Columbia Knowledge better understanding of streamflow variability Development Fund The Nechako River forms the second largest and trends. He will also forge ahead with his CONTACT tributary of the Fraser River. It is a productive existing research projects analysing climate salmon and white sturgeon river, and its change in the Cariboo Mountains, and is working Dr Stephen Déry freshwater is used in a plethora of industries to provide real-time access to meteorological Canada Research Chair in Northern within the watershed. Despite its significance, data from CAMnet. Hydrometeorology very little is known about streamflow trends, University of Northern British Columbia including flood occurrence. To address this More recently, it has been revealed that the 3333 University Way knowledge gap, the NHG has established a UNBC will form part of two inter-university Prince George research project to examine the annual, monthly research networks, which have the potential British Columbia and daily discharge data of the River. The data to influence climate change policy. Déry will V2N 4Z9 will be used to answer the following questions: be co-investigator in the Canadian Sea Ice and Canada is climate change leading to more or less surface Snow Evolution (CanSISE) Network, where he T +1 250 960 5193 water availability?; and what is the impact of will explore the effects of climate change on E [email protected] anthropogenic over natural influences on the weather phenomena in North Canada. He will Basin’s water resources? also partner with the new Canadian Network for http://web.unbc.ca/~sdery/ Regional Climate and Weather Processes, where http://nhg.unbc.ca Déry explains how he will integrate his research he will be part of a team working to improve the efforts with others in this project: “Our simulation of snow. The results will be important STEPHEN DÉRY has three degrees in research team will build on relationships with for citizens and policy makers alike. Atmospheric Science: a BSc and MSc from York University and a PhD from McGill University. He joined UNBC in 2005 as Canada Research Chair in Northern Hydrometeorology, focusing on how rising temperatures affect the water cycle. He also has appointments as Associate Professor in the Environmental Science and Engineering undergraduate programme and the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies graduate programme at UNBC.

Premier Range of the Cariboo Mountains, British Columbia.

74 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Advancements in aircraft morphing technology PROFESSOR FENGFENG (JEFF) PROFESSOR FENGFENG (JEFF) XI

Professor Fengfeng (Jeff) Xi has a passion for aerospace technology. Here, he outlines his research into the improvement of wing aerodynamics through the use of innovative wing morphing technologies

students and I studied the dynamics of bird structures, enabling them to withstand all flight. Birds have a very simple four-linkage type the loading (shear/torsion, bending, tension/ of modular wing structure. I became interested compression, etc.) while achieving four in identifying the key structure, or module, motions: dihedral (roll), twist (pitch), sweep in bird wings. There is a Public Broadcasting (yaw) and span. By using underactuation (the Service Nova episode about fractals in nature, theory that mechanical systems may function called ‘Hunting the Hidden Dimension’. It on a lower number of actuators than degrees shows everything in nature has its own building of freedom) the technology doesn’t have to blocks, ie. modules, which can be found in cloud use all the actuators, so only some members formations, tree limbs, in stalks of broccoli are actuated. We use a combination of four and craggy mountain ranges. These fractal-like active member and four passive links with a irregular and repeating shapes are now studied locking mechanism. Four passive members in the context of a new theory called fractal must be locked alternately in sequence to geometry pioneered by Benoit Mandelbrot, maintain the integrity of the structure while a Polish-born mathematician. This concept still providing the motion. It is also necessary to strategically aligned with industry and led to the devise a strategy that considers the changes in establishment of our current project. the aerodynamic centre (the pressure for lift), and the centre of gravity, to ensure that flight What is ‘morphing aircraft technology’ and How do you work with industry? stability is unaffected. what are its benefits? This is a Natural Sciences and Engineering You are currently at the prototype stage. In general, morphing aircraft technology tries Research Council of Canada (NSERC) project What is your end goal? to change the shape of aircraft wings in order in collaboration with Bombadier Aerospace. to optimise aerodynamic performance. The The programme requires researchers to secure We are still trying to extend this existing shape of the wing must change during take funding from a company and then NSERC project because we want to push it from off, cruising and landing. Current designs only doubles the contribution from industry. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1-3 (Research consider one condition (normally cruising), so Morphing wing is strategic research from & Development) to TRL 4-6 (Demonstration) they use high lift devices, such as flaps and slats the perspective of the aerospace industry. At and finally TRL 7-9 (Commercialisation). We for take off and landing. present we are working in Canada, but we are are currently in the developmental stages of expanding our connections through conferences transforming theory into practice and still need This technology can be classified into airfoil- and papers. We have special connections with to understand fatigue, safety, reliability, how to level morphing (2D) and wing-level morphing projects in the UK; my students exchange mount devices and so on. Too many actuators (3D). The former alters the chord, camber, information with the University of Bristol. would incur a power-energy penalty, so we are thickness and reflex of the airfoil to modify the Each company has different methods because now looking into a static balancing mechanism boundary layer and reduce drag. The latter alters they have different competitive angles, in addition to underactuation. the sweep, dihedral, twist and span of the entire so researchers must sign confidentiality wing to drastically reconfigure the aircraft in an agreements. We have published three high-level Will you be partnering with any other effort to achieve near-optimal performance. papers on this project, but we are only able to institutions or organisations during the discuss our methods in general terms. course of these investigations? Optimisation of performance achieves the highest lift and lowest drag. Through the What are some of the mechanisms you We will be exploring the opportunity to attachment of multiple actuators to the are developing? collaborate with other institutions, such as the wingbox, a flexible skin (composed of smart École de Technologie Supérieure (ETS) in Montreal material alloy or polymers) and an internal Variable geometry truss mechanism and the University of Toronto Institute for moving and locking mechanism, it becomes (VGTM) has been used in snake robots and Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) in Toronto, to combine possible to move the whole structure of the space structures. We developed the VGTM their airfoil morphing with our wing morphing to wing. None of these tools are currently workable technology so it can be adapted to wing develop a fully morphing wing aircraft. because the skin needs to be free from wrinkles to maintain laminar flow and avoid turbulence.

Could you describe your background, both educational and professional? What led to your interest in this area?

My background is actually in robotics and mechanisms, not aerospace, though I’ve always been fascinated by aerospace technology. My

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 75 PROFESSOR FENGFENG (JEFF) XI

Increasing aircraft versatility

Researchers at the Ryerson Institute for Aerospace Design and Innovation in Toronto, Canada, have been working on the development of a fully modular morphing wing, a concept which will significantly improve aircraft performance

AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT HAS, until recently, aircraft must perform tasks which are not within Airfoil morphing affects the airfoil shape of a wing focused on the advancement of fixed wing aircraft its range of optimal performance. that alters local aerodynamics to improve lateral which have a single mission scenario as their stability and manoeuvrability, while reducing air goal for optimisation. Most often this scenario resistance (drag). Wing-level morphing affects the IMPROVING PERFORMANCE is categorised as ‘high speed cruise’, although entire shape of the wing. It alters the twist, sweep, AND EFFICIENCY certain types of aeroplanes, such as military dihedral and span of the wing in order to optimise reconnaissance or fighter aircraft, have other Morphing aircraft technology provides a solution the wing shape for different scenarios, such as take optimal configurations. to this problem by developing adaptive structures off, cruise and landing. that are able to carry out multiple objectives. This There are numerous disadvantages to designing technology will help to improve performance A SINGLE MORPHING METHODOLOGY and optimising aircraft that is limited to a and efficiency in all flight scenarios. Morphing particular field. Mechanisms such as wing flaps aircraft will have improved flight envelopes In order to fully minimise instances of non-optimal are currently used as part of adaptive airfoil (design capabilities); augumented flight control performance during flight regimes, the actuation geometry, and though these mediate the problem and stealth; as well as reduced drag to improve scheme of an aircraft must incorporate as many of optimising a single mission scenario, they also range and reduce fuel costs. In the long term, it morphing wing capabilities as possible. Several reduce flight efficiency and manoeuvrability. In is predicted that morphing aircraft will replace the approaches to wing morphing are currently being the case of military aircraft, the reconnaissance or need for multiple aircraft with specific mission studied, though most current approaches focus on fighter aspect forms only a portion of the whole objectives, thus increasing overall cost efficiency. a single morphing methodology (sweep, dihedral, mission, so the efficacy of the craft’s functionality twist or span motion). is reduced at all other times. Among other There are two main branches of aircraft morphing: problems, this leads to increased fuel costs, as the airfoil-level morphing and wing-level morphing. Variable sweep allows a pilot to control the speed of an aircraft, and is particularly useful for dash manoeuvres and high speed flight. The dihedral motion refers to the upward angle of a wing; a positive angle affects the lateral stability of an aircraft around its roll axis, whereas a negative angle increases manoevrability. The twist of a wing allows for greater control over aerodynamic forces, helping to maintain a level body. Finally, the wing span affects aspect ratio and wing loading, which enables optimisation for specific flight regimes.

There are a few studies which have combined the function of two capabilities, but none so far have succeeded in producing a morphing wing which integrates all variable capabilities.

RESEARCH TO DATE Though wing morphing technology is widely regarded as an important and lucrative research venture, the majority of research to date has VARIABLE GEOMETRY WING BOX been theoretical and conducted in disparate areas, leading to a lack of cohesive and wider- 76 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AIRCRAFT Morphing aircraft will have improved flight envelopes (design capabilities); MORPHING WING USING VARIABLE GEOMETRY TRUSS MECHANISMS augumented flight control and stealth; as well as reduced drag to OBJECTIVES improve range and reduce fuel costs The principle of variable geometry truss scale development. Professor Fengfeng (Jeff) Xi, drag reduction and improved aerodynamic mechanisms (VGTM) will be applied the Program Director for the Ryerson Institute for performance. If successful, the winglets will to provide a systematic method for Aerospace Design and Innovation, Toronto, has allow for further development of VGTM fully developing morphing wings. Three aspects expressed the need for systematic research into morphing wings, and could be implemented on of fundamental research will be carried actuation methods and further development fixed-wing aircraft. out including motion, structure and of prototypes, as he explains: “Morphing wings aerodynamics. A new analysis method not only require motion capability but also The results of the VGTM experiments are called kineto-structural-aerodynamics sufficient rigidity to support aerodynamics and being measured through their effects upon analysis will be developed for VGTM morphing wings. structural loads. These practical issues have not motion, structure and aerodynamics to form a been fully explored”. ‘kineto-structural-aerodynamics analysis’. This KEY COLLABORATORS multidisciplinary approach allows for a balancing of the aircraft’s optimal performance, stability and Fassi Kafyeke, Director of Strategic VARIABLE GEOMETRY TRUSS MECHANISMS fuel consumption. Research; Patrick Germain, Principal In collaboration with Bombadier Aerospace, Engineering Specialist; Francois Pepin, Xi and his team at Ryerson, including Dr Paul Principal Engineering Specialist; Farzad FURTHER APPLICATION OF FINDINGS Walsh, Chair of Ryerson Department of Aerospace Mokhtarian, Manager of Advanced Engineering, have focused their research on solving In 2012, researchers at Ryerson published their first Aerodynamics, Bombardier Aerospace the problems of structural mechanisation and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Paul Walsh, Professor and Chair; Daniel control law development that are hindering wing (AIAA) Journal paper which presented a new Finistauri, PhD; Amin Moosavin, PhD, morphing. Their work has led to the application discretisation algorithm for the development Ryerson Department of Aerospace of variable geometry truss mechanisms (VGTM) of a modular morphing wing. The algorithm Engineering to morphing technology. VGTM are truss-based uses the total curvature distribution of a known structures comprised of linear actuators which reference wing to influence the configuration of Kamran Behdinan, Professor of can be manipulated to control movement. The a modular morphing wing. Throughout the wing, Department of Mechanical and Industrial mechanisms have already contributed to many more modules are placed in areas with larger Engineering, University of Toronto new developments, such as NASA Langley curvature to facilitate morphing. The algorithm FUNDING Research Center’s space crane and remote itself is aimed at calculating the minimum nuclear waste remediation. Xi believes that VGTM number of modules required for optimal wing Natural Sciences and Engineering Research technology can be used to fully integrate the performance. It is currently under development, Council of Canada – grant no. CRDPJ variable capabilities of a morphing wing. and the researchers hope that it will form part of 382247 – 2009 their overall conceptual design for a fully modular CONTACT VGTM modules can be integrated into existing morphing wing. structural components, with each module being Professor Fengfeng (Jeff) Xi inserted into one of the longitudinal sections In 2013, the team published a second article Director, Ryerson Institute for Aerospace that comprise the wing. They work together with in the AIAA Journal that presented a variable Design and Innovation extant wing structures and enable the wing to geometry wing box design and an associated Department of Aerospace Engineering morph in sections, allowing for greater control optimal motion control algorithm. By combining Ryerson Institute for Aerospace Design and over shape changes. There are no performance the principle of VGTM and under-actuation, each Innovation limitations with these modules; VGTM can cater wing module is designed with eight trusses: four 350 Victoria Street for all morphing methodologies as wings can be active with actuators and other four passive and Toronto automatically configured and reconfigured to lockable. There are two topologies: isostatic and Ontario M5B 2K3 meet specific flight requirements. hyperstatic. The first topology occurs during Canada reconfiguration when two of the four passive trusses are locked to combine with four actuated T +1 416 979 5000 x 7091 TESTING AND MEASURING MODULES trusses to provide six stiffness against forces and E [email protected] Two VGTM modules are currently being developed: moments in three directions. The remaining two www.ryerson.ca/~fengxi the morph-specific wing module and the morph- passive trusses are set free to work with four independent module. The former considers actuated trusses to provide six motions. The morphing requirements of individual wing second topology occurs at static shape when FENGFENG (JEFF) XI is Professor in the components, whereas the latter focuses on overall reconfiguration is completed and all passive Department of Aerospace Engineering wing morphing requirements. Morph-specific trusses are locked. Because of this topology at Ryerson University, and the current wing modules provide a degree of freedom (DOF) change, a motion planning method called Director for Ryerson Institute for Aerospace Design and Innovation (RIADI). for each of the four wing motions. Each module actuation sequencing was developed to morph His main research is in automation that requires the same DOF, though the direction a morphing wing through a set of intermediate has been supported by governments differs according to the motion. The morph- poses. These calculations were validated using and a number of aerospace companies independent module coordinates the morph- a prototype, which confirmed the functionality including Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney specific modules, preventing the occurrence of of the proposed motion control and variable Canada, and Messier-Dowty. In these nonlinear wing shapes. topology mechanism design. areas, he has edited a book, published over 80 journal papers and a similar Prototype VGTM winglets are also in the process The researchers hope that the results of their work amount of conference papers, filed of being built and tested using the Ryerson wind will ultimately provide a basis for long-term and two patent applications and received a tunnel. They are wingtip devices which can be sustained research and development of morphing number of awards including a Ryerson attached to fixed-wing aircraft to emulate many aircraft, as well as significantly influencing the Research Chair Award. of the features of a morphing wing, including future of aircraft design and manufacturing. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 77 Cottonwood conservation Professor Stewart Rood discusses his research into the adaptive physiology of riparian and hybrid poplars, and how this feeds into conservation efforts to protect cottonwood forests from human development

Why are you specifically interested in the problems and solutions. Rather than simply population decline of the cottonwood species? saying that they were killing cottonwoods, we indicated that the root elongation rates were After my work at the University of Toronto, I limited and if river ramping of an inch per day returned on a fellowship to southern Alberta. could be delivered, new seedlings would be I’d read about native cottonwood (river valley able to survive. With this as a defined goal, dam poplar) hybrids and I thought that it would be operators typically embraced the challenge and interesting to systematically study and collect considered operational strategies that would these to see if they also displayed hybrid vigour. deliver the ramping, without compromising other If natural hybrids occurred and displayed a similar factors such as water delivery for irrigation and PROFESSOR STEWART ROOD STEWART PROFESSOR capacity for superior growth, shouldn’t they hydroelectric power. dominate in natural systems? With these types of instream flow prescriptions It turned out that the native hybrids often did we aim not for a ‘win-win’ but a ‘win-neutral’ grow faster than the pure species trees, but they situation whereby we can improve the were also more susceptible to pests and diseases. environmental outcome without sacrificing the We thus learned about ‘hybrid breakdown’, an economic objective. ‘Win-neutrals’ have been opposing biological process that explains why achievable in every new river system we have hybrid vigour doesn’t dramatically benefit natural worked on. Could you describe your background and hybrids. This is a fairly robust pattern across many research focus in the field of plant biology? plant species. Are you hopeful about the future of cottonwoods? What measures need to be I’ve long been interested in the fundamental Is your work likely to have any wider taken to ensure their survival? control of growth rate of organisms. I was implications? particularly drawn to plants, as there are fewer I’m fairly optimistic, partly because healthy limitations to scientific study. It is possible to Absolutely. We’re not satisfied with merely floodplain forests provide such important propagate plants and expose them to a range studying these forest systems – conservation and and prominent ecosystem services. If we can of conditions, as well as cross strains, without restoration are primary objectives of our projects. demonstrate the benefits of cottonwoods to ethical or moral concerns. We’re looking at changes in management, water quality alone, we’ll be able to succeed in particularly dam operation and instream flow protecting many river valley systems. When other My PhD work involved the study of hybrid corn regulation, as a strategy to encourage native benefits are also taken into account, the case for (maize). We found that the cross-fertilisation cottonwoods and willows, and to suppress conservation becomes overwhelming. of northern corn inbreds produced hybrids invasive and noxious plants. which commonly grew three times faster than Further, recent floods in Alberta vividly contrasted either parent. We were especially interested in What are some of the constraints of this work the resiliency of native floodplain forests against hormonal regulation – the involvement of trace- and how are they being overcome? the cost and hazard of human developments level internal control substances that regulate along the river’s edge. In the long run, it’s much growth and development. We’ve been working with the owners and cheaper to let floodplains flood than to seek out operators of river dams for two decades and we artificial mitigation measures. Healthy floodplain After completing my PhD project I focused initially had to learn a lot about their priorities, forests absorb the flood peaks and convert on another system in which hybrids displayed objectives and limitations so that we could hydraulic hazard into environmental benefit dramatic growth responses: hybrid poplars. I collaborate effectively. It’s not productive to rather than provoking costs and hardship. studied at the University of Toronto’s Faculty tell a dam operator that they are ‘destroying of Forestry, which then was a global centre for the environment’, as some green groups seem hybrid poplar research. We discovered that there to do. Instead, we needed to define specific were many parallels between the hybrid vigour of corn and hybrid poplars, suggesting fundamental similarities across diverse plant groups.

Autumn senescence of Canadian cottonwoods.

78 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION PROFESSOR STEWART ROOD

A new band of cottonwoods along the Kootenai River in Idaho, USA, which followed changes in dam operations.

Give trees a chance A team of researchers at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, is investigating the effects that climate change and human development have on riparian cottonwood forests

RIPARIAN COTTONWOODS ARE poplar trees The project initially began as an investigation into hybridisation studies concentrate on the growth native to the Northern Hemisphere, characterised hybrid vigour, or outbreeding enhancement, of rates and resilience of artificial and natural hybrid by relatively fast growth and short lifespans. artificial and natural hybrid cottonwoods. Rood, trees in relation to environmental difficulties. They grow along river banks, lakes and wetlands, who was collecting native hybrids in Alberta, then and occupy an important niche within river and made a discovery that transitioned his research from Professor Melvin Tyree from the United States Forest floodplain ecosystems. Organic matter from these growth rates to the broader topic of conservation. Service has also brought his expertise to the team, trees nourishes microorganisms and invertebrates “While the cottonwood populations were specifically his knowledge of water movement and forms the basis for food chains. Furthermore, thriving in many locations, they were collapsing in plants. The team assessed the vulnerability of the shade they provide maintains a cool water downstream from some dams, particularly the cottonwoods to xylem cavitation, the formation temperature for fish; and their roots interact with St Mary Dam,” he explains. This dam was built in of vapour bubbles in the xylem vessels that soil to protect river banks against erosion. the late 1940s to intercept and store water from reduces a plant’s capacity for water transport. Glacier Park, Montana, and the team realised that This demonstrated the extreme vulnerability of In some areas, several species of cottonwood since its construction around 99 per cent of the cottonwoods, showing that they were the most can be found together, resulting in natural trees along the river valley downstream had died. vulnerable of all trees tested to date. interspecific hybrids. Five separate species Analysis of the remaining standing skeletons of of poplar grow together in Alberta, Canada, dead trees – as well as historical air photos taken Research has also been devoted to examining trees four of which are able to cross-fertilise. This of the area since the dam’s construction and the which could be adapted to conditions of chronic has led to the emergence of a broad range of investigation of population structures using tree stress. Professor Steve Strauss of Oregon State natural hybrids and diversified tree populations rings – allowed Rood and his colleagues to build a University has been developing transgenic hybrid throughout the area. complete picture of the damage to the river valley poplars with modified genes that affect gibberellin ecosystem due to the St Mary Dam. action and biosynthesis. This has led to the development of ‘green revolution trees’, semi-dwarf CONVERTING TO CONSERVATION hybrid poplars that may be able to grow in stressful THE THREE H’S Despite their important role in ecosystems, rapid environments such as industrial wastelands. growth speed and capacity for hybridisation, So far, there have been several papers published cottonwoods have been greatly affected by recent with different contributors bringing in their FLOODS, FIRE AND ICE river damming in natural areas, most specifically expertise to find a solution to the cottonwood river damming and diversion. Researchers problem – this being why these trees are so Cottonwood populations often depend upon from the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, dramatically affected by human development into physical disturbances and flood events that scour are working to combat the recent decrease in their watershed. the floodplains, allowing seedlings to grow and cottonwood populations that has followed roots to take hold. By following natural flood events human development. The team, led by Professor Investigations have been coordinated into three along multiple rivers, Rood and his team analysed Stewart Rood, is assessing the similarities and areas: hydraulics, hormones and hybridisation. the importance of these natural conditions for the differences between the four species of Canadian The hydraulic studies consider the relationship establishment of new cottonwood trees. cottonwoods that are capable of hybridising, linking streams and the flow of water through and also taking into consideration differences the riparian substrates, roots, shoots and In their analysis of the disturbance ecology of between male and female trees. They are also the atmosphere. Hormone studies focus on these trees, the researchers have found that investigating the artificial and naturally occurring the importance of gibberellins – substances where flooding had been attenuated by human hybrids that can be found in Alberta and across that regulate growth and developmental interference (such as river damming and flow the ‘Crown of the Continent’ – the central Rocky processes – in cottonwood growth responses to control), the positions of river channels became Mountain zone on the Canada-US border. changing environmental conditions. Finally, the stabilised. This in turn enabled grasses and upland

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 79 INTELLIGENCE Healthy riparian forest bands along the free-flowing Kootenay River in British Columbia, Canada. ADAPTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF RIPARIAN COTTONWOODS AND HYBRID POPLARS OBJECTIVES • To characterise the physiological ecology of native cottonwoods (river valley poplars) and native and artificial hybrid poplars • To develop new and effective strategies to conserve and restore cottonwood forests – especially in floodplain zones downstream from dams • To provide guidance for the development of stress-tolerant hybrid poplars KEY COLLABORATORS David Pearce; Matt Letts; Larry Flanagan; Joe Rasmussen; Alice Hontela; Craig Coburn, University of Lethbridge, Canada • John Mahoney, Alberta Environment, Canada • Abe Springer; Tom Whitham, Northern Arizona University, USA • Larry Stevens, Museum of Northern Arizona, USA • Melvin Tyree, USDA- Forest Service, Vermont, USA • Steve Strauss, Oregon State University, USA • Mary Louise shrubs to thrive and discouraged cottonwood damming, thus addressing both environmental Polzin, VAST Resources, British Columbia, seedlings from surviving. They concluded that and human interests. They have developed the Canada • Francine Hughes, Anglia Ruskin while the short-term impacts of river flooding Recruitment Box Model which works with the University, UK are dramatic, they enable subsequent long- concept of flow ramping to gradually reduce FUNDING term rejuvenation and sustenance for floodplain water levels at a rate that matches the seedling ecosystems. Ice scour and movement was also root elongation. This compromise allows Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada; Alberta Innovates shown to enable clonal root suckering and vulnerable seedlings to access the moisture they – Energy and Environmental Solutions (AI-EES); facilitate dispersive clonal propagation. Flow need while still allowing for water management Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource regulation and damming disrupted ice formation for irrigation and other humans uses. Development (AESRD) and therefore impacted the clonal propagation of cottonwoods. This model was tested in June 1995, using the CONTACT Oldman, Waterton and St Mary Dams. “It was Professor Stewart Rood a spectacular success,” Rood enthuses. “We Board of Governors Research Chair in enabled seedling colonisation of many millions of Environmental Science new cottonwoods and willows, along hundreds of The researchers have used an Department of Biological Sciences kilometers of river valley. Those new seedlings are University of Lethbridge integrative approach to try to now mature trees and the floodplain woodlands Alberta have rebounded dramatically.” This technique T1K 3M4 alleviate the problems caused by has subsequently been applied to six other rivers Canada in western North America. T +1 403 329 2327 river damming, thus addressing both E [email protected] environmental and human interests FUTURE PROJECTS STEWART ROOD has been a faculty member Most recently, the team at Lethbridge has at the University of Lethbridge for three Results were less universal when examining the defined a flow management strategy entitled decades, where he is currently Professor of impact of fire. The team investigated several ‘Functional Flows’. This strategy focuses on the Biology and the Board of Governors Research burned cottonwood groves over periods of up environmental opportunities for cottonwoods Chair in Environmental Science. He was to 15 years to determine the rejuvenation rates and for fish during wet periods and assesses how recently awarded a prestigious Killam Research of an array of different species. They found that they then respond to drier periods. Until recently, Fellowship and has been awarded a British while poplars including the narrowleaf and black most research in the field of river conservation Royal Society fellowship to work in Bristol, UK, cottonwoods thrived in burned areas, others, has been directed towards the problems of dry and a NATO fellowship to undertake research in TromsØ, Norway. His studies investigate such as the prairie cottonwood, displayed and low-flow years. The researchers has found the impacts of climate change, river damming minimal regrowth following fire. that their efforts in encouraging river and and flow regulation on river ecosystems floodplains rejuvenation during wet periods have and floodplain forests, with an emphasis on These results provided ample proof of the helped to improve resistance and resilience in conservation and restoration. He has served as importance of physical disturbances for difficult conditions. an environmental consultant to agencies across cottonwood tree success and promoted a ‘natural western North America that build and operate disturbance regime’ as a way of preserving the They are also able to work with former dams, working towards developing river flow dynamics of river-based ecosystems. Rood and students who have been employed in the river regimes that balance socioeconomic prosperity his colleagues concluded that river management flow regulation and river valley management and environmental sustainability. should allow flood and ice disturbances and sectors in Alberta, allowing for a greater support introduce controlled fire disturbances for certain with their cause from other government cottonwood groves. and private agencies. The researchers hope that their findings and strategies will be used throughout North America to ensure the REACHING A COMPROMISE health of floodplain forests and protection of The researchers have used an integrative approach river ecosystems in areas that are increasingly to try to alleviate the problems caused by river affected by human developments. 80 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Building resilience

Professor Gordon McBean, former Chair of the Joint Scientific Committee for the World Climate CC a R Research Programme, current Board Chair of START and Professor at Western University, talks candidly of the Coastal Cities at Risk project and how resilience can be forged for vulnerable townships

to assess the conditions necessary for to base the warning. In order to be effective lasting adaptation? in disaster risk reduction, there needs to be an effective response to the warning which will The CCaR project has interdisciplinary teams depend on coordination, good governance and in four cities; there is ‘on-the-ground’ know- appropriate action plans. Public awareness, how with access to information and experts education and communications systems are from their communities and governments. The key elements in order for the system to be project is incorporating this local knowledge effective. If potentially affected locations are in the context of overall strategic approaches. not alerted, and/or if the local and regional Part of the research has involved surveys and governmental agencies do not understand the questionnaires, and focus group meetings messages to know how to respond, the system with different population groups. will not be effective. For Hurricane Sandy, Andy Newman (2012) commented that: “Hurricane How have technological advances helped research and warning system saved lives,” and to better predict and respond to climate noted how astoundingly accurate the forecast change? Are you capitalising on these tools was and the positive return on investment in to aid your research? continued hurricane research.

What are the principal socio-political- There have been major advances in climate How important is educational outreach and economic factors you must consider when projections due, in part, to the enhanced building greater awareness to this project? building resilience for Coastal Cities at ability to observe and monitor the climate Risk (CCaR)? system. This includes satellite observations This is a very important part of our project. The of the atmosphere, sea level, etc. and Argos training of graduate students is a main thrust and In building resilience we need to bear in floats in the oceans to provide ongoing where major funding support is going. In each mind a broad range of socioeconomic, monitoring of the oceans. Expanded computer community we are conducting public meetings health, environmental and other related capacity allows for more refined and high and speaking with the media, as well as local factors. For example, for social and human resolution computer simulations. Another politicians, to raise awareness and knowledge. health resilience, factors include: age (very area of advancement is in 4D simulations of, young, old), disability, education, language for example, the impacts of sea level rise and The International Research Initiative to barriers, wealth, transportation, location and storm surge on coastal communities. This Adaptation to Climate Change (IRIACC) access to health facilities. Other issues are enhances the research and, when used with will terminate in 2016. What are your plans the maintenance of employment through public groups, motivates them to be active in for the next two years, and what legacy do prolonged events – such as drought. Resilience the project and to support adaptation actions. you hope to leave? will depend on having economic and social We are taking advantage of these technologies. systems that recover quickly, which may mean Over the next two years, we will bring the some redundancies of key systems. Could you provide examples of some of the research together to publish publications, existing interventions, whether successful theses and reports and we will also make You work across continents, in or flawed, which have been used to protect more public information available. We locations that exhibit varying degrees coastal regions? expect that the CCaR programme will leave of development, climatic extremes a legacy of enhanced adaptation and risk and existing adaptive capacity. Does An early warning system relies on monitoring reduction capacity, better-planned safer cities this present a challenge? Do you have and prediction systems, integrating risk and reduced socioeconomic impacts as the sufficient on-the-ground knowledge knowledge that provides information on which climate changes.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 81 CCaR

Resisting the rising seas

Protecting communities from natural disasters, such as flooding and storm surges, will be imperative as sea levels rise as a result of climate change. The Coastal Cities at Risk project aims to better understand hydro-meteorological events including their socioeconomic implications to build urban resilience

THE CLIMATE IS changing, creating many megadeltas globally, which represent socially the Canadian research councils CAD $2.5 new challenges for disaster management; and economically vulnerable areas at risk from million over five years to investigate the risks meteorological, hydrological and climatological sea-level rise and other impacts of climate climate-related hazards present to the people events present greater dangers to humans change. Many of these cities have very large and infrastructure of large communities. compared to most other events causing loss impoverished populations, who often live in The CCaR cities are: Manila, the Philippines; of life or economic damage. As the climate informal settlements alongside riverbanks or Bangkok, Thailand; Lagos, Nigeria; and continues to fluctuate it is inevitable that in proximity to coastal zones, making them Vancouver, Canada; all large-coastal cities on more frequent and extreme events will occur more susceptible to hydrological disasters. river deltas and threatened by climate change in the decades ahead. The potential power of due to multiple and intersecting hazards. these events to damage and destroy has been Manila, for example, is highly affected A GROWING PROBLEM, repeatedly demonstrated. For example, in by wind damage, whilst Vancouver has A GROWING VULNERABILITY October 2011, floodwaters inundated parts CAD $55 billion of exposed assets at risk of Bangkok and persisted in some areas until Recognising the need for enhanced research from sea level rise. Lagos is home to the January 2012. The death toll was close to 1,000 capacity throughout the developing world, the largest number of people vulnerable to and the World Bank estimated US $46 billion global change SysTem for Analysis, Research coastal inundation in Africa, and Bangkok’s in economic damages and losses. In June 2013, and Training (START) was initiated in 1992. population lives in one of the world’s 10 most heavy rainfall triggered catastrophic riverine With its secretariat in Washington, START now at-risk cities from potential sea level rise. flooding in and around Calgary, displacing more has regional offices throughout Asia and Africa than 100,000 people with four deaths; overall and provides research funding and leadership START is a CCaR partner and has continued cost estimates are $6 billion, making it the throughout these areas. The central ethos of with Cities at Risk workshops in Taipei in April costliest disaster event in Canadian history. In the organisation is to promote research-driven 2011 and in Durban, South Africa, in March October 2013, Thailand experienced flooding understanding of global environmental change 2013. The broad range of vulnerable cities of again in the North and Northeast regions. In specialising in risk management, biodiversity, the CCaR-START partnership allows for the 2011, the Philippines was ranked as the third food and water security and strategic planning. research to elucidate transferable information most at-risk country and experienced the highest In February 2009, START convened in Bangkok that can inform risk management policy in as number of natural disasters ever registered in its a strategic workshop on Cities at Risk. In 2010, many other contexts as possible. history (33) – including 18 floods and landslides the Canadian research councils – International and 12 storms. It is important that appropriate Development Research Centre, Natural Sciences The diverse socioeconomic and cultural preparations are made to ensure protection and and Engineering Research Council, Social aspects of the differing cities lend well to resilience to hydro-meteorological events for Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and a study that looks holistically at the many towns and cities. As the sea level rises, coastal Canadian Institutes of Health Research – issued variables such as age, education and access cities will need to undertake risk assessment, a call for proposals for International Research to health services, which come into play in strategic planning and policy and infrastructure Initiatives on Adaptation to Climate Change disaster situations. Already the team has made development in order to build community that would bring together scientific teams from headway in knowledge of anthropocentric resilience to flooding and storm surges. Canada with researchers from eligible low or resilience to natural disasters: “There is a middle income countries. better understanding of the factors that make Asia is particularly susceptible to devastation different groups more vulnerable and also caused by natural disasters; vulnerability A proposal building on the START initiative, some of the political motivations and the is exacerbated by rapid urbanisation that the Coastal Cities at Risk (CCaR): Building contrary that have and will continue to make is taking place as populations migrate Adaptive Capacity for Managing Climate adaptation effective in certain areas and from agricultural land to major coastal Change in Coastal Megacities Program was difficult in others,” explains McBean. metropolises. Governments are often unable one of the successful initiatives. Led by START to keep up with the speed of this growth; the Board Chair Professor Gordon McBean of CONDENSING THE ISSUE UN Centre for Human Settlements reports Western University and START Regional Centre’s that Asia remains host to over half of the Professor Anond Snidvongs of Bangkok’s A key goal of CCaR is to characterise the many world’s 1 billion people living in slums. The Chulalongkorn University, CCaR focuses on ways in which these cities will be affected as Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change major cities that are highly prone to coastal the climate changes. Most cities have central identified that 300 million people inhabit disasters. In 2011, the project received from areas of economic worth but they are often 82 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Mapping the INTELLIGENCE health impacts of an extreme event COASTAL CITIES AT RISK for Vancouver. OBJECTIVES To develop the knowledge base and enhance the capacity of mega-cities to successfully adapt to and cope with risks posed by the effects of climate change, including sea level rise. CCaR LEAD RESEARCHERS: Professor Anond Snidvongs, Chulalongkorn University • Professor Wijitbusaba Marome, Thammasat University, Thailand • Dr Richard Cooper, Southeast Asia START Regional Center • Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Manila Campus • Professor Emma underpopulated, with many more people MOTIVATING MANAGEMENT Porio, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon living in suburbs. The problems associated City, Philippines • Professor Ibidun Adelekan, with highly populated urban areas, such as Movement of ideas and recommendations University of Ibadan, Nigeria • Professor sanitation and health, are largely orthogonal between academic and local implementation Bolanle Wahab, University of Ibadan, Nigeria • to the problems associated with protecting spheres is essential if the project is to create a Professor Gordon McBean, Western University areas of economic value. wider resonance. CCaR is creating dialogues with • Dr Erin Joakim, University of Waterloo those in position to implement the emerging There are interdisciplinary teams of researchers Understanding the risks of climate change to new ideas and is directly testing their methods in each country these cities and presenting this information and results in collaboration with local decision CCaR PARTNERS: in a way that highlights critical areas is vital makers. A key part of the research involves to making effective policy decisions. The dialogue with stakeholders – those who make Global Change START International, Dr Hassan disasters at play are a combination of sea the decisions and who are currently involved in Virji, Executive Director • Integrated Research level rise and climate-related extreme events, disaster management. on Disaster Risk and the International Centre such as heavy precipitation and flooding. of Excellence located in Taipei • Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction • MEOPAR – There are levels of uncertainty associated A VITAL STUDY Marine Environmental Observations, Prediction with the hazards and human responses to and Response them that the CCaR researchers are carefully The importance of the CCaR project was considering in order to provide clear and underscored in November 2013, when Typhoon FUNDING actionable policy advice. Haiyan tore through large parts of South East Asia, CCaR is a five-year project, 2011-16, with a affecting the Philippines in particular. The most total funding of CAD $ 2.5 million. The funding One of the main aims of CCaR is to understand powerful typhoon recorded on land in history, is managed by the International Development coastal city disaster dynamics. To this end, a Haiyan is confirmed to have killed more than Research Centre (IDRC) in collaboration City System Dynamics Resilience Simulator 6,000 people, with 22,000 reported missing. In with the Natural Sciences and Engineering is being developed using data acquired from total, more than 11 million people were affected. Research Council (NSERC), Social Sciences and the four cities. A city can be thought of as a Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). collection of interconnected systems, such The Philippines CCaR team, led by Antonia as emergency services, hospitals and power Loyzaga of the Manila Observatory, and Professor CONTACT and water supplies, and through modelling Emma Porio of Ateneo de Manila University, Professor Gordon McBean these systems, insight can be gained into is continuing research into this disaster while CCaR Canadian Principal Investigator the way cities operate during times of helping to respond wherever possible. Director, Policy Studies, Institute disaster. The systems dynamics simulation for Catastrophic Loss Reduction for understanding city resilience – the ability CCaR is not only helping to systematically Co-Director, Centre for Environment to survive disasters and quickly recover – can analyse and prepare for these events, but and Sustainability provide crucial quantitative evaluations of has potential to open new doors to research: Western University cities that can be used in disaster management “One of the outcomes will be a cadre of new Department of Geography and city planning. This will provide a more scientists who through their own research Room 2431, Social Sciences Centre systematic, scientific understanding of how and teaching will extend the research to other London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C2 to manage disasters in coastal areas. areas,” McBean concludes. E [email protected] T +1 519 661 2111 x 86036 www.coastalcitiesatrisk.org Informal communities are especially vulnerable. www.start.or.th/iriacc-project

GORDON MCBEAN has been with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction since 2000 and is now also with the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at Western University, London, Canada. He is President-elect of the International Council for Science; Chair of the START Board; Chair, Ontario Regional Climate Change Consortium; and Chair, Canadian Climate Forum.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 83 ANALYSIS

Genetics Society of Japan

GSJ has been conducting leading genetics research for almost a century. President Endo Takashi discusses their current activities and shares his thoughts on the future of genetics

The Genetics Society of Japan (GSJ) has a longstanding tradition the website. Through this activity, the members became familiar with in the field of genetics. Could you provide a brief history of the my work and voted me the president of GSJ. Society, referring to its mission, vision and aims? I have been a plant cytogeneticist for over 40 years, specialising in GSJ branched off from the Japanese Society of Breeding and officially chromosome rearrangements of wheat and its related wild species in became an independant organisation in 1920. In the same year, the UK’s the genus Aegilops and crop species such as barley and rye. Genetics Society was also formed. Today, the number of Society members has reached 923. Its main functions are to hold annual meetings and What have been the most groundbreaking events in the field of publish the society’s journals, the Journal of Genetics, published from genetics during the 21st Century? Which advances have you found 1921-95 (vol 70), and Gene & Genetic Systems from 1996 (vol 71) to most interesting? present (vol 88). I’m not sure anything in particular caused a paradigm shift in the As the 30th President of GSJ, what are your chief 21st Century as most epoch-making inventions took place in the responsibilities? How have your own skills and experiences 20th Century. If I had to choose what technology is most exciting, led you to this position? I’d say next-generation sequencing because it has transformed the style of research in genetics and evolutionary biology towards more In addition to the regular duties of President – choosing and awarding computational study. society prizes, making recommendations for various research grants and awards, and holding the council and general meeting of GSJ – I aim to Does the Society provide training and education to upcoming keep the Society highly active, especially in terms of membership. scientists and researchers?

I served as the Editor-in-Chief of Gene & Genetic Systems for seven As a Society we do not provide training and education, but we do hold years, during which I made vast improvements to the editing system on ‘Genetics Colloquia’ – which offer a broad overview of genetics and

84 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS

the chance to discuss genetics and its related fields – for students and promotes public awareness of genetics, especially to ensure high school young scientists occasionally. biology teachers work for the Society.

To what extent does the Society’s work reach out beyond Japan? You are currently studying the structure, function and variation of DNA in crops such as rye, barley and wheat. What results have you GSJ has very few foreign members; however, it does have some foreign obtained so far? editors (five out of 35) and receives many contributions from abroad (>50 per cent). We have not yet reached out beyond Japan, but we are I am introducing barley and rye chromosomal segments into bread wheat increasing the number of foreign editors and contributors by using the through a genetic system I developed – it became clear that the system five-year grant we have recently been given (2013-17) by the Ministry of could dissect a barley or rye chromosome and incorporate the dissected Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan. segments into bread wheat. These wheat lines carrying segments of barley or rye will be useful for genetic and genomic studies as well as future wheat You recently moved to the Czech Republic to set up a new breeding practices. laboratory. What work will you be undertaking there? Which tools or techniques have you employed to examine the molecular I am a Visiting Professor at the Centre of the Region Haná for cytogenetics and molecular population genetics in crops and plants? Biotechnological and Agricultural Research. My role is to lead a research team focused on genetic engineering of plants, and mentor junior I use a fluorescence microscope as well as a regular optical microscope. The researchers of the team individually. techniques I use are the chromosome squash method, in situ hybridisation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When will GSJ host their next Annual Meeting? What have been some of the most recent themes to crop up and what opportunities Are there any other studies you are hoping to pursue? What do you are afforded during these meeting? foresee for the future of genetics?

The Society’s 86th meeting will take place on 17-19 September 2014 at I am too old to start a new study; I would rather continue to refine the subject the Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Shiga Prefecture. and techniques I have been studying over the past four decades. In terms of the future of genetics, I think that DNA sequencing and bioinformatics will In the 85th meeting, we held a public lecture for citizens entitled ‘The new continue to evolve, but I do not see any major horizon expanded by the genome studies’, and in the 84th meeting, we had breakthroughs just yet. another open lecture called ‘Human health and 21st Century’s genetics and genomics’. We always hold an open lecture for citizens. Additionally, during every meeting the Society hosts sessions for workshops and symposiums on themes that organisers or members of GSJ would like to discuss. www.gsj3.jp/eng How important is public engagement for GSJ?

The public consider genetics a complicated issue that is irrelevant to them, but it impacts everybody, from patients with hereditary diseases to farmers working with GM crops. Therefore, it is crucial that GSJ

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 85

Heightened interests

Drs Charles M Tolbert, F Carson Mencken, T Lynn Riggs and Jing Li discuss how restructuring in the

US banking system over the last 30 years is affecting civic wellbeing in America’s rural communities M TOLBERT CHARLES DR

By using the confidential Census data, we are also able to distinguish local single establishments existing only in one place from entities that are part of multi-establishment enterprises. Moreover, we can identify small local chains of financial institutions versus regional enterprises composed of branches. This enables us to study how rural financial institutions fared across a period of substantial national change and how the local mix of financial organisations may have Could you briefly outline your latest research How important are traditional financial changed on a county-by-county basis. into the changing face of traditional financial services to rural communities and small services in rural America? businesses? In what ways do they differ Have you partnered with others during from large financial institutions? the course of your work? How important Drs F Carson Mencken, T Lynn Riggs, Jing is collaboration? Li and I have collaborated on a number Financial institutions are the source for of projects regarding small business and much of the venture capital in a community Our partnership with the US Census Bureau, and entrepreneurship in rural US. For several years, and therefore are critical to the success of especially its Centre for Economic Studies (CES), we have studied the seemingly simple act of small businesses that lie at the core of a has proven invaluable. CES houses the datasets becoming an employer. The need for more civic infrastructure. The consolidation of the we have employed to develop our financial jobs is a prevailing theme in post-industrial US banking system in the 1980s and 1990s services database. CES runs a Research Data societies and is particularly important in has led to fewer rural community banks Center system which is a network of secure labs rural areas that are experiencing a loss of available to fund local enterprises, meaning in which we can access the confidential data. population due to natural causes (eg. deaths that relational banking has given way to Moreover, CES experts have been very helpful exceeding births) and lack of opportunities. impersonal banking. Increasingly, we see in understanding the nuances of the data and With many rural manufacturing jobs exported branches of banks that are headquartered making suggestions for refinements. to lower wage destinations overseas, the in faraway urban areas, and we also find best hope now for rural employment growth some extreme cases of local financial Are you planning to extend your research is the development of local businesses and ‘deserts’ where there are extremely few or no further? In which direction would you like encouragement of entrepreneurship. traditional financial institutions. to take this work?

What are you hoping to achieve through How are you conducting your research? We have obtained data on loan application this latest research project? How might it Which financial data are you drawing on? outcomes for all US small business and help small businesses? farm loans for the last decade. We are very Data on financial institutions have been interested in studying whether communities We are looking at the available resources for extracted by Dr T Riggs at the US Census with relatively more local banks show small businesses, most notably what financial Bureau. Because we have been permitted higher approval rates than places with fewer support there may be for start-up and to use a version of the Bureau’s national community-orientated banks. expansion. We are learning that traditional business register, the Standard Statistical financial services are increasingly not available Establishment List (SSEL), which contains Looking to the future, how do you foresee or amenable to rural entrepreneurs and names and addresses, the data can be relationships evolving between the financial small enterprises. In our research, we hope used to parse out specific types of financial services industry and small rural businesses? to identify what resources are being used to organisations such as banks, savings and loan support nascent rural businesses. institutions, credit unions, consumer finance We believe that nontraditional financial companies, check cashing establishments services, such as consumer loan companies, and pawn shops. This allows us to chart the quick cash loan outlets and pawn shops, will changing composition of rural financial service be more important to small rural businesses in institutions over time in a way that is not the future than the conventional, traditional possible with publicly available data. financial services like banks, savings and loans institutions and credit unions.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 87 DR CHARLES M TOLBERT Chasing capital Researchers at Baylor University are assessing the wider implications that deregulation of the US banking system during 1976-2007 has had on traditional financial services and subsequently entrepreneurs and small businesses in rural areas

THE DRAMATIC CHANGE of the US banking in sociology at BU. The importance of understanding financial climate, relational lending occurs when the structure over the last 30 years, through the relationship between the wellbeing of rural particulars are based on informal, nontraditional deregulation and the easing of restrictions, has communities and their ability to generate jobs information known as soft data. As inhabitants had a significant impact on the fortunes of small and wealth locally has earned the project support of the community they serve, loan officers in the business owners and entrepreneurs alike. Locally from the US National Institute of Food and past would often be familiar with an applicant’s orientated financial services that once served Agriculture (NIFA) as part of its Agriculture and credit history and reputation in the community. rural communities have largely been replaced by Food Research Initiative. As Tolbert asserts: “When Being left to their discretion, the decision to lend national banks as consolidation at the firm level rural communities decline, nothing less than the would be influenced by a fairly complex range of and a vast increase in the number of branches has food security of the US may be at stake”. factors and has been linked to lower interest rates, occurred across the country. There are concerns reduced collateral requirements and increased that a less personal and more standardised form The US Census Bureau is allowing the team via a credit availability. However, as loan officers are of banking is making it harder for prospective secure laboratory setting to access a vast wealth increasingly foreign to the community and serving business owners to access the capital they need of information that they will need for the project. much larger areas, expediency calls for standardised and that this may be having a detrimental effect The information contains the names, addresses, lending strategies based on ‘hard data’. This on the communities at large. industry codes, payroll, annual employment invariably makes lending a clearly defined process figures and revenue measures of financial services where credit-scoring is all that counts. While locally owned banks and other traditional in the US, dating from 1976, a pivotal time in financial services (TFS) continue to disappear, the restructuring of TFS. The acceleration of For entrepreneurs wishing to start their own alternatives may be sought in the prevalence of deregulation and the relaxing of international, enterprises for the first time, the lack of a reliable high interest nondepository institutions such as inter- and intra-state banking restrictions in the credit history poses obvious problems. “This will pawn shops, cheque cashing businesses and pay 1980s can be seen in full force. The group’s work have deleterious effects on the local economy day loan operations, where the risks of borrowing introduces the concept of ‘civic capitalism’ – the as one-third of all new jobs are created by new are greatly increased. Researchers at Baylor idea that the wellbeing of rural communities businesses,” explains Tolbert. For banks that are University (BU) in Waco, Texas, are interested in is dependent on a thriving, locally-orientated willing to lend, the reticence of others means high the effects restructuring is having on small-town business class. According to the Federal Deposit interest rates can be justified. Obstacles in obtaining life in the US. In their quest for answers, they have Insurance Corporation (FDIC), between 1984 and financial help from TFS has led prospective business initiated a project which takes a quantitative and 2011 the number of banking firms in the US fell owners toward riskier alternatives where the lack qualitative look at the shift from local to absentee by more than 50 per cent to just under 6,300, of credit checks, easy process and geographical owned TFS and the emergence of alternative while the number of branches almost doubled, proximity all contribute to their appeal. Finding financial services (AFS) in both urban and rural rising to more than 83,000. Traditionally reliant that TFS and AFS tend to be situated in more areas over the last three decades. on a personal relationship with local banks to gain and less affluent areas, respectively, or in the access to capital, their gradual disappearance is same locale but serving higher and lower income making it harder for entrepreneurs to act as vital consumers, Tolbert and colleagues expected the CIVIC CAPITALISM agents of social and economic development. credit frustrations of prospective business owners Directing the project is Dr Charles M Tolbert, to mirror this scenario. Surprisingly, a review of Professor of Sociology at BU and currently serving the Survey of Business Owners does not lend itself RELATIONAL LENDING as Chair of the University’s sociology department. to the notion that AFS is filling a credit void for Joining Tolbert is Dr Jing Li, a Postdoctoral Key to the progressive disassociation between nascent business owners. They found that 30 per Researcher at BU, and the project’s co-directors Dr F prospective small business owners and large cent of start-up businesses rely on TFS loans while Carson Mencken, Professor of Sociology at BU, and commercial banks is the breakdown of relational 50 per cent are kick-started by the individual’s own Dr T Lynn Riggs, an economist and visiting scholar lending. Increasingly anachronistic in the current personal finances.

PERSONAL FINANCES Interviews conducted with entrepreneurs and small business owners revealed that high interest nondepository institutions like payday loan operations are avoided where possible. The

88 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION 0.8 INTELLIGENCE LOCAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE PERFORMANCE OF RURAL ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS 0.6 OBJECTIVES To determine the impact that restructuring of the financial services sector has had on small business owners and entrepreneurs and financial capital in rural communities. 0.4 KEY COLLABORATORS Co-Directors: Dr F Carson Mencken, Professor of Sociology; Dr T Lynn Riggs, an economist with a courtesy appointment in Sociology, Baylor University (BU), Texas, USA 0.2 Dr Jing Li, Postdoctoral Researcher, BU, Texas USA FUNDING 1980 1990 2000 2010 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative of the US National Institute for Food and Agriculture, Metro Micro Noncore grant no. TEXR-2010-04719 (not rural) (rural, medium-size town) (rural with or without small town) CONTACT Charles M Tolbert, II The graphic shows a precipitous decline in locally owned banks in all types of areas, but especially in rural areas. Principal Investigator Before the restructuring and consolidation, nearly 80 per cent of rural noncore areas banks were local. By 2007, Professor and Chair Department of Sociology less than 30 per cent of noncore banks were locally owned. Baylor University PO Box 97326 dangers of being caught in a spiralling credit trap With the amount of locally owned TFS declining Waco, Texas 76798 with unreasonable terms appear to be well known. most rapidly in the more rural counties, Tolbert USA Increasingly, then, personal finances are coming and colleagues project that the social and T +1 254 710 6060 to be relied on as a means to starting a business. economic impact of diminished relational E [email protected] The individuals interviewed expressed either lending will not just affect individual consumers dissatisfaction with a bank’s interest rates or more but large organisations as well. The reduction of CHARLES M TOLBERT, II, PhD, obtained his often reported outright rejection. Where some had business persons nested in the local community doctorate from the University of Georgia in enough capital to start and are patiently waiting means less interest and investment in their 1980. After holding faculty positions at Emory, to turn profits on their ventures, more people are development, fewer opportunities for job creation Florida State, and Louisiana State University, turning to relatives, remortgaging their homes or and a fading sense of civic wellbeing. While the he is presently Professor and Chair of the drawing on their pensions. The risks are clear, but team’s research continues to examine the effects Department of Sociology at Baylor University. for the 30 per cent obtaining loans from the bank, of financial restructuring on rural American life He is also a research scientist at Baylor’s Center for Community Research and Development and it is an equally challenging position. On top of a they are clear about how prospective small a Research Associate with Special Sworn Status credit check and business plan approval, it is now business owners seeking traditional financing at the Center for Economic Studies, US Census common place to require collateral for 80 per cent need to change their outlook, as Tolbert states: Bureau. Tolbert has longstanding interests in of the amount being loaned. Securing a loan from a “They need to learn to pitch their ventures not social stratification, quantitative analysis, rural TFS, therefore, may also require people to gamble to locals, friends and neighbours, but to faraway, development and applied social demography. the equity of their home. unknown banking officials”. Most recently, his research has focused on the community benefits associated with locally orientated rural business establishments.

Tolbert is the author of three books and numerous agency reports. His research has appeared in social science journals such as the American Sociological Review, American Journal of Sociology, Rural Sociology, Social Forces, Social Science Quarterly, Environment and Planning A, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy, and Society and in policy outlets such as Rural Perspectives and American Demographics. Tolbert’s research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the US Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, and Labor. He has served as President of the Southwestern Sociological Association, the Southern Sociological Society, and the Southern Demographic Association.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 89 Focused on friends

Dr Yann Bramoullé discusses how the recent explosion of interest in social networks is playing an increasingly central role in applied economic research. His work to better understand how individuals are influenced by social networks could have significant implications for policy and beyond so. My primary objective is to understand into distinct groups, such as classrooms, and where these correlations come from. More interact with every other member of their own precisely, I am developing new statistical group, but not with members of another group. methods, based on social networks, to break However, social interactions in many contexts down these correlations. are embedded in social networks.

DR YANN BRAMOULLÉ DR YANN What data are you analysing and why? Does We have shown how the network structure it have any limitations, and if so, how are helps to provide credible estimates of social you navigating these difficulties? effects and that the statistical study of social networks effectively complements earlier We have been working with data from a insights and techniques built on group setups. large-scale representative survey of teenagers’ One exception here is spatial econometrics; behaviour in the US, called the National there are many connections between the Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health. econometric study of spatial data and the It has become popular among researchers econometrics of social networks. working on networks because it contains detailed information on social relationships. What are the broader implications of your research to areas such as adolescent The fact that friendships are self-reported behaviour and government policy? How else How would you define econometrics in the raises a number of difficulties, such as might this work be of benefit? context of social networks? What is the aim subjective interpretations and measurement of your work in this field? errors. For instance, a large proportion of Determining the precise reasons behind friendship nominations are not reciprocated. correlations in outcomes is important The econometrics of social networks is So far, we have dealt with these difficulties both to gain a better understanding of a branch of the statistical study of social using standard statistical methods such individual behaviour and in terms of policy networks. Econometrics refers to methods as robustness checks and Monte-Carlo implications. In the presence of true social and tools developed by applied economists. simulations. For example, we look at whether effects (contextual effects and social As economists, we bring the strengths, and statistical estimates change when varying influence), decision makers may wish to alter weaknesses, of our discipline to the empirical the precise definition of a social relation or the socialisation patterns of individuals, for study of networks. These include our expertise when adding and removing links at random. example by paying special attention to the in handling large-scale representative data However, these issues warrant a more composition of classes in high schools. In and paying careful attention to causality and systematic methodological effort, which addition, social influence gives rise to a ‘social to the microfoundations behind the statistical forms a clear part of the collective multiplier’ – any effect on individual models. The objective of this study is to research programme on the statistical study behaviour tends to be amplified by peer understand both the determinants and the of networks. effects, which may be harnessed by well- impacts of social networks by analysing data conceived social programmes. collected in contexts where networks matter. How does this research build on previous studies that have sought to understand the Our analysis also has implications for the way Could you discuss the main goals of your factors that determine how individuals are researchers collect data on social networks. investigations into the econometrics of influenced via social networks? In particular, we have shown that obtaining social networks? reliable information on the absence of relations Our research builds on a large empirical between people may be critical. When two In most empirical studies, we observe strong literature on peer effects. Applied economists people are not related, a statistical association correlations in behaviours and outcomes among and other social scientists have been between their behaviours must be mediated social neighbours. For instance, teenagers are investigating social effects for a long time. through the network. However, to be confident much more likely to smoke, to have good grades So far they have mainly focused on group about this mediation, we need to be sure about or to engage in risky behaviour if their friends do interactions where agents are partitioned the absence of links.

90 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION DR YANN BRAMOULLÉ Understanding peer pressure

With the importance of social networks increasingly being recognised by economists, research being carried out at Aix-Marseille University in France aims to overcome the challenges in developing accurate models of group behaviour

IT HAS LONG been suspected by economists that a greater understanding of group behaviour requires models that can accurately describe the complex interactions of peer effects. Recently this has led to a huge increase of activity exploring how specific groups influence the individual agents within are two researchers from Laval university, Dr source of information to a wide range of them and how these agents in turn influence Vincent Boucher, an assistant professor and disciplines, the details of social networks and the group to which they belong. Using the Dr Bernard Fortin, a professor of economics. outcomes of interest that Add Health contains tools and methodologies of econometrics to A third researcher is Dr Habiba Djebbari, makes it ideal for these purposes. study social networks, researchers have been an associate professor of economics at able to gain insights into a wide range of Aix-Marseille University. With their help, With each student asked to name up to five areas; educational choices, obesity, welfare Bramoullé’s work has focused on the division male and five female friends, the survey participation, academic achievement and of peer effects into four distinct types. provides the requisite data for reconstructing the employment of war veterans are just a a network of self-reported friendship few examples. Bramoullé offers an analogy of people’s relationships. Using this information, smoking habits, a behaviour that is strongly Bramoullé is able to separate the endogenous Although the body of work in this field is mediated by social interactions, as a useful and contextual social effects within a network, growing, empirical evidence remains scarce illustration of these concepts. It has been a key finding that points to the influence of as attempts to determine what drives observed that smokers are often likely to network characteristics: “We have shown how the correlation between the outcomes of gravitate toward other smokers (homophily). the ‘intransitivity’ of the network may help the individuals who interact together continue Moreover, a non-smoker may be influenced identification and estimation of social effects,” to present social scientists with serious by their friend’s habit and take up smoking states Bramoullé. The concept of intransitivity challenges. In order to achieve reliable (social influence) while their neighbourhood provides convincing evidence of the effects estimates of peer effects, one must be able to might be subject to heightened availability of social influence on an agent because it identify the relevant peer groups, distinguish in the form of cheap contraband cigarettes describes the relationships between friends of between peer effects and confounding factors (common shocks). The contextual effects in friends. If A is friends with B, and B is friends and, finally, disentangle the various peer this instance could be that a social neighbour’s with C, it does not necessarily follow that A is effects to determine which is at work. Factors parents are doctors whose knowledge of the friends with C. If a shock affecting friend C is such as the reflection problem, identified by dangers of smoking emanates outward into connected to a change in friend A’s behaviour, Professor Charles F Manski in 1993, can lead to their child’s friendship circle. it can only have been mediated by the social cases of mistaken identity and fallible results. influence of their mutual friend, B. FRIEND OF A FRIEND NETWORK BEHAVIOUR In determining how the social network and its Using the structures and determinants architecture can help to bring about a greater of groups connecting individuals, the understanding of peer effects, Bramoullé’s Econometrics of Social Networks project work seeks to elucidate the factors that aims to provide innovative statistical influence the formation of networks and methodologies for accurately distinguishing how they bear upon the quality of peer between peer effects. Formerly funded by effect estimates. With extensive data on the Social Sciences and Humanities Research 90,000 students in US schools, the National Council of Canada (SSHRC), the project is Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health spearheaded by Dr Yann Bramoullé, French (Add Health) has enabled Bramoullé to make National Center for Scientific Research significant progress in characterising the (CNRS) Research Fellow at Aix-Marseille conditions under which these social effects FRIENDSHIP NETWORK IN AN AMERICAN University. Working closely with Bramoullé can be identified. Having proved an invaluable HIGH SCHOOL

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 91 INTELLIGENCE this control, however, remains a key objective for Bramoullé due to its strong bearing on the THE ECONOMETRICS reliability of estimations, an issue that could benefit from greater understanding of the OF SOCIAL NETWORKS mechanisms of network formation. Homophily OBJECTIVES may be better controlled by accounting for, and contrasting, the relationships that are • To understand the determinants and the formed through a network, as these tend impacts of social networks to be less homophilous. For example, social relationships are diversified when people meet • To develop new statistical methods, friends through common friends. Bramoullé exploiting structural features of the STRONG TIES AMONG BOYS hopes to control homophily by exploiting the networks, to help break down social negative impact of decreased homophily that correlations into their four components: Interestingly, Bramoullé’s calculations for diversity creates. Another avenue lies in the homophily, common shocks, contextual identifying peer effects in standard models fact that friendship nominations are often effects and social influence suggest that this can be done without one way affairs. “Contrasting correlations for accounting for intransitivity. Although arrived reciprocated and non-reciprocated friendships KEY COLLABORATORS at via a different route, these findings agree should also help to control for homophily,” Dr Vincent Boucher, Assistant Professor; with the analysis proposed by Professor explains Bramoullé. Dr Bernard Fortin, Professor of Economics, Lung-Fei Lee, of Ohio State University, which Laval University. considers interactions within groups of With better controls leading to more accurate different sizes. Within these groups, agents estimates, the impact will no doubt be keenly Dr Habiba Djebbari, Associate Professor of interact with every member of the group but felt by statisticians and economists, but Economics at Aix-Marseille University. no one else. The mechanical effects that occur already Bramoullé’s work with Djebbari and as a result of different group sizes can then be Fortin has hinted at the practical implications FUNDING exploited as a means of identifying peer effects. of this research. In a study using classical Social Sciences and Humanities Research Having received attention already, researchers administrative data from the Ministry of Council of Canada – grant no. 410-2010- using these methods to grasp the impact of Education in Québec, the methodologies 0492 social networks will need to be careful in their developed by Bramoullé have pointed to data collection; in addition to seeking reliable evidence of social influence in academic CONTACT information on the links between agents success. Looking at individual scores in tests in within a group, these methods highlight the maths, history, science and French, endogenous Dr Yann Bramoullé importance in establishing the absence of peer effects were only found in the maths CNRS Research Fellow relations as well. results. Using these findings, a strong argument Aix-Marseille School of Economics could be made for improving the quality of mathematics lessons as any performance GREQAM, Centre de la Vieille Charité CONTROLLING THE EQUATION 2 rue de la Charité increase is likely to be shared among class 13236 Marseille Cedex 02 Accurately quantifying social influence, networks. Currently halfway toward achieving France common shocks, contextual effects and its primary objectives, implications such as homophily using current strategies rests on these will only become stronger as the project T +336 73 13 82 30 the assumption that homophily has been continues to advance the econometrics of E [email protected] properly controlled within a model. Refining social networks.

YANN BRAMOULLÉ graduated from École Polytechnique in France in 1995 and obtained his PhD from the University of Maryland, The four causes behind social correlations College Park in 2002. He was an economics professor at Laval University in Québec until 2012 and is now a French National Center Homophily – the Social influence for Scientific Research (CNRS) Research formation of social (or endogenous Fellow at Aix-Marseille University. He was relationships as a social effect) – nominated for the prize for the best French result of similarities the impact of a young economist in 2013. between social neighbour’s individuals behaviour

Common shocks – the unobserved Contextual driving forces of effects – the behaviours that are impact of a social shared by individuals neighbour’s within a social characteristics network

92 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION act SCASSA DR TERESA A balancing

Dr Teresa Scassa has long been interested in copyright law but has recently focused her research efforts on trademark law. Here she discusses her work in this field, elucidating the delicate negotiation between trademark rights and freedom of expression a trademark to allow registration of this type between trademark owners and those who of subject matter, which will have significant seek to use their marks. These disputes implications for different forms of expression. rarely go to court as ordinary individuals cannot afford to litigate and, as a result, What are some of the shortcomings of it can be quite challenging to identify and existing trademark laws and how has that document these instances. Shedding light impacted businesses? on the use of trademark law to silence expression is an important dimension of Trademark owners have long sought this research. enhanced protection for their marks (particularly for famous marks) to protect What implications might this study have them against a range of perceived parasitic on policy and case law? or damaging uses. In some countries, for example the US, such protection has In general, more attention needs to be paid been provided, but in Canada the ambit of to the function and role of trademarks, protection is considered less comprehensive. and to constitutionally protected freedom Thus, Canada’s law has some clear of expression. I hope that my work will Could you discuss your professional shortcomings for famous brand owners, but provide important insights for lawyers and background and what led to your interest in these may actually provide an important judges grappling with these issues, and that trademark law? communicative space for others. it may also guide Parliament as it moves slowly towards modernisation and reform Early in my career I started teaching intellectual There is a concern that greater protection of of the Trade-marks Act, 1985. Beyond this, property (IP) law and, like so many others trademarks will impede freedom of expression. I hope to write a book that can engage a who enter this field, my initial interest was in What arguments support this opinion? much broader audience. People should be copyright law. It was at a time when the World concerned about the impact of excessive Wide Web was in its infancy, and there was no The more robust the protection for IP rights, trademark protection and the over-zealous end of interesting copyright law questions being the more limited the opportunities for use of enforcement of rights on their ability to raised by the digital and online environment. that IP by others for expressive purposes. To interact creatively, personally and critically These issues seemed far more engaging than a large extent trademark law has carved out with trademarks. trademark questions, which tended to be treated considerable room for expressive activity in as more routine, practice-orientated matters. the past. By focusing on protection against Could you discuss your plans for this In the Canadian legal academia, trademark law trademark misuse in commercial contexts, book and its potential contribution to has been a poor cousin to copyright law. As my the law has left a much broader ambit for existing knowledge on trademark law? experience grew with IP law, I began to turn my non-commercial expressive activity. But we attention to trademark law. are increasingly seeing that the line between I hope that my research will reach an commercial and non-commercial is not always audience of lawyers, judges, policy makers How is the current definition of ‘trademark’ clear. And, of course, the greater the protection and legal academics because I believe I evolving and does this change pose any available for trademarks, the narrower the am engaging with issues of legal and policy potential implications? scope for expressive activity more broadly. importance. There is relatively little written Any time there is a grey area as to how far a that directly addresses Canadian law and In the last decade or so we have seen an trademark owner’s rights will reach, there is that places it in a broader international expansion of the concept of what constitutes room to take or to threaten legal action. context. As our culture becomes a trademark – certainly at the global level. increasingly commercial and corporatised, Although trademarks were once primarily How far along is your project on the right the ability to interact critically with visual in nature, some countries have begun to freedom of expression in trademark law brands is essential. People need to to recognise and register sounds, odours and what have been your initial findings? understand where the boundaries lie for and even holograms as trademarks. There their expressive activities and be able to is a bill currently before the Canadian The project is advancing well. I have been hold governments to account for unduly Parliament that will expand the definition of collecting interesting instances of conflicts limiting these activities. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 93 DR TERESA SCASSA

Talking trademarks in the 21st Century

Intellectual property is becoming an increasingly important issue as the globe moves towards an information- dependent economy. Trademark is an underexplored area of intellectual property law. However research is underway at the University of Ottawa, Canada, to understand its significance and impact in this changing world

THE CONCEPT OF intellectual property The majority of academic work on IP law has unaffordable legal action, even in cases where (IP) has always revolved around a fine been related to copyright, leaving trademark no infringement has occurred. This means that balancing act. When IP laws are written, it law neglected in comparison. Dr Teresa the trademark legal structure can be used to is vital to weigh the strengths of innovation Scassa, a professor at the University of silence valuable expression, including criticism and economic activities against cultural Ottawa, originally studied copyright law but and satire. development to ensure a net positive, as well moved into trademark law as her experience as create exemptions for use in parody and in the field grew. She has since been examining The granting of trademarks also gives states other social functions. Societal changes have several important questions within this field, power to inhibit the expression of trademark raised new questions; the internet has meant with a special focus on Canada. Author and owners themselves. In most countries, for that large swathes of IP can be copied with co-author respectively of Canadian Trademark example, ‘scandalous, obscene, or immoral’ minimal marginal cost. If IP laws were drafted Law and Electronic Commerce and Internet content may not be trademarked. There is much for the first time now, they would look very Law in Canada, Scassa is ideally placed to debate over which content fits this definition, different to those that have been inherited, undertake this work, which she will publish in a the role of the state in possible repression, extending as far back as the 17th Century when new book: Talking Trademarks: The Boundaries and whether the refusal to grant a trademark copying implied costly physical processes. of the Right to Freedom of Expression in is a freedom of expression issue. Scassa is Trademark Law. examining these areas by studying case law and instances that did not make the courts. THE BALANCING OF FREEDOMS EVOLUTION: THE NEW A key cultural concept in relation to CONSEQUENCES OF TRADEMARK LAW trademark law is the freedom of expression. This is curtailed by trademarks, which cordon The nature of trademarks is growing. What was off particular symbols or expressions from originally a purely visual medium is expanding the public domain, ostensibly to protect – the extent to which non-visual trademarks commercial usage. However, Scassa points should be protected is an open question. Cultural out: “The line between commercial and expansion is also taking place. Trademarks non-commercial is not always clear”. originally conveyed simple information about Furthermore, the costs associated with the product to the consumer, but this function the legal process mean that large firms are has become broader as the concept of the capable of threatening smaller parties with ‘brand’ has evolved. Many firms no longer

94 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE TALKING TRADEMARKS: THE BOUNDARIES OF THE RIGHT TO simply advertise the quality of their product to FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN increase sales; instead they seek to associate TRADEMARK LAW their product with certain lifestyles, so OBJECTIVES trademarks can also become an expression of identity on the part of the consumer. As such, • To explore the elusive boundary trademarks now convey complex messages, between trademark rights and the freedom which creates an interesting question as to of expression which aspects of this information should be protected by the state. • To produce a book that will be the first comprehensive study of the relationship Globalisation has also introduced novel between trademark law and the freedom dimensions to trademark law. International of expression in Canada and will contribute events such as the Olympic Games profit to a growing body of international work in by selling firms an exclusive association this area through sponsorship. This prevents other pretending one’s wares are associated with companies from using their trademarks in the firm who’s trademark is being used, it FUNDING areas associated with the event and even was found that its use would depreciate local businesses from referring to high-profile the value of the goodwill associated with Insight Grant from the Social Sciences and events in their community. This again raises the mark. This is an infringement under Humanities Research Council of Canada the issue of freedom of expression and Scassa Canadian law, and an injunction was granted. aims to address these problems in this new However, other cases are more complex – CONTACT research project. such as the 1984 Future Shop example, in Dr Teresa Scassa which the company unsuccessfully sought Canada Research Chair in Information an injunction to stop a competitor from THE CONFUSED using its trademark in material comparing TRADEMARK LAW OF CANADA Faculty of Law, Common Law Section prices between the two stores, on the basis University of Ottawa When IP law is first drafted it must take that the use of its trademarks in this way 57 Louis Pasteur into account the potential cultural loss of infringed its rights. “These cases, and others, Ottawa, Ontario restricting the usage of particular ideas or have led to considerable uncertainty around K1N 6N5, Canada symbols to certain individuals. In an attempt the application and limitations of the current to mitigate this loss, Canadian law allows legislation,” explains Scassa. Trademark cases T +1 613 562 5800 x 3872 some use of trademarked or copyrighted are likely to become even more complicated E [email protected] material by non-rights holders. This includes as many firms now use trademarked terms on competitors in some cases, particularly for use websites as metadata in order to show up on TERESA SCASSA began her academic career in comparative advertising, though the case search engine results for their competitors. at Dalhousie Law School (1992-2007), law around this is conflicted. For example, in The legality of this practice remains where she taught many courses, including the 1968 case involving Clairol International unresolved in Canada. Intellectual Property, Law and Technology, Corp, a competitor, Revlon, used Clairol’s Administrative Law, Public Law, Property marks in a table favourably comparing its Also of concern is the use of other’s Law and Professional Responsibility. She also product to Clairol’s. Whilst this was found not trademarks for non-commercial purposes. served as Associate Dean of the Law School to be a violation in the traditional sense of Trademarks are designed to convey a variety (2000-04), and as Associate Director (2001- of information about brand and lifestyle, 05) and Director (2005-07) of Dalhousie’s which makes their appropriation an excellent Law and Technology Institute. tool for satire or parody. Troubling cases of

this type include trade unions being taken In July 2007 Scassa joined the Faculty of Law, to court for using the employer’s trademarks Common Law Section of the University of The nature of trademarks in organisational materials, and iconic Ottawa and the same year was awarded the marks being reserved by governmental Canada Research Chair in Information Law. is growing, what was organisations. Scassa is interested in pursuing She also served as Vice-Dean of Research the potential ramifications trademark law has from 2010 to 2012. Her recent research has originally a purely visual on art, the development of subcultures, and focused on intellectual property law, privacy the evolution of the internet, where users law, and law and technology. medium is expanding – the regularly appropriate trademarks for their own ends. Scassa is author of the book Canadian extent to which non-visual Trademark Law (LexisNexis 2010) and co- trademarks should be As we move into a time where more of our daily author of winner of the 2013 Walter Owen lives and economy will become based around Book Prize Electronic Commerce and Internet protected is an information and its transfer, IP becomes Law in Canada, (CCH Canadian Ltd. 2012). increasingly important. Scassa is examining a open question broad range of consequences of trademarks, filling a significant gap in Canadian academic literature. Her comparative approach will place Canada’s situation in a global context and give her research international impact.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 95 A game of give and take

Dr James C Cox is leading a project which evidences a new theory of human behaviour based on fairness and

DR JAMES C COX DR reciprocity by conducting paired common pool and public good experiments, and studying institutions and behaviour to evaluate social dilemmas and how they are affected by asymmetrical power

only characterise observed differences in play extractions by first between payoff-equivalent public good and movers from the common pool games as a ‘framing effect’ common pool make because popular theories of social preferences a second mover predict the games will be played identically. less altruistic. Our current research aims to further explain In this way, our why the 2008 reciprocity theory predicted the theory predicts that observed difference in play. second movers will exploit asymmetric Why are you focusing on the three power more in the environments: public good, private good and common pool game common pool resources? than they will in the public good game. The focus on private goods helps us to develop a broad range of applications from With whom are our reciprocity theory; these applications you collaborating extend well beyond public good and in your work? common pool social dilemmas. However, these social dilemmas involve rich patterns of I wish to Could you describe the thinking behind behaviour that pose particularly interesting acknowledge my your research? theoretical challenges. substantial debt to my valued We began with the observation, common Could you explain how using paired collaborator Professor Vjollca among economists, that voluntary provision common pool and public good games has Sadiraj for her contributions to of a public good and voluntary restraint in enabled you to progress with your studies? our many and varied research appropriation from a common pool involves topics. The theoretical model social dilemmas; the exclusive pursuit of The paired common pool and public good of reciprocity was developed one’s own material self-interest produces games are designed to be payoff-equivalent. through collaboration with Sadiraj socially inefficient outcomes. Beyond this, we This allows us to pose, in a precise way, the and Professor Daniel Friedman, wanted to pose two more pointed questions: question of whether free-riding on public a distinguished researcher and first, which social dilemma is quantitatively good contributions is quantitatively more or pleasant collaborator. The more significant; and second, how might less significant than over-extraction from the experiment on payoff-equivalent asymmetric power ameliorate or exacerbate common pool. public good and common the manifestation of social dilemmas? pool games was developed in You conduct experiments with pairs collaboration with Professors The first question has no general answer so we of payoff-equivalent provision and James M Walker and Elinor needed to refine it. We constructed payoff- appropriation games. What have you Ostrom. It was published in an equivalent public good and common pool discovered through these experiments? issue of the Southern Economic games in which leaving the same amount in Journal, in memoriam to Ostrom. the common pool as is contributed to the We have discovered that asymmetric power public good yields the same payoffs. The first makes over-extraction from a common pool a question then becomes: is under-provision more serious problem then under-provision of in the public good game quantitatively more a public good in payoff-equivalent games. Our or less significant than over-extraction in the theory of reciprocity predicts this difference payoff-equivalent common pool game? because the initial, endowed opportunity set in the common pool game is the most generous How are you exploiting previous possible outcome for the second mover with investigations? asymmetric power, whereas the endowed opportunity set in the public good game is We apply the theory of reciprocity espoused in the least generous for the second mover. Any the Cox, Sadiraj and Friedman (2008) article contributions by first movers to the public good in Econometrica. Previous research could make the second mover more altruistic. Any

96 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION DR JAMES C COX

Modelling the reciprocal human

New research into common pool and public good games at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University makes a convincing case for a fresh economic interpretation of human behaviour

THE FINITE NATURE of the Earth’s resources involves deriving the implications of actions by and the utilitarian ideal of maximising prosperity homo economicus – an agent whose sole concern for the greatest number stand at odds with is his own material payoff and who is indifferent the modern mantra of perpetual growth and to the material payoffs of others.” the individual pursuit of material self-interest – endeavours of the relative few which have a Unlike homo economicus, homo reciprocans is negative and disproportionately large impact concerned with fairness and will repay a favour upon everyone else, resulting in inefficient with a favour, or a hurt with a hurt, even though aggregate outcomes and social dilemmas. These both actions are materially costly. Reciprocans selfish behaviours dovetail with the concept is willing to compromise in the interests of of homo economicus, a view of human beings balance, or take a ‘hit’ if it means that justice popularised in the 19th Century by John Stuart will be better served. A familiar example is that Mill that envisions us as narrow, self-interested of a shopkeeper and a potential customer who entities whose actions are driven primarily by engage in haggling over the price of a product. the desire to maximise personal profit and It is in the shopkeeper’s interest to complete utility. Going on to inform the thinking of the sale, but should the customer make an offer a plethora of economists, the idea came to which is too low, the offence might cause the dominate mainstream economics in the 20th shopkeeper to decline the transaction – repaying Century, quietly sanctioning the explosion of a hurt with a hurt – even if it means losing the materialism, the rise of the consumer society sale, because the shopkeeper believes this is and the worst excesses of modern capitalism. what the customer deserves, and justice is more At the start of the 21st Century, it is clear that important than commerce. By contrast, homo health, social and economic inequality gaps are economicus is always selfish, avoiding altruism widening locally and globally, and the potential and reciprocity because they are materially for net losses and societal damage arising costly. Yet our life experience and experimental from the continuing actions of material self- observations of behaviour demonstrate that interest is being ever-amplified. Perhaps part some people do not always fit this model, instead of the solution lies in a new economic model of exhibiting traits ranging from the altruistic to the human behaviour – one which is able to account spiteful, or the positively or negatively reciprocal; for the human desire for fairness and capacity they behave like homo reciprocans. for reciprocity, social responsibility and the fostering of common goods. Is the dominance POWER ASYMMETRIES of homo economicus finally coming to an end? Enter homo reciprocans. When collective interests and private interests are at odds with one another, social dilemmas manifest. These are conflicts that characterise CONCERNED ABOUT FAIRNESS environments where individuals’ pursuit of their Dr James C Cox is the Noah Langdale Jr Chair own material self-interest produces inefficient in Economics and founding Director of the outcomes for the majority. These outcomes Experimental Economics Center at Georgia might include the under-provision of public State University’s Andrew Young School of goods or the over-appropriation of common Policy Studies. With expertise in experimental pool resources. In extreme cases, they can lead economics and applied microeconomic to the destruction of the common pool, resulting theory, his project – Asymmetric Power in in a tragedy of the commons. Paired Common Pool and Public Good Games: Experiments, Institutions and Behavior – is Understanding that the pursuit of material investigating the role of various aspects of self-interest can create or exacerbate social human behaviour with economic consequences, dilemmas, Cox and his colleagues are including the roles played by altruism and developing mathematical models of human reciprocity. “Homo reciprocans is a much behaviour and testing their implications in more interesting species of agent then the controlled experiments involving human more commonly-analysed homo economicus,” subjects. These subjects make decisions with outlines Cox. “A great deal of economic analysis economic consequences that are made salient

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 97 INTELLIGENCE with monetary payoffs. These vary with the differences highlighted by these experiments subjects’ decisions in ways that track the are predicted by the theory of reciprocity, but ASYMMETRIC POWER IN PAIRED implications of their behavioural choices across not by social preferences models or the homo COMMON POOL AND PUBLIC various contexts, including private goods, economicus model. GOOD GAMES: EXPERIMENTS, public goods or common pools. In the public INSTITUTIONS, AND BEHAVIOR goods games, individuals have to decide how DESIGNING-IN TRANSPARENCY OBJECTIVES much to contribute to the public good, while in the common pool resource games participants Cox is involved in several ongoing collaborative To find answers to the following questions: have to decide how much to withdraw from the research programmes that will continue to be Is failure of cooperation more costly pool. In both games, non-cooperative actions his focus in the coming years. “My work includes with voluntary provision of public goods by the decision makers adversely affect the research on reciprocity and altruism, decisions or voluntary restraint in appropriations group’s resources. under risk, experimental methods, Dutch from common pools? Do agents with auctions and centipede games, experiments asymmetric power promote or hinder Cox’s research adds an interesting new dimension on status quo effects in fairness games, and efficiency-promoting cooperation? Is to a familiar field. While there exists a significant decision making in healthcare delivery – reciprocity more or less effective in amount of field and lab research on the efficacy including hospital discharge decisions and organ promoting cooperation with public goods of alternative political-economic institutions transplantation decisions,” he reveals. or common pools? in counteracting individuals’ tendencies to KEY COLLABORATORS under-provide public goods and over-exploit One investigation on reciprocity and altruism common pool resources, his project focuses involves collaborative experiments in villages Professor Vjollca Sadiraj, Georgia State on the implications of power asymmetries in in West Bengal, India. Along with graduate University these settings. “In our experimental treatment student Urmimala Sen and key collaborator Professor Elinor Ostrom (deceased), with symmetric power, we observe insignificant Professor Vjollca Sadiraj, Cox is investigating Indiana University differences between the payoff-equivalent the central question of how hereditary caste public good and common pool games,” explains affects or exacerbates social dilemmas. Another Professor James M Walker, Indiana Cox. “This is predicted both by social preferences of Cox’s graduate students, Melissa Trussell, University models and our theory of reciprocity.” is conducting experiments with former child soldiers in Liberia and attempting to ascertain Professor Daniel Friedman, University of However, in their experiments on asymmetric the lasting effects of child soldiering on an California at Santa Cruz power, Cox and his team observe significant individual’s ability to trust and reciprocate. FUNDING differences between the payoff-equivalent public good and common pool games. These The work of Cox and his colleagues is Two collaborative grants from the experiments comprise pairs of sequential move providing vital insights into how effective National Science Foundation to the games in which second movers with asymmetric community collective action depends on Experimental Economics Center at Georgia power – so-called ‘bosses and kings’ – make designing transparency into institutions, State University and the Workshop in decisions after first movers, with the games while also exerting appropriate control over Political Theory and Policy Analysis at systematically varying the opportunities the the exploitative powers of those agents with Indiana University. second movers have to exploit the cooperative administrative responsibility. Perhaps even more CONTACT choices of the first. In so doing, these experiments importantly, it is yielding new insights into how attempt to answer the central questions of decision makers’ behavioural norms are linked to Dr James C Cox whether the power invested in these bosses and the structure of social dilemmas and the nature Noah Langdale Jr Chair in Economics kings leads to exploitation and to what extent of the interaction between these behaviours Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar this power affects the willingness of the first and the institutions on which we rely to nurture Director, Experimental Economics Center movers to behave cooperatively. Crucially, the cooperation and the common good. (ExCEN) Georgia State University 14 Marietta Street NW Room 456 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 USA T +1 404 413 0200 F +1 404 413 0195 E [email protected]

JAMES C COX was president of the Economic Science Association (1997-99) The differences highlighted by these and of the Southern Economic Association (2010-11). His publications are in many experiments are predicted by the areas of economics. Current topics theory of reciprocity, but not by include: trust, reciprocity and altruism; public goods and common-pool resources; existing social preferences models decisions under risk; and decision making in healthcare.

98 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS The Royal Society of Canada

The Society has worked for more than a century to promote learning and research in the arts, humanities and the natural and social sciences. President Dr Graham Bell discusses the exciting changes that are afoot for the Society, as well as its collaborative activities and plans for the future

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 99 ANALYSIS

Why was the Royal Society of Canada: The Academies of Arts, The Society is currently undergoing a transitional period. What are some Humanities and Sciences of Canada originally formed? How is the of the most important changes set to take place in the coming years? organisation structured? We are currently in the process of establishing a College of New Scholars, The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) was established in 1882 as the senior Artists and Scientists within the Society, whose members will consist of Canadian collegium of distinguished scholars, artists and scientists. As Canada’s young people in the most active and productive phases of their professional National Academy, the Society’s primary objective is to promote learning and lives. The College will reflect the changing balance of the disciplines and the research in the arts, humanities and the natural and social sciences. relationships between them, as well as the new ideas, theories, technologies and discoveries that crowd us each year. It will also reflect the new The RSC occupies the same public position in Canada as the two institutions on demography of today’s universities and societies. which it was originally modelled: the Royal Society of London and the Institut de France. Similarly, it stands at the head of the arts and professions of the The College will be a large enterprise – comprising 500-600 members when it country and is self-elected through the open and rigorous scrutiny of peers. is fully populated – and will be big enough to extend greatly the activities of the It is also similar in that none of its members are appointed, and so it stands RSC and to make a substantial contribution to public life in Canada. separate from government or other institutions. The RSC’s breadth, authority and independence enable it to perform a unique role in Canadian public life. By what means are the Expert Panels (EPs) fulfilling the Society’s goals?

The Society is directed by its Council, the Council’s Executive Committee, and The EPs report on matters of current concern. For more than 130 years, the the Executive Officers, and is assisted by several non-executive officers, as well RSC has brought together scholars and researchers from diverse disciplines as several standing and ad hoc committees. to conduct expert, multidisciplinary investigations on matters of public importance. During the 1980s, the RSC began formalising this endeavour by The Society consists of three Academies, which collectively represent all launching EPs to operate on the model pioneered by the US National Academy fields of intellectual endeavour: the Academy of the Arts and Humanities; the of Sciences. These EPs have provided insight, advice and recommendations to Academy of Social Sciences; and the Academy of Science. The affairs of the Canadian governments, industry and NGOs on public policy matters ranging Academies and their divisions are managed by their council and executive from the health effects of asbestos to early childhood education. The EPs officers and, again, their standing and ad hoc committees. ensure there is independent, comprehensive and evidenced-based input into the public policy development process in Canada. Since the RSC became a corporation through a Special Act of Parliament in 1883, By-laws have governed the ways in which the Society’s activities Recent EP reports concern: Environmental and Health Impacts of Canada’s and accountability are managed and maintained. Recently, a task force was Oil Sands Industry; End-of-Life Decision Making; Sustaining Canada’s Marine assembled to review the By-laws with the aim of ensuring their compliance Biodiversity; Early Childhood Development; Review of Safety Code 6: Potential with new legislation, and simplifying them by removing a good deal of Health Risks of Radiofrequency Fields from Wireless Telecommunications unnecessary procedural detail. This information was then transferred to the Devices; and the Status and Future of Canada’s Libraries and Archives. The EP operations manual. programme is central to the RSC’s operation. Future plans include an increase in the number of panels and collaboration with national academies from other countries to produce joint reports.

What are your thoughts on the way STEM education is promoted, both in Canada and globally?

Science education is the key to national prosperity. The RSC supports outreach programmes for school children and regularly invites students of all ages to its meetings. A concrete example of our commitment is our involvement in the Science Education programme of the Inter-American Network of Academies of Science, which addresses this theme in all the countries in the Western Hemisphere. The general objective of this programme is to improve the level and relevance of science education in the hemisphere through active Academy of Science participation of science academies and the most prominent scientists in the US, working together with teachers and educational authorities.

The New Fellow Presentations at the RSC’s Annual I share the public concern that standards of science education in Canada may General Meeting provide an opportunity to showcase not be keeping pace with other countries, and the RSC is seeking effective research programmes within the Academy of Science’s ways to investigate and ameliorate this situation. Our concern has been four divisions. expressed through the creation of The McNeil Medal for the Public Awareness of Science, established through the generosity of McNeil Consumer In 2013, the following four presentations were recognised Healthcare. It is intended to highlight the important role science plays within for their outstanding contribution at the Academy: our society and to encourage the communication of science to students and the public. Applied Science and Engineering, Brahim Benmokrane: Building Durable Civil Infrastructure using Fibre- To what extent does the Society’s work aim to serve minorities or Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composite underrepresented communities in Canada?

Earth, Ocean and Atmosphere Science, Anne de Vernal: The RSC seeks to engage all communities in its activities and Fellowship. The sedimentary archives of climate changes in arctic To this end, the RSC identified ‘diversifying and enhancing the Fellowship’ and subarctic environments as a one of five strategic directions in our plan, ‘Strategy for Renewal and Growth 2012-2017’. To implement this strategic direction, the mandate of Life Science, Michael Doebeli: Adaptive Diversification the Standing Committee on Equity and Diversity has been strengthened. The Committee is responsible for advising the Society’s Council on matters related Mathematics and Physical Science, Patricia Mooney: to equity and diversity. Materials and Nanostructures for New Semiconductor Technologies. The nomination and selection procedures of the RSC are monitored by this Committee, which makes an annual report to the Council, including 100 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS

recommendations to enhance the diversity of the Fellowship. As an example, the number of Alice Wilson Awards – which recognise the most outstanding women postdoctoral researchers in Canada – has been increased; now our country’s top three emerging scholars are acknowledged each year. The RSC and the

What will be the next breakthroughs to come from the social and natural G8 Summit sciences taking place in the next decade? How do you foresee the Society’s involvement with these advancements? The RSC is the Canadian representative for the G8 National Academies, which have traditionally met We must maintain the capacity to take advantage of breakthroughs when they in advance of the G8 political summit to prepare occur. They can seldom be foreseen in any detail; instead, we must have the statements on the themes of the meeting. These power and flexibility to meet them when they arise. This can be done in part statements are then transmitted to heads of state. by horizon-scanning groups, in collaboration with other national academies. The RSC hosted this meeting in 2011. In 2013, These are highly interdisciplinary initiatives that can only be mounted the UK Royal Society brought together Academy effectively by very broad-based institutions. The RSC, with its three Academies presidents to strengthen the link between scientists and vast range of expertise amongst its Fellowship, is unique in its capability to and policy makers, to increase the transparency convene this kind of activity in Canada. of the Academies activities and to minimise the possibility of misunderstanding. The meeting resulted in a statement, signed by all Ministers and Academy Presidents, covering policy on four major themes: global challenges, global research www.rsc-src.ca infrastructure, open data and open access. The RSC helped to prepare this statement and is currently reviewing its implementation prior to a follow up meeting in 2014.

All levels Canada in the RSC Nominating Committees, Standing Committees, Task Forces, and Expert Panels; undertaking covered a range of activities in Atlantic Canada in support of strategic directions outlined in RSC ‘Strategy for Renewal and Growth 2012-2017’; and assisting with the stewardship and promotion of IM in the region. LOCAL LEVEL NATIONAL LEVEL The Institutional Member (IM) Programme was officially launched in 2004. No other national academy has such As Canada’s National Academy, the RSC exists to promote a programme. The goal was to provide a mechanism Canadian research and scholarly accomplishment in by which, on one hand, the Society could develop its both of Canada’s official languages, to mentor young programmes in conjunction with universities and, on the scholars and artists, to recognise academic and artistic other hand, universities could have formal and direct excellence and to advise governments, NGOs and the input into the strategic orientation and governance of Canadian population on matters of public interest. The the Society. In addition, this close relationship would RSC is a unique instrument for nation building in a diverse, facilitate the nomination of new Fellows from all Canadian advanced modern society. universities, and provide a home for the Society to sponsor scholarly activities at institutions of all sizes in all provinces INTERNATIONAL LEVEL across Canada, offering a substantive set of benefits to member institutions. Since 2004, the IM programme has The RSC represents Canada at international academic continued to grow in number and expand in scope. events and on international academic bodies. This leads Today, 52 universities and the National Research Council to important international collaborations. The Society Canada (NRC) are IMs of the Society. represents Canada in the Inter-American Network of Academies of Science, an organisation which brings together all the national academies of the Western REGIONAL LEVEL Hemisphere. Amongst other activities, it operates working The RSC is encouraging the formation of regional groups on four major themes: water, energy, women chapters. The first to be constituted was the Atlantic in science and science education. The RSC participates chapter, the RSC Atlantic, which is a step towards actively in all these groups and contributes to preparing engaging more directly and dynamically with the RSC their reports, which are addressed to governments Fellows, New Scholars, IMs, stakeholders (eg. high school throughout the hemisphere. students), community institutions (eg. local libraries, hospitals) and potential private sector supporters in The RSC also represents Canada in all major international Atlantic Canada. The RSC Atlantic’s mandate includes: groupings of academies, including the Global Network promoting the RSC in Atlantic Canada; assisting in of Science Academies and the International Academies ensuring excellent nominations from the Atlantic region Council, which have a broad range of activities in which for the RSC’s Fellowship in the Academies, membership we participate. The RSC provides an important service in the RSC College of New Scholars and the RSC Awards; to Canadian society through its role in projecting and encouraging appropriate participation from Atlantic protecting the values of the Academies at all levels.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 101 Transatlantic policy dialogue

Dr Trygve Ugland, an expert in the field of international policy learning, explains his work examining the use of Canadian integration and immigration policies in a Scandinavian setting

Why have you chosen policy as your area of interests in the dynamics of public policy focus? What or who has inspired you? change and continuity. On a more personal level, the fact that I am a European living in I have been interested in issues related to the North America has reinforced my interest in field of comparative public policy since I was the transatlantic policy dialogue. a student. In particular, I am fascinated by the DR TRYGVE UGLAND DR TRYGVE processes of learning, mutual adaptation and Which immigration policies do you consider coevolution of public policies across borders. most successful and why? In past projects, I have conducted studies of the Europeanisation of public health policies, It is difficult to answer this question in the as well as the wider internationalisation of abstract, since the domestic context differs food safety policies. My current project deals to such a large extent between states. It with the issue of policy learning and transfer is clear that the situation in traditional between Canada and Scandinavia in the area of immigrant societies like Australia, Canada immigrant control and integration policies. and the US is different in comparison to countries that faced significant immigration Theoretically, my PhD supervisor Johan P Olsen for the first time after World War II, such as at the University of Oslo triggered my original the Scandinavian countries.

Meeting immigration with policy learning?

A researcher at Bishop’s University in Quebec, Canada, is conducting a study into comparative public policy, focusing on the influence of the Canadian integration and immigration policy model on the Scandinavian countries

THE THREE COUNTRIES that make up approach has also been facilitated by a strong three countries’ generous welfare policies, Scandinavia – Denmark, Norway and Sweden solidarity within Scandinavia, and widespread and concern for the future of the model which – have historically been considered models domestic agreement with governmental policy seemed so effective only a few short decades of policy for many other states. The general – which also contributes to the attractiveness of ago is now widespread. The problem has also impression is that these countries have this approach. been exacerbated by the failure of integration successfully managed to combine private programmes to bring immigrants into the capitalism and the quest for economic growth Excellent policy, however, is largely dependent Scandinavian workforces – an area in which on the one hand and state intervention and on context – and the Scandinavian countries’ these countries perform poorly, in comparison the promotion of social equity on the other. framework began to change following World with many others. Moreover, international observers have noted War II. In the 1950s in Sweden, and the 1960s that the objectives of economic competitiveness in Denmark and Norway, levels of immigration LEARNING FROM CANADA and social welfare in Scandinavia have seemed to – which had previously been very limited – reinforce each other, as the three countries tend began to rise; immigrant populations have Over the last 20 years, public debate in to dominate both the international indices of been steadily increasing ever since. This influx Denmark, Norway and Sweden focused competitiveness and happiness. Culturally, this of people has put growing pressure on the increasingly on immigration – and recently,

102 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION DR TRYGVE UGLAND

However, Canada is an interesting case, values’, the government has actively promoted Has your work been stymied by any as it has one of the largest foreign-born the Canadian model abroad. For instance, the roadblocks? populations in the world, and on an annual government has funded academic research, basis admits more immigrants relative to conferences and policy workshops that explore On the contrary, my research has been the size of its population than most other the international relevance of Canadian met with much curiosity and support both countries. At the same time, Canada has a policies. The international Metropolis Project in Canada and Scandinavia. The project strong international reputation as a country is perhaps the most well-known initiative is supported by a Social Sciences and that has successfully managed to benefit through which the Canadian Government Humanities Research Council of Canada from increased ethno-cultural diversity – a provides financial incentives and logistical (SSHRC) Insight Development Grant. Also, reputation buttressed by comparative studies support for researchers and policy makers I was granted access to key informants in on immigrant integration. Further, Canada has in other countries who are interested in each of the three Scandinavian countries also managed to reconcile important welfare examining the Canadian model. who were more than willing to discuss the state objectives and principles with increased relevance of the Canadian model. The fact immigration and diversity. However, despite the massive efforts to that this is the first systematic study of the promote the Canadian Model internationally, international relevance of the Canadian Are other countries looking at international very little systematic attention has been immigration and integration policy model policy and practice to reform models of devoted to investigating how other countries may well have contributed to this support. immigration and integration? Is it hard to have used this model to address the challenges adapt this legislation? posed by increased immigration and ethnic At what stage are you at in your diversity, or whether they have done so at all. investigations? Do you have any preliminary Countries are looking to each other, and While some policy advocates seem to promote results to report? comparative immigration policy research is a the Canadian model to foreign audiences growing field. without even questioning its exportability I have conducted research trips and interviewed or international relevance, others regard the politicians, civil servants, academics and policy The Canadian case is, from this point of view, Canadian model as a product of unique and experts in Denmark, Norway and Sweden in particularly interesting because in order to favorable domestic circumstances – rendering 2012 and 2013. Some of my preliminary results promote a greater international understanding it ill-suited for other countries lacking these were presented in a paper at an international and appreciation of Canada and ‘Canadian underlying conditions. conference in Amsterdam in 2013.

this issue has also become a key subject Ugland of Bishop’s University’s Department of changes, as he explains: “The challenges for populist right-wing political parties Politics and International Studies is assessing posed by increasing immigration and ethno- throughout Scandinavia. Tensions have even and comparing the impacts of Canadian cultural diversity are a major concern for become high enough, in some cases, to policy on the decisions of Denmark, Norway governments across the world”. lead to violent outbursts. Since 2000, the and Sweden between 2000 and 2013. The Scandinavian governments have been engaged work has been met with strong support from In order to achieve a high degree of relevance in a process of reform and reassessment all the countries involved and has already to all potential stakeholders, the project regarding immigration and integration produced a number of interesting findings. addresses several key questions about policies – and this process has led them to Canada-Scandinavia policy transfer in look overseas in search of policy models that addition to its central assessment of impacts. PRESSING QUESTIONS might provide a suitable template for their To understand this more fully, Ugland is own development. Specifically, they have The project, financed by the Social Sciences looking to identify the main challenges faced, looked to Canada: a country with a strong and and Humanities Research Council of Canada the extent to which Scandinavian leaders continuing tradition of immigration as well as through an Insight Development Grant, were involved in learning about the Canadian a functional welfare system, which seems to aims to be of importance to both Canada model, whether this process was fragmentary have benefited immensely from its ethno- and Scandinavia. One of the main goals of or coordinated, and which institutions, cultural diversity. Canada’s foreign policy is to promote a greater processes and actors were helpful to the international understanding and appreciation Scandinavian reformers. The researcher will A researcher at Bishop’s University in of Canadian values, and the Learning from also determine which aspects of Canadian Canada has taken a particular interest in Canada project is expected to be a useful policies were adopted by Scandinavian this interaction, endeavouring to study tool in assessing the extent to which this goal leaders, if efforts were made to learn from exactly how Canadian policy has influenced is being achieved. Ugland also expects the the failures as well as the successes of the Scandinavian reform in the project Reforming research to not only be of relevance to Canada Canadian model and whether the model has Scandinavian Immigration Policies: Learning and the Scandinavian countries in question, played different roles in the reform process in from Canada. Associate Professor Dr Trygve but also to any undergoing similar policy Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 103 INTELLIGENCE AN AMBITIOUS ENDEAVOUR FIRST FINDINGS REFORMING SCANDINAVIAN Conducting research into policy making The project is ongoing, but it has already produced IMMIGRATION POLICIES: LEARNING is a significant undertaking, but Ugland a number of preliminary insights into the impact FROM CANADA? is facilitated by the comparatively open of Canadian immigration and integration policy OBJECTIVES approach taken by Scandinavian countries. on Scandinavia. The early results demonstrate The very nature of policy reform, involving that, although situations in Denmark, Norway To provide a systematic and theoretically- prolonged consultation and information and Sweden differ slightly, their reforms have orientated analysis of the role of the Canadian gathering, means the researchers have been influenced by Canada – equally, however, the immigration and integration policy model in the access to a wealth of governmental and studies show that Canada’s model has not been recent and ongoing reform process in Denmark, parliamentary reports. This paper trail also copied or emulated to a great extent. Rather, the indicates key policy makers involved in the Canadian model served to suggest new possibilities Norway and Sweden. decision-making process, and altogether this for decision makers in Scandinavia, driving them FUNDING means that there is a strong basis of evidence to rediscover labour immigration in the 2000s for the project in hand. and to serve as a source of inspiration for elected Social Sciences and Humanities Research officials, who recognised it as a workable solution Council of Canada – grant no. 430-2012-0707 The day-to-day work of Ugland and his to the contemporary political context. This is a students is therefore consumed in the very positive result in terms of the wider utility of CONTACT analysis of a variety of sources: public the Canadian model, because it demonstrates that Dr Trygve Ugland documents (including proposals submitted these policies may have a use beyond a specific Associate Professor, Department of Politics and by the government to the Scandinavian favourable political and historical context. parliaments, documents from parliamentary International Studies debates), reports by ad hoc expert Policy innovation and learning across state Bishop’s University commissions, and letters from consulted borders are vital issues of the 21st Century; 2600 College Street agencies. Ugland also collected and studied similarly, immigration and integration are Sherbrooke relevant media debates from the three increasingly key topics in this globalised era. The Quebec J1M 1Z7 countries, and during 2012-13 conducted work of Ugland and his students carries a strong a series of semi-structured interviews with potential to improve how such issues are tackled, Canada politicians, civil servants and policy experts. as well as holding value for policy makers the T +1 819 822 9600 x 2398 Finally, existing studies of immigration and world over. If Ugland’s eventual discoveries are as E [email protected] integration policy reform also provided a exciting as the preliminary results suggest, then valuable insight into the machinations of the they may yet have a significant impact on the Scandinavian system. future of Scandinavia and beyond. TRYGVE UGLAND is educated at the University of Oslo and Queen’s University of Belfast (PhD University of Oslo, 2002). He is currently Associate Professor at the Department of Politics and International Studies, Bishop’s The project is ongoing, but it has already produced a number of University and Research Associate at the European Union Center of Excellence, Université preliminary insights into the impact of Canadian immigration and de Montréal/McGill University. integration policy on Scandinavia His research and teaching interests lie in the fields of Comparative Politics and Comparative Public Policy, with a focus on European and Scandinavian Politics. He has also taken an increasing interest in transatlantic relations. His work has appeared, for example, in the Journal of Common Market Studies, Journal of Public Policy, Scandinavian Political Studies and the International Journal of Canadian Studies.

Ugland’s latest book tells the story of how Jean Monnet’s encounters with Canada and Canadians between 1907 and 1914 played a vital role, both as inspiration and as enduring reference point, in his project of uniting Europe (Jean Monnet and Canada: Early Travels and the Idea of European Unity, University of Toronto Press, 2011).

104 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION PROFESSOR CECILIA MORGANPROFESSOR CECILIA

Metropolitan missions

Professor Cecilia Morgan, a social and cultural historian, discusses her latest research which argues that the travels of indigenous Canadian people abroad in the 19th Century reflect both the continuity of heritage and resistance to the changes brought about by the expansion of the British Empire

who appeared before Queen Victoria to protest certainly typifies that model, as he attempted the colonial government’s attempt to move to bring Christianity and some European his people from their homes to a more remote norms to the Mississauga. location in the colony of Upper Canada. In 1860, Catherine Sutton/Nahnebahwequa, who was To what extent did the cultures of Peter Jones’ niece, also appeared before Queen indigenous people change over time? Victoria to protest the colonial Government’s confiscation of her land. Individuals such as Those who lived in Upper Canada/Ontario saw Jones, who had converted to Methodism, also a number of significant changes over the 19th travelled to Britain on fundraising tours for Century: increasing numbers of settlers put colonial missions. Indigenous people who had more pressure on indigenous communities’ taken up performance – staging traditional lands and traditional hunting territories; dances, songs and delivering lectures about more people were exposed to Christianity; their communities’ histories – travelled overseas the colonial and then Dominion governments to ‘educate’ British and European audiences. attempted to exercise more control over People also travelled for academia: a number of indigenous peoples’ lives. People from the Six mixed-race children of the fur trade were sent to Nations and the Mississauga felt those changes attend school in England and Scotland by their most acutely. Yet I think the other part of the British fathers. I think, too, that many of these story – that of indigenous peoples’ persistence Could you discuss what led to your research people were curious about other places. in retaining their cultural beliefs and practices, into the travels of indigenous people maintaining family and kinship ties, negotiating between 1775 and 1920? How did these people shape the communities and, at times, resisting settler and imperial they helped to create? power, and refusing to be marginalised – is While scholars had looked at indigenous remarkable. I see overseas travel as forming an peoples’ movements overseas for the early In the case of the fur trade children, some important part of that persistence, negotiation modern period (1500 to 1800), particularly for contributed to the creation of middle-class and refusal. diplomatic reasons, their research usually ends society in England and Scotland; in one with the founding of the US. I wanted to see the family, a daughter married a bank president in What are the broader implications of extent to which indigenous people continued Nairn, while a son went on to found the local your research, particularly with respect to to travel in the 19th and early 20th centuries, agricultural society. Others were part of even indigenous people? as their own geographic mobility was limited larger-scale migrations. There were also some by the formation of new settler societies in that returned to Canada; Matilda Davis, who The broader implications concern indigenous British North America and then the Dominion was taken to London in the early 1820s when peoples’ ability to remain mobile and have a of Canada. very young, used her education and training as public presence in the context of 19th Century a governess to set up a very successful school in imperial expansion. I think another fundamental What motivated indigenous people to travel? Red River (present-day Winnipeg). factor to the study of history, is the ways in which they coped with changes that, at one There were a range of motivations, but it’s For other travellers, the results are mixed since level, they didn’t set in motion or couldn’t possible to single out some central issues. some led lives marked by constant movement. control. Ultimately, what I see are people who An important factor was disputes over land, In these cases, the communities they helped were creative and resourceful in dealing with territory and space and the question of to create were ones of transatlantic larger political and social forces. Meanwhile, the indigenous sovereignty or control. This primarily movement, rather than ‘settled’ places. Others, other part of this story involves the uprooting accounted for John Norton’s travel in 1804 and though, clearly brought their experiences to of children, whose letters home are some of the for the 1837 trip of Peter Jones/Kahkewaqonaby, bear on their home communities. Peter Jones most poignant I have read in my career. WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 105 PROFESSOR CECILIA MORGAN Engagements with empire Research at the University of Toronto into patterns of international travel undertaken by indigenous Canadians against the backdrop of expanding colonial incursion reveals multiple layers of interlinked stories

EXTENDED EUROPEAN CONTACT in the 17th researched the incidence of travel abroad by the Crown; they then often formed relationships and 18th centuries, largely as a result of the fur indigenous Canadians in the 19th Century and and networks which resulted in further travel. trade, and a wave of immigration in the era of early 20th Century to establish whether it was 19th Century imperialism not only encroached a widespread phenomenon or if such ventures In the 19th Century, humanitarian concerns upon the territorial freedoms of the indigenous were exceptional. With support from the Social about the plight of indigenous or enslaved peoples of Canada – the First Nations, the Métis Sciences and Humanities Research Council of peoples within the British Empire gave way as and the Inuit – but also eroded their numbers Canada, Morgan project has explored not only attitudes on race hardened. Interracial intimacy as they were exposed to unfamiliar diseases. what motivated such people to travel, but also was frowned upon by the British state and drew Europeans asserted that indigenous peoples’ what effects their travels had on them, their negative attention in the press, disapproval from way of life was dying out and considered their home communities and ensuing generations. family and racist curiosity, but as a consequence cultures and religious beliefs inferior. Indigenous “The question of mobility interests me – how of the fur trade, increasing immigration and also peoples were increasingly placed under pressure could they move across borders and boundaries, travel, intimate relationships between men and to abandon their native belief systems and and why did they do so?” Morgan reflects. “I was women of different heritages formed. allegiances and assimilate into the new Canadian interested in examining the meanings of travel society: to be Canadian meant to subscribe to the to these people as individuals: how did it shape Morgan has found that these mixed relationships European – specifically English or French – way of their identities and lives?” cannot be neatly classified, as each story has its life and to be subject to imperial rule. own timbre, outcomes and ending; however, the literacy of at least one partner in English and INTERACTIONS WITH COLONIAL POWER Although now largely forgotten by the Canadian the resulting ability to translate between the public, in the 19th Century indigenous Canadians In the course of her research, Morgan has explored imperialist and native cultures was an important such as E Pauline Johnson, Peter Edmund Jones of a number of themes – such as gender, theatre benefit. For example, the Methodist religion drew the Mississauga Ojibwa (born Kahkewaquonaby) and performance, public and intimate relations, some mixed couples together, and their fluency and John Brant-Sero (born Ojijatekha) were and networks of interconnection – linking the in English allowed them to broker and interpret very well known. Yet, while the lives of these travel of indigenous men, women and children. religious teachings for native communities. people followed very different paths – E Pauline Her main foci were the reasons they travelled, Literacy in English was also fundamental for Johnson was a half-Mohawk, half-British poet the networks with organisations and individuals negotiations with British authorities or for and performance artist, Peter Jones was half that they formed, whether those networks relaying critiques of imperialist society couched British, a Mississauga Ojibwa chief and Methodist were instrumental in prompting their travel in terms (metaphors and symbols) that both missionary, and John Brant-Sero was a Mohawk or resulted from their travels, and the impact indigenous and British people could understand. performer, writer and lecturer – they all travelled of their travels. For this, Morgan has analysed This enabled these travellers to demonstrate repeatedly to Britain in the 19th Century. In written media such as newspapers, travelogues, that, far from being part of a ‘dying race’, as their careers, Johnson and Brant-Sero played to government records, missionary society reports, was widely believed, they could adapt and that the European fascination with ‘exotic natives’; letters and diaries, and pictorial media such as their history was a continuing one. Moreover, far Brant-Sero, on the other hand, found his native posters, sketches and photographs. The results from forgetting their own heritage, Morgan has background thwarted his efforts to join a British will soon be published in a book, which relates established that the travellers often worked hard military campaign. the stories of many people, most of whom to preserve their own languages and histories. travelled between Canada and Britain. Brant- Prompted by their stories, Professor Cecilia Sero, Johnson and Jones were part of a well- A SENSE OF HOME Morgan at the University of Toronto has established and general flow of people between the British centre of empire and British colonies The children who travelled to Britain from who primarily travelled for practical purposes Canada at the time were mainly the offspring such as work, education or to represent a case to of mixed marriages between fur traders and

Indigenous peoples’ travel abroad was undertaken with the motivation of both engaging with and confronting imperialistic and colonial assumptions

106 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION indigenous women. Though the state classed INTELLIGENCE them as indigenous, their British fathers wished them to receive a British education and COLONY AND METROPOLE: they were sent into new networks of schools NATIVE PEOPLE AND TRAVEL, and kin – their fathers’ families. Notions of BRITISH NORTH AMERICA TO home and kin for both these children and the BRITAIN, 1775-1920 adult travellers, however, remained primarily OBJECTIVES represented by their ancestral heritage, families and communities, whichever side • To determine when and why indigenous of the Atlantic they inhabited or community people undertook transatlantic and events they attended might be. However, imperial travel; the kinds of experiences social, religious, economic and political such mobility brought them; and the forces increasingly impacted on traditional Nahnebahwequa. Image courtesy of the The Grey Roots ways of life for indigenous people; and British Archival Collection, Owen Sound effects of traveling on the travellers attitudes to race meant that legal, political and themselves and their communities economic authority was progressively asserted MOVING FORWARDS • To explore the kinds of networks, local more strongly over native people as the 19th and imperial, that facilitated movement Century unfolded. As a result indigenous people Morgan is keen to showcase the extent of across oceans and borders ultimately became wards of the state: “Home her research through a variety of media and and domesticity, the intimate and familial, were has published her results in a number of • To understand how gender relations concepts and places that became increasingly papers, journals, keynote addresses, and has shaped indigenous peoples’ travel in the subject to the intrusion and regulation of given workshop presentations nationally and 19th Century British Empire colonial governments and nation-states,” internationally. Furthermore, she has recently muses Morgan. initiated a new project, examining the histories FUNDING of English-Canadian actresses on transnational Despite the fact that Queen Victoria was the and imperial stages between the 1860s and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research head of the British state, the male-dominated 1940s: “This group is different, but many of the Council Insight Grant – award no. imperial structure (or system) also made same themes – forging networks and moving INSERT410-2007-0220 assumptions about gender: that indigenous across borders, in particular – resonate,” she men were the leaders and spokespersons concludes, highlighting the broad scope of her CONTACT for their communities and that the head of continuing research in this field. Professor Cecilia Louise Morgan a household, however configured, would Principal Investigator be male. For Morgan, the ways in which Frances Minnehaha Copway, c. 1870s. Frances was the women such as Catherine Bunch Sutton (born daughter of the Mississauga Methodist missionary, writ- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Nahnebahwequa), who presented a case er, and traveler George Copway/Kahgegagabowh and the University of Toronto on Ojibwa land rights to the Queen, and E English Elizabeth Howell Copway. Image courtesy of the Eva Brook Donly Museum and Archives, Simcoe 252 Bloor Street West Pauline Johnson, handled the British notions Toronto of authority is particularly fascinating. “They Ontario M5S 1V6 both cooperated with and challenged imperial Canada and colonial power. Nahnebahwequa was pregnant when she travelled overseas and gave T +1 416 978 1209 birth just after her audience with the Queen!” E [email protected] she explains. In fact, consistently, Morgan has found that indigenous peoples’ travel abroad CECILIA MORGAN earned a BA (1987) was undertaken with the motivation of both engaging with and confronting imperialistic and in History/Women’s Studies and MA colonial assumptions. (1988) and PhD (1994) in History, all from the University of Toronto. As a social Peter Jones, Engraving made during his and cultural historian, Morgan’s research 1837-38 tour of Britain. Peter Jones interests are in the areas of gender, Collection. Courtesy of Victoria University colonialism, and imperialism in the British

Eliza Field Jones, Portrait, April 1832. Archives, Toronto Empire; the writing of Canadian history Peter Jones Collection. Courtesy of Victoria at a popular level in 19th and 20th Century University Archives Ontario; and the links between gender, culture, and national identities.

Morgan’s last book was A Happy Holiday: English-Canadians and Transatlantic Tourism, 1870-1930 (University of Toronto Press, 2008), which explores tourism’s relationship to gender, modernity, and transnational and imperial identities. She has just completed two book manuscripts on the history of commemoration and memory in Canada. Morgan’s publications have won a number of awards. She has also served on various scholarly committees and editorial boards.

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 107 Homeland Dr Rukhsana Ahmed, co-investigators Drs Caroline Andrew, Houssein Charmarkeh, Peruvemba Jaya, Luisa Veronis, and coordinator

OMMI Ms April Carrière discuss their project based in Ottawa, Canada, that is exploring how media influences the development of immigrant transnational identities and communities

CAPTION TO FOLLOW

From left to right: Anjali Nundy, Peruvemba Jaya, Jing Feng, Houssein Charmarkeh, Rukhsana Ahmed, Luisa Veronis, April Carrière, Caroline Andrew

Could you describe the aims of the Ottawa newcomers every year. Media plays a complex geographical/national dispersion, and media Multicultural Media Initiative (OMMI)? role in assisting newcomers in the settlement, production/consumption, that are likely to lead to integration and inclusion process and provide rich and nuanced research. RA: OMMI is studying Ottawa’s growing essential information about the local community multicultural media production and use over that can help them to orient themselves. It was found that only the Chinese community three sequential phases. We are focusing on Multicultural media may inform newcomers frequently read local community newspapers. three interrelated objectives: to build long- about events and organisations within their Were there any other striking differences term research capacity and expertise on the own ethnic group, which can provide a source of detected between the communities? intersections between multicultural media, support, as well as social and cultural wellbeing. immigrant integration and economic prosperity; Also significant is the fact that media can provide RA: Differences were indentified in their to forge strong partnerships between the key information about economic opportunities media use practices: how often they watch or University of Ottawa, the City of Ottawa, and labour market participation. listen to specialised language programmes, targeted communities and local stakeholders the types of programmes they watch or listen through a broad and dynamic network of PJ: Studying multicultural media gives us insights to, and their preferred media sources. collaboration; and to co-create, mobilise and into the ways in which different communities disseminate knowledge about multicultural participate in and engage with questions and AC: Chinese and South Asians were more media and their potential to address issues topics of interest in a multicultural space. likely to consume media produced in their related to Ottawa’s economic prosperity, and These forms of media also provide services to country of origin, whereas Spanish-speaking immigrant inclusion and integration. newcomers to Canada, which facilitates their Latin American respondents were more integration and inclusion into Canadian society likely to consume Spanish language media What role does multicultural media and at the same time builds an emotional and produced in Canada and the US. Somali play in inclusion and integration for informational link to their countries and cultures respondents revealed that they consumed newcomers to Ottawa? of origin. Somali language media produced in Somalia, Canada and the UK, reflecting the diasporic CA: This question is the central reason that HC: As the populations of large urban centres, nature of the community. motivated our study of the production and such as Ottawa, increase in their diversity, it use of non-English, non-French media. One becomes even more important to capture the All four communities made significant use can imagine that these media could play an role of multicultural media in the integration of social networking and media sites such as important role in the integration and inclusion process. This includes access to local and Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, but Chinese of recent immigrants or one could imagine the national news in their own language to provide community respondents indicated a marked reverse – that they are a factor in keeping people opportunities to express their perspectives on key preference for specifically Chinese sites, such as attached to their countries of origin. We wanted issues and to challenge the image portrayed by Weibo, QQ and Renren. to understand the complexity of the role of mainstream media. media in the lives of recent immigrants – what do Could you provide some insight into the they listen to and what do they read – and why? Why did you choose to survey media use by specific aims of the next phase? Our intent is to better understand the specific Ottawa’s Chinese, Latin American, Somali and ways people learn about their new locations by South Asian communities? RA: In phase two, the OMMI research team focusing on the role of multicultural media. will engage in focus group discussions with AC: The four communities are among Ottawa’s multicultural media consumers and interview LV: Ottawa features a significant and most populous ethnocultural minorities. They multicultural media producers, to provide more very diverse immigrant population, which represent a fertile combination of characteristics in-depth and nuanced understandings of the continues to grow with the arrival of numerous in terms of population size, group cohesion, survey findings. 108 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION OMMI Media for diaspora: immigrant inclusion

The OMMI project at Ottawa University aims to deepen understanding of how all kinds of multicultural media facilitate the settlement process of newcomers from other countries to Canadian society

FROM THE LATE 20th Century the tradition of MULTICULTURAL MEDIA areas such as housing, employment, health mainly European immigration to Ottawa, the and education,” explains the OMMI’s Principal capital of Canada, changed; as a consequence, The Ottawa Multicultural Media Initiative Investigator, Associate Professor Rukhsana Chinese, African, Middle Eastern and Indian (OMMI) is a research project designed to Ahmed of the Department of Communication immigrants now far outnumber their European expand knowledge of the role of ethnic at the University of Ottawa. While the data counterparts. Within five years, such ‘visible and Canadian media consumption in the from the OMMI survey are still being analysed, minorities’, largely originating from China, settlement, integration and inclusion processes the initial results indicate marked differences Lebanon, India, Vietnam and Somalia, are of newcomers to the city. Previous research into between patterns of use of ethnic media by the expected to account for 28 per cent of multicultural media in Canada has focused on different communities. Ottawa’s population. Though immigrants the largest cities, Toronto and Vancouver – the tend to be underrepresented, stereotyped OMMI is the first review of multicultural media SURVEYING COMMUNITIES or maligned in mainstream Canadian media, in Ottawa. The project focuses on Chinese, projections are that any net growth in the Spanish-speaking Latin American, Somali and The OMMI survey sought to find out from future labour force and ensuing prosperity will South Asian communities, and explores the the communities themselves what their be entirely attributable to settlers from other possible opportunities and benefits presented multicultural media usage behaviours and parts of the world. by ethnic media production. motivations were, to establish which types of media they used and how frequently they used As well as affording the ability to stay in touch The OMMI is a joint undertaking between them. Diverse forms of print, broadcast and with events and trends in their home countries, researchers at the University of Ottawa, the digital media were included, such as news, blogs, the needs of newcomers to Canada, especially City of Ottawa, multicultural media producers, films, situation comedies, religious programmes, if they are not fluent in English or French, leading multicultural media scholars and cultural programmes, commercials and are usually met by media delivered in their practitioners, representatives of the city’s children’s programmes, produced by diverse native language. While it is thought that such Chinese, Somali, South Asian and Latin groups: “The OMMI understands multicultural media can have the effect of segregating new American communities, and local stakeholders. media as being for particular ethnocultural immigrants from mainstream Canadian society, The first stage of the project established this communities, irrespective of whether they are as a general rule, immigrants’ reliance on large network of interested parties and has now ‘ethnic media’ fades as they eventually adjust surveyed the usage by immigrants of Ottawa’s to their new environment and local mores. In multicultural media in detail: “By discovering the interim, however, ethnic media play an the functions of multicultural media and how important part in helping new immigrants to they affect newcomer wellbeing, inclusion deal with a range of issues, such as emergency and ultimately integration, the OMMI aims situations, finding employment, schooling and to help the City of Ottawa to develop policies accommodation, and also discovering what aid to cover any gaps in existing multicultural may be available to them. media provision to address specific issues in

WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 109 INTELLIGENCE OTTAWA MULTICULTURAL MEDIA INITIATIVE (OMMI) OBJECTIVES To build long-term research capacity and expertise on the intersections between multicultural media, immigrant integration and economic prosperity. The OMMI is a research project TEAM MEMBERS designed to expand knowledge of Principal Investigator: Rukhsana Ahmed, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Ottawa the role of ethnic and Canadian Co-investigators: Caroline Andrew, PhD, media consumption in the Director, Centre on Governance • Houssein Charmarkeh, PhD, Lecturer • Peruvemba S settlement, integration and Jaya, PhD, Associate Professor • Luisa Veronis, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of inclusion processes of newcomers Geography, University of Ottawa Project Coordinator: April Carrière, PhD to the city candidate, University of Ottawa KEY PARTNER produced only by those communities or soley in in international news. For all groups, however, their ethnic languages,” Ahmed says. Canadian news was the second-highest reason City of Ottawa cited for using multicultural media. FUNDING Survey recipients were recruited through a variety of means, including word of mouth via To find out information about City of Ottawa Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), no. 890-2010-0137 real and virtual social and community networks, services, the Chinese and Latin Americans and active recruitment at events and gatherings tended to use the City’s website, whereas South CONTACT by paid volunteers from each community. The Asians and Somalis were more likely to read a Dr Rukhsana Ahmed survey questionnaire was first tested with the local daily newspaper. Despite the fact that the Associate Professor help of representatives of the communities Chinese community is comparatively large, well involved before being issued to 1,600 recipients established and has the greatest range of ethnic Department of Communication – 400 adults from each ethnic set: “OMMI media available, the survey also found that they University of Ottawa strived to ensure that respondents would be were the keenest readers of local community Desmarais Building 55 Avenue Laurier East, Room 11147 representative of the diversity within each newspapers, which were not commonly read by Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada community in terms of age, gender, education, the other groups. income, national origin and length of stay in T +1 613 562 5800 x 3834 Canada,” explains Ms April Carrière, OMMI IDENTIFYING GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES E [email protected] coordinator. The survey yielded vast quantities http://artsites.uottawa.ca/ommi/en of data, as 1,212 questionnaires were completed The OMMI team plans to discuss the results of and returned. the survey with all members of the network, to RUKHSANA AHMED is Associate Professor, find out what opportunities they envisage for future action. In the next stages, the researchers Department of Communication, University INITIAL INTERPRETATIONS of Ottawa. Her research interests lie at will carry out a review of multicultural media the intersections of health, interpersonal, Key findings regarding multicultural media production in Ontario and highlight any gaps intercultural, organisational communication, usage, general to the four communities, are that and trends that may lead to socioeconomic media, religion, gender and development. immigrant populations are all comparatively and cultural opportunities for the City of unlikely to subscribe to cable, satellite or Ottawa, and also provide inputs to City policies, CAROLINE ANDREW is the Director of the Centre on Governance, University of Ottawa. Her internet services for their specific language or to multicultural media producers’ roadmaps and research interests relate to the relationship of listen to local multicultural radio programmes. community-orientated action plans. community-based equity-seeking groups. Their primary motivations for consuming multicultural media were to stay up to date with It is hoped that the project could serve as a HOUSSEIN CHARMARKEH is a lecturer at the news, economic trends, politics, and culture or model system for other projects seeking to Department of Communication, University of entertainment in their countries of origin. explore multicultural media usage by new Ottawa. His core research interest focuses on immigrants in other parts of Canada or other Critical Communication Studies. For members of the Chinese, Somali and South countries. The data collected will provide key Asian communities, the internet was the most insights into the ways in which people from PERUVEMBA S JAYA is Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University of important source of multicultural media, the Chinese, South Asian, Somali and Spanish- Ottawa. Her research interests lie in the areas whereas Spanish-speaking Latin Americans speaking Latin American cultures view local and of intercultural communication, organisational/ were more likely to use the internet only to read ethnic media after migration into Canada from interpersonal communication, gender, diversity newspapers online. other world regions. and multiculturalism. Members of the Chinese and South Asian The researchers are currently focused on the LUISA VERONIS is a social geographer communities were found to habitually watch prospects that the study will open up not just concerned with questions of social and spatial or listen to programmes in their own language, for immigrants and the City of Ottawa, but for inequality, the experiences of marginalised whereas members of the Somali and Latin society in Ottawa as a whole: “Our innovative groups and social justice in the city. American groups rarely did so. The Chinese approach, bringing together representatives of all APRIL CARRIÉRE is a doctoral candidate at the and South Asians were primarily interested stakeholders, is designed to ensure that the OMMI University of Ottawa’s School of Political Studies. in entertainment programmes, whereas the study will have far-reaching impacts throughout Her main research interests revolve around Somalis and Latin Americans were interested the Ottawa community,” observes Ahmed. collective capacity theories and practices. 110 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION COMMUNITY COMMUNITY Keep in touch with the latest in research dissemination

FUNDING CALLS CALENDAR

EarthCube 4-6 March Las Vegas, NV, USA Green Plastics & Their Building Blocks EarthCube aims to create a well-connected, community- 20-21 March Florence, Italy driven environment for the sharing of data and knowledge in New Perspectives in Science Education order to accelerate our ability to understand and accurately 26-28 March Vancouver, Canada predict the Earth system. This will involve the development of a GLOBE Series cyberinfrastructure capable of meeting the needs of current and future geoscientists. 31 March – 3 April Paris, France Euro-American Conference for Academic Disciplines DEADLINE: 12 March 2014 4-5 April Dubai, UAE www.nsf.gov 2014 International Conference on Natural Science and Environment Antarctic Research 24-27 April Fethiye, Turkey International Congress & Exhibition on Current Trends on The NSF’s Antarctic Sciences Section will support research Science Technology Education that expands fundamental knowledge of the region, addresses 1-2 May Ottawa, Canada scientific questions of regional or global importance, and relies on International Conference on New Trends in Transport conducting fieldwork that can only be performed at its best in the Phenomena Antarctic. Interdisciplinary research, and research that uses existing 7-8 May Paris, France samples, models and data, is particularly encouraged. International Conference on Environment and Renewable Energy DEADLINE: 15 April 2014 8-9 May Denver, CO, USA www.nsf.gov NGWA Conference on Characterization of Deep Groundwater 14-16 May Ancona, Italy Canada Research Chair Environmental Impact 2014 16-18 May Konya, Turkey Eligible Canadian degree-granting institutions are invited to International Conference on Education in Mathematics, Science nominate world-class scholars for the Canada Research Chairs and Technology Program. Nominees must be achieving research excellence 19-22 May Toronto, Canada that works to improve Canada’s knowledge base, quality of life, American Canadian Conference for Academic Disciplines international competitiveness and training of the next generation 30 May-1 June Boston, MA, USA of scientists. The Teaching Professor Conference

NOMINATION DEADLINE: 28 April 2014 www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca ONLINE

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WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 111 the last word: Innovation in southern Ontario, Canada

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Canada’s Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, presents an analysis of how the Government of Canada is working to strengthen the economy of southern Ontario through innovation

Today, more than ever before, Canadian businesses are faced with Ontario investment has helped develop the CHWP in collaboration with unprecedented global competition and technology that changes, improves, 19 companies and not-for-profit partners to create a cloud-based software or becomes obsolete overnight. This changing landscape has increased the and wellness management platform. The Agency has also invested in large- importance of innovation, commercialisation and partnerships. scale projects with the objective of creating new centres of excellence and potential new growth industries throughout the southern Ontario region. An All levels of government and our innovators, businesses entrepreneurs and example is FedDev Ontario’s investment of $19.5 million, in support of the post-secondary institutions must work collaboratively to make the next big Southern Ontario Water Consortium. discovery, bring ideas to old and new markets beyond our borders, improve productivity, create jobs and ensure the economic prosperity of this country. The Agency’s efforts so far have put thousands of people in the southern Ontario region back to work while improving the economic climate for For the Government of Canada’s part, we believe we have set the right innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration. macro-economic conditions to retain, attract and grow Canadian businesses. Our Conservative Government is confident we have and will continue to And, as any good investor, we are ready to continue to invest in those successfully fulfil this role. companies and organisations that will provide this country with the greatest return. In Budget 2013, our Government maintained its commitment to We have refocused the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) into a workers, families and communities in southern Ontario with the renewal of research technology organisation mandated to provide Canadian industry FedDev Ontario. Economic Action Plan 2013 provides $920 million over five with access to strategic research and development, technical services and years for the Agency, starting on April 1, 2014. specialised scientific infrastructure it needs to succeed. We have done this in recognition that Canada’s ability to gain a competitive advantage in the Recently, I had the pleasure of launching the Southern Ontario Prosperity modern economy increasingly depends on our ability to translate knowledge Initiatives (SOPIs), which represents over $530 million over five years, and ideas into commercial products that will generate wealth and improve beginning this spring. The SOPIs are designed to help improve southern the lives of Canadians. Ontario’s economic prosperity, attract more investment, create new jobs, accelerate business growth and help strengthen our economy now and for In the same vein, we have opened the door to new markets with millions of the future. new customers. All regions and sectors across Canada stand to benefit from the groundbreaking Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement that has In addition, I recently launched the $200 million Advanced Manufacturing been reached in principle, between Canada and the EU. Fund in Ontario. It will promote continued growth of Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector by supporting large-scale, transformative Our Government has also strategically invested directly in projects and manufacturing activities. companies where the return on our investment has and will lead to the growth and prosperity of our country. In support of this priority, the The Agency is also investing $48 million for the renewal of the Eastern Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario Development Program, which will promote strategic economic Ontario) was established in August 2009 to work with southern Ontario’s development in eastern Ontario that will have a long-term impact in communities, businesses and not-for-profits to address regional and global the region. economic challenges. As Canada’s most populous region – home to 12.3 million residents living in 288 communities – southern Ontario is a major A strong Canada depends on a prosperous southern Ontario that is home contributor to the Canadian economy. to: communities that attract investment; businesses that are productive and innovative; and post-secondary institutions and not for profits that work In its first four years, FedDev Ontario committed over CAD $1.1 billion closely with the business community. to various projects, resulting in partnerships with more than 5,300 organisations and over $1.5 billion in additional leveraged investments, As Minister of State for FedDev Ontario, I look forward to seeing all of the almost exclusively from non-government sources. possibilities that will come to light as a result of these new opportunities.

The Agency has made impacts with game-changing projects like the Connected Health and Wellness Platform (CHWP). A $15.5 million FedDev www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca

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112 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION