 | Communicating Science
-> Pause and consider what the words communicating and science bring to mind for you… Did you think of news items about science that are intended for the public? Maybe instead you thought of teaching students how to do science… Or perhaps what popped into your head was something about the communication required to do team science. This variety of responses isn’t just about which words were used (syntax), but also the meaning of the words (semantics) based on the perspectives you brought to the exercise from your background, interests, and expertise. -> We aren’t immediately on the same page without more information and context. In the CALS Office of Research and Discovery, we work to create the infrastructure that simplifies your research, including systems, information maps, and opportunities. In this newsletter, the focus is on ways we communicate science.
Carolyn Lawrence-Dill |
CALS Research & Discovery – Focus on Communication
Communication
CALS News
Who comes up with those great stories about our CALS research? You may be reading an article by Ann Robinson! She’s a writer for the CALS News Service and for the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. Ann also reports the impacts of research to the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and generally makes our research accessible and more impactful through communication. Next time you see a great news article about research in CALS, check the byline. You could be reading the result of Ann’s work with CALS faculty and staff to highlight the value of what we do.
CALS “For Researchers” Website
Be sure to keep an eye on the “For Researchers” website. There you’ll find links to request support, info on who does what, and ways to sign up to receive a Funding Opps digest. The website, designed by Anne Staniger and the CALS WebDev Team, is how we communicate opportunities to you!
AES Projects: Multistate Approaches to Research Coordination
The Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station (AES) is not a building or location. It’s our program of research supported in part by “Hatch” and “Hatch Multistate” funds that support our capacity for research.
Hatch projects describe the work we do via research carried out by the faculty, staff, and students in CALS/AES at Iowa State. Hatch Multistate support is designed to create communication and collaboration across states and regions of the country. Are you interested to grow your research team and join with others nationwide who work on your favorite research topics? Join a Hatch Multistate project! To find out how, email Darwin and Ásrún at aes_research@iastate.edu.
Other Opportunities
Strategic Grants for Equipment and Infrastructure
The AES invites proposals to advance research and research capacity through investing in equipment and supporting infrastructures for existing AES Hatch/Multistate Projects. Proposals should describe how the equipment or infrastructure would further the aims of the existing AES project and describe whether equipment or infrastructure improvements would expand the scope of the project and, if so, in what way. Application deadline: October 17.
Upcoming
Trips to Funding Agencies
Got an idea for a proposal but you need a convo with a program director at NIFA, NSF, NIH, or some other agency? We’re starting to plan some trips to DC and KC, so be sure to let us know if you’re interested to join in!
Idea Management Platform and CALS Academy for Team Science (CATS)
In collaboration with the VPR’s Digital Ag Platform led by CTO Dr. Nadilia Gomez, we’re now setting up an online platform where you can attract experts and build teams to go after challenges in agricultural research. Coupled with a seed grant funding mechanism we’re now designing as an incentive to try it out, we’ll be doing team science in no time!
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| Carolyn Lawrence-Dill (me) I’m the Associate Dean for Research & Discovery. | Ásrún Kristmundsdóttir leads research development and the CARES Team. | Darwin Campbell is the CALS research Data Analyst. | Ann Staniger leads project management and training for the CALS WebDev Team. | Ann Robinson is a writer for CALS, focused on research and research impacts. |
CALS Office of Research & Discovery
139 Curtiss Hall, Iowa State University | Ames, Iowa. 50011
515-294-8842 | research.cals@iastate.edu