Calling all researchers, practitioners, students, creators and decision makers working in the water resources space – join us to co-create knowledge and inspire the next best research questions!
Complex and so-called “wicked problems” require integrated responses drawing on the expertise of many types of institutions and disciplines to harness the idea-creating power of academic research and translate it into applied, impactful real-world solutions. This workshop and the planning process leading up to it are a demonstration in knowledge co-production, bringing researchers, practitioners, educators, artists, and the public together around a particular topic and problem space – interactions between surface waters and human decisions, targeting microplastics and nutrient cycling in waters. Through a blend of presentations, multi-stakeholder discussions, excursions, and collaborative exercises, workshop participants will converge to co-generate insights that catalyze integration and innovation across groups that create, research, work, regulate, advocate, educate, and communicate in and about the convening topic.
A multi-stakeholder planning committee is developing the detailed agenda in early 2024. Panels, activities and interactions will be held all day on Thursday May 16th and Friday May 17th. RSVP below to let us know you are interested and to learn more as details are available.
This event is funded by the Increasing Interested Party Engagement and Co-Production for The International Network for Researching, Advancing, and Assessing Materials for Environmental Sustainability (INFRAMES) project.
Panel One: The System
What’s the story behind the mountain river and streams? How do they change throughout the year, support special plants and animals, influence our culture, and impact our lives economically, socially, and historically? And what are we doing to protect them?
- Andy Hill, High Country Regional Director of Mountain True and Watauga Riverkeeper
- Kelly McCoy, Owner, RiverGirl Fishing Co.
- Mark Wiesner, Ph.D., Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University; INFRAMES PI
Panel Two: The Stuff
How do we keep tabs on what’s in our water, and what are the hurdles we face? From figuring out what pollutants are present to tracking where they come from, how do we make sure our water stays clean and safe, and who’s in charge of making sure it does?
- Ralf Kaegi, Ph.D., Research Scientist and Particle Lab Head, Eawag Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
- Eric McLamore, Ph.D.,Associate Professor of Agricultural Sciences, Clemson University
- Danielle Slomberg, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Sustainable Environment Group, Aix-Marseille Université—CEREGE
- Emma Crider, High Country Outreach Coordinator, Mountain True
- Nathaniel Barrett, Research Scientist, Western Carolina University
Panel Three: The Risk/Impact
What are the risks associated with plastics and excess nutrients in our environment, and how do they affect both people and ecosystems? From potential health hazards to the services provided by our natural surroundings, how do we understand and address the impacts of these pollutants on our lives and the world around us?
- Matthew Van Dyke, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Advertising and Public Relations, University of Alabama
- Ryan Sparks, NC DEQ Basin Planning Branch
- Courtney Woods, Ph.D., Associate Professor and MPH Program Director, Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill
- Aaron Hrozencik, Ph.D., Research Agricultural Economist, USDA Economic Research Service
May 16 – 17, 2024
(Detailed agenda coming soon)
On the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC
Sponsor
National Science Foundation via the International Network for Researching, Advancing, and Assessing Materials for Environmental Sustainability (INFRAMES)
