Engaging Students in Science for International Decision Making

Addressing global environmental issues involves working at the intersection of science and decision making. Graduate students and early career researchers who engage in environmental research, however, have few meaningful opportunities within academia to gain the knowledge and training on how their research can be employed for social innovation and collective impacts. This project provides an innovative and immersive three-part experience for students on communicating science for decision making through student-led presentations and outreach at a meeting on international environmental issues. First, a three-day university-based workshop will convene students from multiple institutions and provide intensive training by experts in environmental negotiations and science policy. Students will also work together to develop team presentations on their science research for delivery at a decision-making body. Second, at the UN Framework Convention Conference of the Parties (COP25) in Santiago, Chile, the students will present at an official event for the delegates and an event for the public, conduct media outreach, and participate in daily debriefs led by faculty to link the training at the workshop to the COP agenda. Finally, the students will develop materials stemming from their presentation and experience, such as blogs, press releases and reports. By coupling training and authentic, real world engagement, students will learn how to navigate environmental issues in decision making, gain intercultural and diplomacy skills, and build professional networks.