Water-Energy-Food Nexus Collaborative Learning School, Chesapeake Bay Watershed, June 1-14, 2024
The 2024 SustainFood Collaborative Learning School (CLS) will focus on the complex water-energy-food (WEF) nexus dynamics within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, a region in the Eastern United States with critical inter-state water and environmental quality challenges.
Recognizing the multifaceted WEF connections for agricultural intensification, the CLS will use water resources and water quality as entry points to assess food security considering field crops, livestock, and fisheries, as well as energy security from conventional and renewable sources, all linked by flows in the Susquehanna River, other Chesapeake Bay tributaries, and groundwater.
The Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW) is rich in a multitude of WEF nexus-related topics, and we welcome applicants with expertise in any related WEF nexus areas, including but not limited to sustainable agriculture, food value chains, agroforestry, nutrient loading to waterways, instream ecological flows, climate-driven flood and drought extremes, bioenergy, manure-based biogas, solar and wind technologies, and legacies effects of historical coal mining and current development of oil, gas, and fracking.
The CLS will take place over a 2-week period in June 2024, working locally with farmers, forest landowners, and fishers to decision-makers at state and inter-state levels. Travel costs will be covered, but salaries will not be covered. Final selection and invitations to participate in the CLS will be made by mid-December. A series of bi-weekly virtual preparatory sessions will be held from January – May 2024. A commitment to be actively involved in the full two weeks of the in-person CLS, all the virtual preparatory sessions, and continued networking beyond the CLS are required.
A recording of the October 18, 2023 Collaborative Learning School – Information Session can be found here.
Who can apply?
Applications are invited from early career researchers (at minimum PhD in process with Masters completed, or early career researchers up to 5 years after PhD was granted) from the US or Africa with research or activities directly related to WEF Nexus themes. Applications from EU NexusNet countries (https://nexusnet-cost.com/) are also welcome, provided applicants secure COST Action funding. We encourage applicants from a broad set of different disciplines (biophysical, social sciences, engineering, and others).
Application Process
All applicants will be required to have a reference letter sent directly to the CLS organizers. For PhD candidates, this is their academic advisor. For early-career postdocs, this is their supervisor. The letter must be sent by the advisor or supervisor, on official letterhead and signed, and should support your application, including for the advisor or supervisor to approve the commitment needed from you to participate in the CLS, including all January – May 2024 bi-weekly virtual preparatory sessions, the full two weeks of the in-person CLS (June 1-14, 2024), and continued networking beyond the CLS.
To apply:
- If you are a PhD candidate, secure a support letter from your PhD advisor
- The template letter can be downloaded in this link.
- Your adviser should email the letter to Nate Weyandt (ndw5072@psu.edu) by no later than midnight (11:59 pm EST), December 15, 2023.
- Carefully review the required application information (see below).
- Complete the online application form by no later than midnight (11:59 pm EST), December 15, 2023.
Required Application Information
Applicant Information
- Full Name
- University/Organization
- Department
- Country of Residence
- Nationality
- Valid Passport to Travel to US? Passport must be valid for at least 6 months at time of travel.
- Visa Required to Travel to US?
Academic Background
- Year PhD Received:
- Currently Enrolled in PhD Program? If yes, start year:
- Year Masters Degree Earned:
- Year PhD Degree Formally Granted (if completed):
- Dissertation Title or Brief (20 words or less) Description of Current PhD Research:
- Contact Information
- WhatsApp Number (with country code)
About the Candidate
- How Did You Hear About SustainFood CLS?
- In 100 words or less, describe your educational background and how it relates to the WEF nexus theme of the CLS
- In 100 words or less, describe your work experience and skills and how they will help you contribute to the WEF nexus theme of the CLS
- In 100 words or less, describe any community engagement experience and how it relates to the WEF nexus theme of the CLS
- In 100 words or less, describe your networking experience and how participating in the CLS will help grow the SustainFood network
- In 200 words or less, explain how this experience will help you reach your scholarly or career goals
- In 200 words or less, highlight specific skills you have to continue participating in the SustainFood network beyond the CLS
- List any professional networks you are part of
- How do you plan to disseminate CLS learnings within your broader professional networks?:
References
- Name and Title of Academic or Professional Supervisor
Application Form
Before starting your application, gather all the required information. Having everything you need handy will make filling out the form easier and faster. Submit your application by no later than midnight (11:59 pm EST), December 15, 2023.