PARENT SESSION
Symposium 13: Interdisciplinary Challenges in the Biogeosciences
Organized by: L Hedin and R Jackson
Wednesday, August 6. 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM, SITCC Oglethorpe Auditorium.

Education and Training in the Biogeosciences: Challenges, Considerations, and Opportunities for the Next Decade.

Edwards, Katrina^*,1, ¹ Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA

ABSTRACT- In recent years, scientists in the Earth and Life Sciences have embraced and promoted growth of interdisciplinary science in the various forms that we collectively term the Biogeosciences. As interest and enthusiasm has grown, however, so have the challenges that face researchers, students, educators, and administrators, as we attempt to meet the growing education and training needs unique to this field. In order to meet the complex educational and training challenges in the Biogeosciences, and other growing interdisciplinary fields, many specialized initiatives (training grants, educational centers and programs, etc.) have developed in order to help these communities effectively meet these needs, that otherwise may not be met by more traditional means. In this presentation I will discuss the specific challenges unique to interdisciplinary education and training in the Biogeosciences. I will discuss ways in which various communities have approached bridging the Earth and Life Science disciplines and infrastructure needs, and present overviews of some opportunities that presently exist for development or strengthening of education and training. Finally, I will summarize strides made over the past decade, and the discuss potential obstacles we may face in the next.

Key words: training, education, biogeoscience