Overview

We have partnered with ten international research projects who are excited to embed GSS Fellows in their projects. The 2021 cohort of GSS Fellows will be matched with these partner organizations focused on sustainability research. Over the ten-weeks this summer the GSS Fellows will engage in the research, attend the SRI 2021 professional meetings, and build their professional networks. Below we have listed brief abstracts of the projects that GSS Fellows could join, their locations, and the skills that projects are looking for.

Salt-Mine

Project abstract: Salt-Mine is an innovative exploration of sustainable exploitation of seawater desalination for freshwater generation through development of better chemistry processes and development of effective seawater greenhouse.

Responsibilities: Laboratory and field research looking at the effects of chemical and salinity/temperature on selected marine organisms | Study of noise/vibration on several trophic groups.

Skills: MA studies in Biology | Toxicology studies preferable. 

No Crises

Project abstract: No Crises is exploring ocean conflicts, their evolution, contexts, stakeholders, and assessing sustainable ways to resolve these conflicts. In the USA, the project investigates fishery conflicts in Hawaii by evaluating and mapping of coastal and marine ecosystem services within the conflict area, focusing on coral reef ecosystems that are being used by fisheries.

Responsibilities: Collect and combine primary data from stakeholders, secondary data from publicly available datasets and literature reviews to identify key coral reef ecosystem services and quantify their values and spatial distribution.  

Skills: GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS or similar) |  statistical analyses (R, SPSS, or similar) | experience with interacting with stakeholders |  social science data collection methods. 

Multi-Frame

Project abstract: Multi-Frame investigates the social and environmental factors that are conducive or hinder ocean’s sustainable use. This is done through GIS analysis in 6 study areas (Sweden, Norway, France, Mozambique, US, and Brazil).

Responsibilities: Literature review | GIS analysis of the socio-economic, environmental and other datasets |  Assess coastal risks due to storms and sea-level | Examine population growth and development trends | Integrate data and insights into a summary report. 

Skills: Familiarity with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) is required |  Experience with Python, R or Matlab or other statistical software is preferred. 

Multi-Frame Submariner

Project abstract: This Project focuses on the promotion of innovation and sustainable use of marine resources by increasing the knowledge and capacity of public and private actors.

Responsibilities: Produce a project report based on qualitative interviews to project stakeholders | Literature review of  tourism for multi-use activities in Norway and USA.

Skills: Knowledgeable of interviewing techniques | able to interact with international stakeholders | Office 365 | Nvivo

Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment

Project abstract:  GMBA is a platform for international and cross-disciplinary collaboration on the assessment, conservation and sustainable use of mountain biodiversity. GMBA coordinates research on current and future change in mountain biodiversity and provision of ecosystem services and facilitate access of research to scientists, policy makers, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities: Disaggregation of  Sustainable Development Goal 15.4.1  (Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity) to the level of individual mountain ranges and deploy this information online.  The fellow will extract information for SDG 15.4.1 for years 2015-2020; perform comparative analysis of SDG 15.4.1 in space and time;  develop initial online interface for visualization of SDG 15.4.1

Skills: Geographer or spatial ecologist | experience in spatial analysis (R packages sf, sp, raster) is essential | Geo-processing (ArcGis or QGis) | Web programming (Leaflet, Django, Python, OpenLayers, WordPress, R Shiny).

Marisco

Project abstract: Marisco seeks to understand the consequences of human actions on coastal and ocean sustainability and how changes of biodiversity may impact Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP).

Responsibilities: Collecting primary (literature reviews) and secondary information (interviews) on NCPs that people derive from major organism groups of the Wadden Sea (Germany). For instance, phytoplankton, fish, macrozoobenthos, and birds. 

Skills: Microsoft Office | Interviewing techniques and workshop coordination | Qualitative and Quantitative methods of research is a plus | Ability to speak German is a plus (not required)

Creating Interfaces Delaware

Project abstract: Creating Interfaces in Delaware is building capacity to improve local citizenship access to healthy food through engagement with local stakeholders such as government, science, business, and citizens.  

Responsibilities: Develop a local food policy and implementation plan for the city of Wilmington, Delaware by conducting field research, analysis, and writing.

Skills: MA student in social sciences (political science, economics, environmental or urban studies, public health), public policy, or public administration | Experience with policy analysis and community engagement preferred | Strong written and oral communication skills.

Fuse

Project abstract: FUSE is constructing multi-agent urban Food-Water-Energy system models to capture interactions among users, producers, distribution mechanisms, and resources. This project examines interactions under changes in climate, demographics, land use, and economics. These models will help develop and evaluate policy interventions to identify sustainability options.

Responsibilities: Based on a literature review and in-depth study of specific metrics (water and carbon footprints), evaluate the suitability of available indicators for outputs of the integrated simulation models in FUSE.

Skills: Sound knowledge of statistical methods | background in quantitative methods | knowledge of programming languages such as R and Python is an asset .

City Food

Project abstract: CITY FOOD investigates transformative strategies for future cities that are adaptive and resilient while facing climate change. This is an opportunity to work in two interrelated projects: 1) assessing phosphorus recovery methods in aquaculture and the built environment; 2) food systems mapping and interdisciplinary investigation of regional food systems.

Responsibilities: Option 1: Conduct semi structured interviews with interdisciplinary stakeholders  | Assess findings using computer software and qualitative coding analysis. Option 2: Analyze data through GIS mapping  | Conduct case study-based research 

Skills: Microsoft Office | GIS skills ATLAS.ti or similar qualitative coding software  |  Tableau  | Adobe CC  | R and/ or Python 

Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study

Project abstract: SOLAS seeks to achieve a quantitative understanding of the key biogeochemical-physical interactions and feedbacks between the ocean and atmosphere; and how this coupled system effects and is affected by climate and environmental change.

Responsibilities: Compiling and publishing the monthly newsletter | Social media management: Twitter and Flickr accounts | Assist with the publication of SOLAS Event Reports | Communicate with event organizers, collect scientific contributions from early career researchers, compile the articles, proof-read, and distribute the report to the SOLAS community | Organization, planning, and execution of SOLAS events.

Skills: Degree in Environmental Studies, fluent in written and spoken English, MS Office, Twitter, MailChimp.