1. Barriers- ability to address complex scientific dilemmas Disciplinary specialization- does not guarantee the ability to solve complex problems To cross barriers requires; A. Funding/Time – joint proposal writing/doctoral preliminary exams B. Cross disciplinary cooperation/ integrated technical training D. Getting around turfism E. Getting around egos F. Getting past differences in methodologies

2. What is IGERT or sometimes referred to as CATIE? A NSF interdisciplinary and international funded grant initiative through the University of Idaho Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education center in Idaho and Costa Rica with the theme of biodiversity conservation and sustainable production of anthropogenically fragmented landscape

3. To Design research questions that integrate theoretical knowledge with practical problem solving To research outcomes that impact the knowledge structures of each represented disciplinary product To construct ways to create a critical awareness towards understanding the needs for interdisciplinary research To over come institutional barriers To produce grad students with interdisciplinary backgrounds and deep knowledge in chosen disciplines with technical, professional and personal skills To produce students to become their own career leaders and creative agents for change

4. Themes of the issues can become a bridge or barrier A. Individual B. Disciplinary C. Programmatic

5. Common problems A. Coordination B. Collaboration C. Combined inquiry D. Sharing, creation, synthesis of the knowledge among the research from various disciplines

6. 18 doctoral students in 4 cohorts over 2 years Their backgrounds included; botany, economics, entomology, forest ecology, wildlife and plant genetics, hydrology, remote sensing, rural sociology, soil science and wildlife biology Students coursework took place in the College of Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science and Environmental Science 5 Research teams operated in agricultural and forested landscapes in Costa Rica and Idaho, USA. (3 in Costa Rica and 2 in Northern Idaho

7. IGERT fellows are involved in an interdisciplinary effort to study conservation biology and sustainability issues. Four cohorts of students are working closely with their UI and CATIE advisors, as well as other UI and CATIE graduate students. Students from different disciplinary backgrounds, including biological, physical and social sciences, work together in the cohorts and conduct comparative and cooperative research projects across ecological settings and disciplines.

8. Technical training through integrated networks Funding - multi year graduate stipend for 3 years plus provided funding for professional travel Time- joint proposal writing, doctoral exams, coordinated [proposal writing

9. Inquiry needs to come from the social and biophysical sides of the equation The integration depends on the geographic location and region

10. Vision Risk taking Flexibility Common vision Creativity Cross- disciplinary thinking Dedication Professionalism/accountability Patience Problem Solving Conflict resolution Communication strategy Experience

11. Idiosyncrasies Language Paradigm Scales and units Spatial scale Temporal scale Metrics Timing, models and frameworks Examples of interdisciplinary work Team make up and focus theme Problem centered/applied results Unifying theme/focus Audience

12. 1. Establish an accountability strategy 2. Develop formal and informal communication strategies 3. Select team members thoughtfully and strategically 4. Address temporal and spacial scale issues 5. Recognize and respect timing issues 6. Define focal themes and research questions jointly and clearly 7. Emphasize problem definition and team proposal writing 8. Target interdisciplinary training 9. Identify mentors on team integration

13. Framework Broad and flexible research topic Disciplinary or interdisciplinary focus Depth vs. breadth Mentoring Advisor experience/ commitment Proposal writing CATIE partnership International research Training and resources Technical training Funding Time Preliminary exams