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What Institutions Offer Graduate Multi/Inter/Transdisciplinary Academic/Research Programs?
Finding the right academic program to suit your needs and career goals is one of the first steps to doing transdisciplinary research. It can be a very challenging process to sift through the almost overwhelming amount of information out there on graduate research programs and pick the one that is best for you! We have compiled on our web site (http://conbio.org/workinggroups/sswg/toolkit.html) is this the correct web site? a list of programs to help narrow down your search by providing a quick reference to programs that support transdisciplinary research leading to a Masters or PhD degree. Each entry provides the name of the academic institution, name of the degree program, a brief description of this program from their web site, and contact information to pursue your search further with that institution. In looking for a graduate program, department web sites are an important source of information about program goals, requirements, and structure. However don’t underestimate the information you can get from contacting students who are already in the program or have recently graduated from the program, as well as the academic faculty who are associated with the program. Good luck with your search!
Click here to download the database of institutions and graduate programs.
Short Courses Relevant to Interdisciplinary Research in Conservation
Several institutions offer field courses or other short courses that provide an opportunity to carry out combined social and natural studies. Make sure to check your institution, or the one you are applying to, as each university offers field courses that may be relevant to interdisciplinary research. Below are a few larger partnerships or collaborative programs that offer short courses in the area of the natural and social side of biodiversity conservation. Followed by the name of the institution is a brief description of the overall program, sample courses, and a web site to obtain further information.
Organization of Tropical Studies, Costa Rica
The Organization for Tropical Studies provides creative, groundbreaking, and scientifically sound graduate education programs. Today the organization remains committed to making training in tropical biology part of the experience of students and professionals, both in the field of biology as well as in other disciplines. OTS offers courses for undergraduate students, graduate students, professionals and the general public in English, Spanish and Portuguese. In addition to traditional courses in tropical biology, OTS also offers courses and training in conservation biology, environmental policy, and in natural history. Example of interdisciplinary courses include: Conservation and Development in Tropical Countries: Insights and Implications (English), Ecological Principles for Sustainable Development in Latin America (in Spanish), Management of Tropical Forest Areas (in Spanish).
Community Agroecology Network (CAN), Santa Cruz, California
The community agroecology network offers courses, resources, and information focused on a holistic approach to agriculture and agricultural development based on traditional, alternative, and local small-scale agriculture, and linking ecology, socioeconomics and culture to sustain agricultural production, farming communities, and environmental health. The 2006 International Agroecology Short Course, held in Nicaragua, is entitled “Agroecology, community and action: integrating conservation and sustainable livelihoods in rural landscapes”.
Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), Costa Rica CATIE is a leading research and training institute on sustainable rural development and tropical agricultural issues. It offers several education and training opportunities, including courses, workshops and seminars, conferences, service training, and on-line courses. Topics include watershed management, sustainable living, and resource management.
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