- Integration and Application Network
The Integration and Application Network (IAN) is a collection of scientists interested in solving, not just studying environmental problems. The intent of IAN is to inspire, manage and produce timely syntheses and assessments on key environmental issues, with a special emphasis on Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. IAN is an initiative of the
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science , but links with other academic institutions, various resource management agencies and non-governmental organizations.Overview
A major feature of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) is the focus on science integration and application. Science integration is an effort that goes beyond the generation and reporting of data-it is the attempt to synthesize and interpret the world in light of new scientific findings. Developing an integrated picture using disparate findings is often the most difficult challenge for scientists. Science integration typically requires input from a variety of disciplines, and a large part of the science conducted at UMCES is multi-disciplinary, often combining physics, chemistry, geology and biology. Science application is an effort that goes beyond the scientific peer group-it is the attempt to conduct research that will have direct applications, particularly in resource management. Scientific results are typically published in journals and books that are targeted for other like-minded scientists. The efforts to communicate findings to a broader audience and to develop ways to implement various policies that stem from research findings are included in science application. The combination of science integration with science application is a powerful approach in dealing with environmental problems-it allows scientists to go beyond just identifying and documenting problems and provides opportunities to actually solve important problems.
IAN will provide opportunities for scientists to build credibility with stakeholders, as well as enhancing the already substantial credibility with scientific peers. Creative ways of synthesizing data, communicating results and developing solutions are being pioneered at UMCES, using established and emerging technologies. In terms of tenacity, UMCES is in the business of environmental problem solving for the long term. From the creation of Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in 1925, scientists at UMCES have been devoting their professional lives to studying and solving environmental problems. In terms of virtue, the creation of IAN represents the latest in a series of faculty initiatives to stimulate and enhance the effectiveness of their research.
External links
The [http://ian.umces.edu/ IAN website] contains a variety of resources
Communication Products
* [http://ian.umces.edu/enewsletter/ Monthly enewsletter]
* [http://ian.umces.edu/newsletters/ Newsletters]
* [http://ian.umces.edu/factsheets/ Factsheets]
* [http://ian.umces.edu/posters/ Posters]
* [http://ian.umces.edu/presentations/ Presentations]
* [http://ian.umces.edu/reports/ Reports]
* [http://ian.umces.edu/books/ Books]
* [http://ian.umces.edu/refbase/ UMCES Publications Database]
* [http://ian.umces.edu/news/ UMCES News Database]Tools
* [http://ian.umces.edu/symbols/ Symbols] : 1500+ Free vector symbols for creating conceptual diagrams
* [http://ian.umces.edu/imagelibrary/ Image Library] : Free high resolution image and video libraryMeetings, Workshops, Seminars
* [http://ian.umces.edu/seminarseries/ Chesapeake Bay Seminar Series] : Monthly seminar series in Annapolis, MD
* [http://ian.umces.edu/sccourse/ Science Communication Course] : A hands-on course in communicating science effectivelyFeedback
* [http://ian.umces.edu/forum/ Science Communication Discussion Forum]
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