Teaching Interdisciplinary Sustainability Science Teamwork Skills to Graduate Students Using In-Person and Web-Based Interactions

Published in Sustainability, 6(12):9428-9440
Authors

Knowlton, J., Halvorsen, K.E., Handler, R. and O'Rourke, M.
Publication year 2014
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/su6129428
Affiliations
  • School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr. Houghton, MI 49931, USA
  • Department of Social Sciences/School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr. Houghton, MI 49931, USA
  • Sustainable Futures Institute, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931, USA
  • Department of Philosophy & AgBioResearch, 368 Farm Lane Room 503, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

 
IAI Program

CRN3
IAI Project CRN3105
Keywords
international
partnerships in international research and education
sustainability
team research
Toolbox Project

Abstract

Interdisciplinary sustainability science teamwork skills are essential for addressing the world&rsquos most pressing and complex sustainability problems, which inherently have social, natural, and engineering science dimensions. Further, because sustainability science problems exist at global scales, interdisciplinary science teams will need to consist of international members who communicate and work together effectively. Students trained in international interdisciplinary science skills will be able to hit the ground running when they obtain jobs requiring them to tackle sustainability problems. While many universities now have sustainability science programs, few offer courses that are interdisciplinary and international in scope. In the fall semester of 2013, we piloted a course for graduate students entitled &ldquoPrinciples of Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research&rdquo at Michigan Technological University. This course was part of our United States National Science Foundation Partnerships in International Research and Education project on bioenergy development impacts across the Americas. In this case study, we describe the course development and implementation, share critical insights from our experience teaching the course and student learning outcomes, and give recommendations for future similar courses.