Danielle Wood will be participating in the session “Approaches to systems thinking: similarities and differences between the sciences and engineering.” The event is free and open to the public. Register to attend the event here.

Advancing a Systems Approach to Studying the Earth: A Strategy for the National Science Foundation

Integrating Earth Systems Science and Engineering: A Virtual Workshop

Friday November 20, 2020: 11 am ET – 3:30 pm ET

Complementing the National Academies consensus study Advancing a Systems Approach to Studying the Earth: A Strategy for the National Science Foundation, this workshop will bring together experts working at the intersection of engineering and earth systems science to share successful strategies and to identify important considerations for bridging these increasingly-connected fields.

Discussion will be held on how to build effective two-way partnerships between engineering and earth systems science, how systems thinking approaches may vary between these disciplinary areas, as well as how to undertake and operationalize larger projects connecting earth systems science and engineering.

Confirmed speakers include Lilia Abron (PEER Consultants, P.C), Ana P. Barros (Duke), Riley Duren (University of Arizona), Joshua Fu (University of Tennessee Knoxville) Jennifer Jacobs (University of New Hampshire), Tom McKone (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), Dustin Schroeder (Stanford), Danielle Wood (MIT), Wei-Ning Xiang (UNC Charlotte).

To learn more about this study, visit the project website.

The Board on Energy and Environmental Systems (BEES) provides independent advice on science and technology policy related to energy and the environment. BEES organizes studies, workshops, symposia, and expert meetings on topics such as advanced vehicle technologies, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the resilience of the electric grid. Their studies guide regulatory activities and government research programs and our events bring together experts from academia, government, industry, and non-governmental organizations to discuss key issues in energy policy. They also seek to inform and educate the public about the latest energy technologies and policies. Their past and current sponsors include the U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Homeland Security. 

Workshop Agenda

11:00 AM Welcome and purpose for the workshop

11:15 AM Session 1: What can earth systems science and engineering provide for each other?
Goal: This opening session will hear from researchers working at the boundary of engineering and earth systems science about the opportunities and challenges of work at this intersection. Discussion will be held on how to build effective two-way partnerships between engineering and earth systems science (e.g. what can engineering bring that would be useful to earth systems science, and what can earth systems science research bring which would be useful to engineering?)

Moderator: George Hornberger, Vanderbilt University

Anna Barros, Duke University; Jennifer Jacobs, University of New Hampshire 

Tom McKone, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

12:15 PM BREAK - 30 minutes

12:45 PM Session 2: Approaches to systems thinking: similarities and differences between the sciences and engineering
Goal: Delving deeper into systems as a way of thinking and approaching problems. This session will examine how systems thinking approaches may vary between systems thinking in engineering versus systems thinking in the natural and social sciences. There will be discussion on how to bridge gaps between these perspectives, and how to develop informed and inclusive systems views.

Moderator: Royce Francis, The George Washington University
Dustin Schroeder, Stanford University
Danielle Wood, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Wei-Ning Xiang, UNC Charlotte

1:45 PM BREAK - 30 minutes

2:15 PM Session 3: Lessons and opportunities for integrated engineering and earth systems science at scale
Goal: Exploring how to undertake and operationalize opportunities for larger projects connecting earth systems science and engineering. This session will draw on lessons learned from those who managed multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary projects at scale. There will be discussion of how institutions undertaking research connecting engineering and earth systems science can do so in a way that provides equitable opportunities, and is robust to an uncertain world.

Moderator: Costa Samaras, Carnegie Mellon University

Lila Abron, PEER Consultants, P.C.
Joshua Fu, The University of Tennessee Knoxville
Riley Duren, The University of Arizona

3:15 PM Closing remarks

3:30 PM Adjourn