Developing leaders to tackle wicked problems at the nexus of food, energy, and water systems

Alisa A Wade; Amina Grant; Seigi Karasaki; Rachel Smoak; David Cwiertny; Andrew C Wilcox; Laurie Yung; Kristin Sleeper; Aavudai Anandhi

doi:10.1525/elementa.407

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Developing leaders to tackle wicked problems at the nexus of food, energy, and water systems

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Developing leaders to tackle wicked problems at the nexus of food, energy, and water systems

Alisa A Wade, Amina Grant, Seigi Karasaki, Rachel Smoak, David Cwiertny, Andrew C Wilcox, Laurie Yung, Kristin Sleeper and Aavudai Anandhi

Elementa (Washington, D.C.), Vol.8(1), 11

03/13/2020

DOI: 10.1525/elementa.407

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https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.407View

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Abstract

The multiscale, complex challenges at the nexus of food, energy, and water systems (FEWS) demand approaches to graduate education beyond traditional disciplinary training. Here, we present a vision for training FEWS leaders developed by faculty and students from interdisciplinary graduate training programs focused on the FEWS nexus. We discuss the imperative to create interdisciplinary, next-generation FEWS leaders and the core skills and proficiencies such leaders need: employ systems thinking, thrive in interdisciplinary teams, communicate effectively, and engage diverse stakeholders and communities. These skills will prepare students to connect science to innovative, actionable solutions and to successfully lead across a variety of careers. Graduate training that integrates these approaches must, on the one hand, overcome structural, cultural, and financial barriers in higher education, but on the other hand, will help develop a community of practice capable of developing sustainable solutions for the FEWS nexus and other vexing environmental challenges.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Developing leaders to tackle wicked problems at the nexus of food, energy, and water systems
Creators: Alisa A Wade
Amina Grant
Seigi Karasaki
Rachel Smoak
David Cwiertny
Andrew C Wilcox
Laurie Yung
Kristin Sleeper
Aavudai Anandhi
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Elementa (Washington, D.C.), Vol.8(1), 11
DOI: 10.1525/elementa.407
ISSN: 2325-1026
eISSN: 2325-1026
Language: English
Date published: 03/13/2020
Academic Unit: Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Public Policy Center (Archive); Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Record Identifier: 9983992002302771

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