C2R2: Training Students To Build Coastal Resilience

Carrie Ferraro, Rutgers University New Brunswick, Math & Science Learning Center, New Brunswick, NJ, United States, Robert E Kopp, Rutgers University New Brunswick, Institute of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, United States, Rebecca Jordan, Rutgers University New Brunswick, Departments of Human Ecology & Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, New Brunswick, NJ, United States; Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States, Sally Bond, The Program Evaluation Group, LLC, Pittsboro, NC, United States, Lisa Marie Auermuller, Rutgers University, NJ Agricultural Experiment Station, New Brunswick, NJ, United States, Jeanne Herb, Rutgers University New Brunswick, Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, New Brunswick, NJ, United States, Jie Gong, Rutgers University New Brunswick, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, New Brunswick, NJ, United States, Clint Andrews, Rutgers University New Brunswick, School of Planning & Public Policy, New Brunswick, NJ, United States and Janice D McDonnell, Rutgers University New Brunswick, Department of Youth Development, New Brunswick, United States
Abstract:
Addressing risks posed by changing climate conditions in coastal areas demands innovative strategies that intersect multiple disciplines including engineering, ecology, communication, climate science, and community planning. To be usable, it also requires engaging coastal stakeholders in the development of research questions, the assessment of implications of research for planning and policy, and the communication of research results. Yet traditional, disciplinary programs are poorly configured to train the workforce needed to assess coastal climate risk and to develop and deploy integrated strategies for increasing coastal climate resilience. Coastal Climate Risk & Resilience (C2R2) is an NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) at Rutgers University working to prepare the workforce that will build coastal resilience in the face of climate risks. C2R2 trains graduate students from throughout the University who conduct research to better integrate all the elements of coastal systems and to communicate effectively with coastal stakeholders. In this talk, we will discuss the successes and challenges to implementing this transdisciplinary program at a large University as well as the benefits for the student and faculty participants from evaluation and student learning outcome data.
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