MSU Listserv

From: "Triezenberg, Heather" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Date: Friday, October 7, 2016 at 4:25 PM
To: "Triezenberg, Heather" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: Graduate research opportunity: Telecoupling and Great Lakes

Dear Colleagues, please distribute the opportunity.  Thank you. Heather

Project title: Sustainability of the Great Lakes Region in a Telecoupled World

Description: What happens in the Great Lakes Region affects Great Lakes communities and beyond. What happens in the rest of the world also has the potential to affect the Great Lakes Region and its communities.Understanding the complex relationships between the Great Lakes Region and the rest of the world can benefit fromthe integrated framework of telecoupling (socioeconomic and environmental interactions over distances, www.telecoupling.org<http://www.telecoupling.org>). This umbrella framework can help natural and social scientists, as well as policy makers, analyze complex dynamics of telecoupled human and natural systems, such as sending, receiving, and spillover systems, as well as interaction effects and develop policy options addressing sustainability. Research associated with this framework can produce information about the human and natural system connections and likely impacts of the telecoupled world. Results from this research approach can point to areas where policies are needed to achieve sustainability, and how Extension educators help clarify policy options, serving as honest brokers of policy alternatives and key sources of information flows for sustainability within a telecoupled.

Objectives for this research are to:

1.     Conduct case study analyses of telecouplings between the Great Lakes Region and the rest of the world;

2.     Identify roles, functions, and networks for Extension educators as information agents and honest brokers at local to global scales within a telecoupled system; and

3.     Identify goals, develop, pilot test, and evaluate a prototype stakeholder engagement/information flow model related to sustainability of the Great Lakes Region using the telecoupling framework.


This project will be developed in collaboration with Dr. Jianguo (Jack) Liu, Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability and University Distinguished Professor in Fisheries and Wildlife, Director of the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Michigan State University.

A M.S. or PhD graduate opportunity in the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability within the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University is anticipated to start Fall 2017. The selected applicant will be expected to fulfill all Department and University requirements for a graduate degree in a timely manner; conduct original applied research; participate in the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department and University activities; and collaborate with Michigan Sea Grant and MSU Extension.

We will jointly explore funding with NSF and NASA Fellowships, as well as funding with USDA-NIFA, Sea Grant, and Extension

Qualifications and Application Instructions: Competitive applicants will be highly motivated and independent; have some experience with fisheries, wildlife, or coastal resources management (social or ecological science); have statistical background; be willing to work collaboratively with Michigan Sea Grant Extension and its stakeholders; and be willing to engage with the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Fisheries and Wildlife Department, MSU Extension, and the University. Preference will be given to applicants who have research experience and who have an interest in outreach and Extension. Interested individuals should email Dr. Heather Triezenberg as soon as possible. Please provide the following materials: 1) cover letter describing general research interests and specific experiences; 2) brief statement of professionals goals; 3) resume; 4) transcripts (unofficial ok initially); and 6) list of three references with contact information (email, phone, address); and 6) GRE scores and TOEFL scores (for international students whose native language is not English) (unofficial ok initially), if available.  Although applications will be accepted until the position is filled, pre-screening of applications will begin immediately

Michigan State University<https://www.msu.edu> (MSU) has been transforming lives through its innovative teaching, research, and outreach for more than 150 years. The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife<http://www.fw.msu.edu> at MSU has been providing education, research, and outreach needed by society for the conservation and rehabilitation of fish and wildlife resources and their ecosystems for more than 60 years. The Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability’s<http://csis.msu.edu> mission is to maintain a center of excellence that integrates ecology with socioeconomics, demography, and other disciplines for ecological sustainability from local, national, to global scales.MSU Extension<http://msue.anr.msu.edu> has been applying research from MSU to help Michigan residents solve everyday problems for more than 100 years. Michigan Sea Grant<http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu> has been helping foster economic growth and protection of Michigan’s coastal and Great Lakes resources through education, research, and outreach for more than 30 years.

Please direct correspondence to:
Heather A. Triezenberg, Ph.D.
Extension Specialist and Program Leader
Michigan Sea Grant Extension Program
Michigan State University, Manly Miles Building
1405 S. Harrison Road, Room 305
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: 517-353-5508
Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

MSU Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.