Students Becoming Scientists in the World: Integrating Research and Education for Sustainable Development Dr. James P. Collins Directorate for the Biological Sciences National Science Foundation UNU/UNESCO International Conference: Globalization August 2006

Outline What is 21 st Century Science? How do we foster 21 st Century Science within NSF?  Research Education

21 st Century Science Multidisciplinary Multidimensional Information-driven Education-oriented Internationally engaged

“Domestic and international collaborations are expanding in response to the complexities of new scientific fields, the growing scale and scope of scientific initiatives, new capabilities provided by advances in information and communications technologies, professional ties established during study or work abroad, and explicit government policies and incentives.” Source: National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators st Century Science

“… the 21st century is going to see a cohesion of the sciences and disappearance of their borders.” - David Baltimore Integrating research and education projects, programs, and networks to create constellations of scholars …stimulating innovation.

Solving the innovator’s dilemma CompetencyInnovations Biological Sciences Computer Science and Engineering Mathematical and Physical Sciences Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Geological Sciences International S&E Education and Human Resources Sustainability science Complex systems Informatics Genomics/proteomics Capacity building Integrating formal and practical knowledge ?

Basic Research & Education Service to Society Broadening Access Education Physical Operations & Infrastructure Research & Scholarship Policy, Planning, & Administration Development & Training Assessment & Reporting Networking & Partnerships Strategies for Change Community Embeddedness Knowledge Sharing & Product Development Solution Options From understanding to application… …from disciplines to transformative research & education.

Foster transformative research & education How do we foster these ideas and values within NSF?

Distinctive Features of NSF Emphasis on integrating research and education Close interaction with universities Rotator system: about 200 Program directors are on loan from universities, labs or industry Reviews are advisory; 400 Ph.D. Program Directors make funding decisions

How do we foster 21 st Century Science within NSF? One of NSF’s long term investment priorities is to foster research that focuses on living sustainability on the Earth. We are committed to supporting the development of a globally-engaged scientific and technological workforce that will be prepared to succeed in a global knowledge economy. We do this by using complementary approaches to integrate research within education programs and education within research programs. Research Education

Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program

International Research Experiences for Students: Pan American Advanced Study Institutes

Cyberinfrastructure and Collaborative Networks: Transforming the way we teach nanoHUB

Developing Country Collaborations in Plant Genome Research: Building a Global Network of Scientific Excellence The long-term goal is a greater and sustained engagement of US scientists with developing countries Two way interactions (equal partnership) required 15 projects supported in 10 countries since FY 2004 (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka) Research focus is on issues of local interest such as biotic and abiotic stress, and on local crops such as oil seed Brassica, rice, and chick peas.

Ecology of Infectious Diseases NSF-NIH program supporting the development of predictive models and discovery of principles for relationships between anthropogenic environmental change and transmission of infectious agents.

Supporting the development of collaborative relationships between U.S. institutions and international organizations: Partnerships for International Research and Education

Conclusion Advancing knowledge in the 21st century will require more flexible models that incorporate interdisciplinarity, dynamic global networks of people, and information technology that enables intellectual mobility. New paradigms in science and technology education are needed that not only impart the necessary skills and knowledge base to succeed, but also an appreciation for the international and interdisciplinary context within which science and technology operate. A key strategy used by National Science Foundation to further these goals is to promote the integration of research and education in funded projects, many of which support research on questions of broad international concern.