Harriot College and Integrated Coastal Programs Host First-Ever Collaborative Research Symposium

On Friday, March 31, Harriot College’s Department of Geography, Planning and Environment and the Integrated Coastal Programs’ Department of Coastal Studies, hosted a collaborative research symposium at the ECU Outer Banks Campus and Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, NC. During the seminar, students, faculty and post-doctoral scholars from geography, geological sciences, and coastal studies, shared their research, networked with peers, and identified opportunities for future cross-departmental collaboration.

“One of the main drivers behind this symposium was the recognition of the limited opportunities for faculty to share their research, despite some explicit similarities across departments,” said Dr. Eric Wade, co-coordinator of the symposium and assistant professor of coastal studies. “Thus, we created this symposium to reduce these barriers to collaboration.”

Dr. Rosana Nieto Ferreira, co-coordinator of the symposium and professor of atmospheric science in the department of geography, planning and environment, said, “Presentations focused on environmental issues important for our coastlines, ranging from climate dynamics and geomorphology to land use and ecological management and policy, habitat changes and resiliency, fisheries and health impacts.”

Both Nieto Ferreira and Wade agree that it is important for faculty and students across disciplines to share and collaborate on research and connect with their peers.

“Sharing research is one of the most crucial parts of our job as faculty. It enables us to update our community, generate ideas and develop new partnerships,” Wade said. “Without appropriate venues to create these opportunities, faculty and students may miss out on valuable connections.”

Collaborations take time, but the group involved in this symposium believes it will spark future interdisciplinary and cross-departmental research and help demystify the academic environment for students.

Nieto Ferreira said, “We hope that the new connections started by the symposium will result in new research projects and ultimately new collaborative external grant proposals.”

“We look forward to seeing the conversations initiated at this event evolve and continue,” Wade said.