Rural Futures Institute Water for Food Institute to host Transdisciplinary Conversations Sept 15

Innovation occurs at the intersections. To spur innovation, the University of Nebraska’s Rural Futures Institute and Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute are teaming up to host the next “Transdisciplinary Conversations” event.

This event will take place on Sept.15 from 4:30-6 p.m. at the University of Nebraska at Kearney Alumni House (2222 9th Ave.) on the UNK campus. It is free and open to the public. Light food and drinks will be served. Please register by Sept. 11 to reserve a spot: http://ruralfutures.nebraska.edu/event.php?eventID=1683.

This informal event series is designed to spur new directions in transdisciplinary research and collaboration.

University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds will deliver opening remarks. Following the president’s remarks, Todd Bartee, UNK professor of exercise science, will discuss how intersections between different disciplines have transformed the way he works and teaches. Networking opportunities will follow Bartee’s remarks.

“In order to address the complex challenges that rural people and places face, we must think big and combine great thinkers from all disciplines to help us uncover new approaches that will lead individuals to their desired futures,” said Chuck Schroeder, executive director of the Rural Futures Institute at the University of Nebraska.

These transdisciplinary discussions bring together scientists, students, extension educators, business leaders, policymakers, farmers and others, allowing them to gather informally and make cross-disciplinary connections they might not otherwise make.

The University of Nebraska has invested in four interdisciplinary, university-wide institutes – including the Rural Futures Institute and the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute – that leverage talent and research-based expertise from across the University of Nebraska to focus on complex state, national, and global challenges.

Through a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, the Rural Futures Institute mobilizes the diverse resources of the University of Nebraska and its partners to support rural communities and regions in building upon their unique strengths and assets to achieve their desired futures. Learn more at: http://ruralfutures.nebraska.edu/.

The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska was founded in 2010 to address the global challenge of achieving food security with less pressure on water resources through improved management of water in agricultural and food systems. We are committed to ensuring a water and food secure world without compromising the use of water for other human and environmental needs. Learn more at: http://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/.