IAN develops new relationships in Shanghai, China

From November 17–24th, Heath Kelsey was invited to Shanghai, China by East China Normal University, to present work on a Future Earth Coasts project called, “Tour de Coasts,” which surveyed researchers and practitioners in the Future Earth Coasts network (and beyond) about global perceptions of sustainability issues, challenges, and definitions. The presentation was part of a mini-conference sharing research on heavily urbanized river deltas. Following the meeting, we explored opportunities to work together to convene multi and transdisciplinary teams to address broad goal-setting and assessment needs in these complex deltas. Research in these systems often focuses on modeling parameterization, calibration, and optimization, especially as it relates to sediment dynamics and geomorphology. As the USA International Program Office for Future Earth Coasts, IAN is being asked to codesign an approach for visioning, goal setting, and progress tracking to engage diverse stakeholder interests. Also, while in Shanghai, Heath was able to meet with the Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences (SAES). A team from SAES visited IAN in Annapolis in October; by happy coincidence, Heath was able to visit them in Shanghai the following month, to discuss opportunities for socio-environmental report cards in the Yangtze River estuary. Discussions are ongoing to further develop this relationship.

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