Increasing capacity for data-intensive research in environmental biology

This workshop will convene leaders in environmental biology research and education to collectively design a way forward for the scientific community to broadly improve skills necessary for data-intensive science. In August 2013, a steering committee of 6 individuals will caucus remotely to produce a list of 20 invitees, and draft an agenda and manuscript outline. In January 2014, approximately 20 individuals will meet for 2 days at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) to identify current inadequacies in training at all career stages, and both the short-term and long-term opportunities to address these deficiencies. The steering committee will remain for an additional 2 days to draft a manuscript targeted to BioScience and pursue other opportunities for dissemination and building partnerships. We will produce a concrete set of recommendations that target 1) universities, research centers and other employers of scientists, 2) prospective funders, and 3) relevant policymakers. Further we anticipate that the workshop will mobilize a network of like-minded advocates for data-intensive research training to raise awareness, and collaboratively lead future activities that raise the level of computing literacy in the environmental biology workforce.