Research
Applying W&M's interdisciplinary expertise to conservation needs
Tackling complex conservation challenges requires that we bring together a diverse community that blends expertise from across disciplines, sectors, and knowledge systems to advance integrative biodiversity conservation solutions.
The IIC bridges the research-action gap in conservation by bringing together W&M students, faculty, and external partners to conduct applied, integrative research needed to advance conservation outcomes.
Through collaboration on applied research, we aim to build long term partnerships with faculty and conservation partners to advance innovative solutions that balance biodiversity conservation and human well-being.
We cultivate focused collaborations with conservation partners, through which students explore the transformative innovations that occur when people from different disciplines and perspectives work together. The research experience allows students to apply their classroom learning to problem solving real biodiversity conservation challenges.
The primary objectives of IIC research are:
- To increase capacity of conservation partners by supporting applied biodiversity research and solution development
- To develop and nurture W&M students and emerging conservationists around the world as the next generation of conservation leaders
We offer several types of applied research opportunities for W&M students, W&M faculty and conservation partners to engage in. These include year-long or semester long research projects and projects advanced our Conservation Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab.
Our research opportunities are open to W&M faculty of any discipline and to W&M undergraduate students regardless of major. We welcome engagement from W&M students, faculty and existing or potential conservation partners.
An IIC Research Experience
{{youtube:medium|qYv_NTFUNX4,IIC students Bibiana Mirones and Jordan Bryant highlight their work on development of vegetation analysis tools for local communities in natural areas. This project will provide an opportunity to test the tools in collaboration with communities as part of the process to strengthen and adoption of this methodology, as a useful learning resource at the community level. Video by Bibiana Mirones and Jordan Bryant Conservation Partners: Community of San Pablo Oztotepec, Milpa Alta and the Faculty of Sciences of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Faculty Mentors: Dr. Fernando Galeana-Rodriguez and Dr. Martha Case.}}
