ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION #3:   (to prepare for February 20th)

TOPIC: Global change science “in practice,” research integrity and responsible conduct

1. ON BEING A SCIENTST -To prepare for our Feb 20th discussion on "how science operates, read On Being a Scientist.  Here's the link:

On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Research (3rd edition)
           National Academy of Sciences (2009)

As you are reading, think about what aspects of the article apply especially well to "Being a Global Change Scientist" (natural or social) and what aspects do not seem to apply as well. Read and reflect on each of the case studies (and the accompanying questions) so you are ready to engage in a discussion about them led by one of your fellow students.

2. CASE STUDY PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION - Choose two (2) of the 12 case studies to present as "discussion leader" by selecting them at this Doodle link.  First come, first pick!  Prepare a short (verbal) overview summary of the key issues in your selected case studies, plus some compelling questions or ideas that will stimulate  a rousing discussion about your case study. Suggestions: Play "devil's advocate" on the topic to "jump start" the discussion; ask around your department and/or question your friends on campus and elsewhere to learn about similar situations "first hand" which you can share (names changed of course!); reframe the case study in terms of a situation more likely to be played out in a global change research setting (Climategate anyone?) 

Read through the brief online profiles of the Committee on Global Change Faculty (link still being repaired.)   Until it is repaired, go to http://www.gidp.arizona.edu/node/51 which is the GIDP Office's official list of appointed Global Change Faculty.  Then, to see the brief profile of faculty you want to look up, go to  the Institute of the Environment's  (IE) Faculty Directory.   page: http://www.environment.arizona.edu/people/faculty/all

These are the faculty who can serve as committee members for your GC Minor.

Next select five GC Minor Faculty as possible candidates for you to interview.  At least 2 of these should be people who you do not already know and whose research areas do not overlap significantly with your own.  The others can be GC Minor Faculty who would be good for you to meet in order to advance your own research or career interests.  Some of the GC faculty are also featured under IE's Faculty Spotlight section.   We'll talk more about the details of these interviews in class on Feb 20th and decide who is going to interview who.

Be sure you read about our guest faculty presenter for Mar 5th, Dr. Malcolm Hughes while you are doing your reivew.

(Important Clarification: all GC Minor Faculty (Committee on Global Change) are also IE faculty, but not all IE faculty are GC Minor Faculty.  Some IE research faculty have opted not to join the academic/degree-granting roster of the Committee on Global Change Faculty -- others have just not yet sent in their paperwork to do so.)