Generating interesting research questions that could lay groundwork for proposals at the nexus of food, energy and water is the aim of the Feb. 10 NU FEWS Scoping Workshop. Space is limited for the event, which is designed specifically to engage UNL faculty.
The scoping workshop marks the second phase of this new campuswide initiative. The event is 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Drive. Registration is available online.
Throughout the fall, faculty from all nine UNL colleges met to learn about some of the research opportunities related to our food, energy and water systems. This initiative was developed in response to a new multi-agency focus area for federal funding — Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems, or INFEWS — led by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
UNL’s partner in NU FEWS, Knowinnovation, will facilitate discussion. Other nationally recognized speakers include Tom Armstrong, president, Madison River Group; Kathie Olsen, founder and managing director, ScienceWorks; and Ken Cassman, Robert B. Daughterty Professor of Agronomy.
The workshop concludes with a faculty vote on the most interesting research questions generated during the day. The results will serve as the basis for “jumpstart” events, the third phase of NUFEWS to think about novel solutions for complex challenges. Jumpstart will be scheduled near the end of the spring semester.
The Office of Research and Economic Development launched the NUFEWS initiative in collaboration with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Sciences, and Engineering.
For more information, contact Nathan Meier, director of research strategy, at nlm@unl.edu or 402-472-3902.
