Source: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
EXPLORING TRANSDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND HUMAN VALUES SOCIETY AND THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1030016
Grant No.
2023-67023-40082
Cumulative Award Amt.
$49,882.00
Proposal No.
2022-11744
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 15, 2023
Project End Date
Jun 14, 2025
Grant Year
2023
Program Code
[A1642]- AFRI Foundational - Social Implications of Emerging Technologies
Project Director
Dentzman, K.
Recipient Organization
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
2229 Lincoln Way
AMES,IA 50011
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The long-term goal of this conference project is to encourage and facilitate transdisciplinary learning and exchange between the Entomological Society of America - North Central Branch (ESA-NCB), and the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society (AFHVS) while simultaneously developing a best-practices guide for transdisciplinary collaborations between professional societies. ESA-NCB and AFHVS are distinct, as well as complementary, organizations. In particular, while both organizations use different approaches to study agriculture, both are aimed at improving food systems from an interdisciplinary perspective. For instance, ESA-NCB covers the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and individuals in related disciplines, largely from natural and biophysical sciences. AFHVS's mission is to provide an international forum to engage in the cross-disciplinary study of food, agriculture, and health, as well as an opportunity for examining the values that underlie various visions of food and agricultural systems. Together, we aim to improve food systems and agriculture scholarship by using the collective knowledge base of ESA-NCB and AFHVS to address wicked problems, especially those associated with entomology in agri-food systems.Our supporting objectives include:Creating a venue for sharing articles and research between the membership of the two societiesConducting a series of virtual workshops leading up to the societies' two separate conferences to build trust, grow collaborative relationships, and learn about perspectives, jargon, scientific theories, topics, and common lensesDeveloping two mini-conferences (one for AFHVS members at the the ESA-NCB annual conference and one for ESA-NCB members at the AFHVS annual conference) to:Develop a best-practices guide for future transdisciplinary collaborations between professional societiesFacilitate learning about relevant topical issues, theories, and methodologies by breaking down common disciplinary silosEncourage collaborations between members of each societyDevelop specific objectives and approaches for future collaboration between the two societiesRelevant project activities to support these objectives could include, but are not necessarily limited to:Identifying and managing a virtual platform for article and research sharing, informal online communication between society members, and pre-conference virtual workshops (preliminary ideas include Google Drive, DropBox, Microsoft Teams, Basecamp, etc.)Researching specific strategies and training activities to build trust and grow collaborative relationships (preliminary resources include Armstrong & Jackson-Smith 2013; Bennet & Gadlin 2012; Dentzman et al. 2020; Eigenbrode et al. 2017; Levi & Askay 2020; Mazer et al. 2020)Conducting virtual pre-conference workshopsDeveloping mini-conferences collaboratively with input from the membership of both societies and conducting in-conference workshops and activities relevant to building a community of practice (i.e., a group sharing common concerns and interests while working collaboratively to develop best practices and new knowledge to address these).Identifying and promoting a mechanism to encourage communication and collaboration beyond the project period (preliminary ideas include Google Drive, DropBox, Microsoft Teams, Basecamp, etc.)Working with membership from both societies to assess the effectiveness of the overall process (i.e., Armstrong & Jackson Smith 2013) and develop/promote a best practices guide for future transdisciplinary collaboration between professional societies (possible publication avenues include Choices, Agriculture and Human Values, and American Entomologist)Developing and submitting 2-3 peer-reviewed publications that describe and analyze our process of transdisciplinary collaboration across the two societies.
Animal Health Component
33%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
34%
Applied
33%
Developmental
33%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
21660993080100%
Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3080 - Sociology;
Goals / Objectives
The long-term goal of this conference project is to encourage and facilitate transdisciplinary learning and exchange between the Entomological Society of America - North Central Branch (ESA-NCB), and the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society (AFHVS) while simultaneously developing a best-practices guide for transdisciplinary collaborations between professional societies. ESA-NCB and AFHVS are distinct, as well as complementary, organizations. In particular, while both organizations use different approaches to study agriculture, both are aimed at improving food systems from an interdisciplinary perspective. For instance, ESA-NCB covers the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and individuals in related disciplines, largely from natural and biophysical sciences. AFHVS's mission is to provide an international forum to engage in the cross-disciplinary study of food, agriculture, and health, as well as an opportunity for examining the values that underlie various visions of food and agricultural systems. Together, we aim to improve food systems and agriculture scholarship by using the collective knowledge base of ESA-NCB and AFHVS to address wicked problems, especially those associated with entomology in agri-food systems.Our supporting objectives include:Creating a venue for sharing articles and research between the membership of the two societiesConducting a series of virtual workshops leading up to the societies' two separate conferences to build trust, grow collaborative relationships, and learn about perspectives, jargon, scientific theories, topics, and common lensesDeveloping two mini-conferences (one for AFHVS members at the ESA-NCB annual conference and one for ESA-NCB members at the AFHVS annual conference) to:Develop a best-practices guide for future transdisciplinary collaborations between professional societiesFacilitate learning about relevant topical issues, theories, and methodologies by breaking down common disciplinary silosEncourage collaborations between members of each societyDevelop specific objectives and approaches for future collaboration between the two societies
Project Methods
Our proposed agenda is subject to development and change, particularly given the project objective of collecting and evaluating research on transdisciplinary team-building activities. However, we outline an initial draft of agenda activities below. The 2024 AFHVS activities, in particular, are subject to change given lessons learned at the 2023 meeting.2023 ESA-NCB Lead-UpCreate a venue for sharing articles and research between the membership of the two societiesVirtual "Getting to Know ESA" WorkshopVirtual "Transdisciplinary Learning" WorkshopVirtual "Deep Dive Topics" Workshop2023 ESA-NCB ConferenceHalf-Day Transdisciplinary Collaboration WorkshopIntroductions and Trust-Building ActivityVideo Activity: Share observations, reflect on paradigms/training and impact on what we observeWhat is "Transdisciplinary"?: Participatory definition creationWhy be Transdisciplinary?: Interactive discussionHow to be TransdisciplinaryWhat not to doParticipant experience sharingMini-lecture and group activityWhat to doParticipant experience sharingMini-lecture and group activityBreakSpecific Strategy WorkshopsParticipants divide into working groups to discuss and report on specific transdisciplinary teamwork strategiesPresentation: Transdisciplinary Funding OpportunitiesLooking ForwardNeeds and Challenges Identification and DiscussionBest Practices IdentificationDeveloping and Sharing Commitments and GoalsGroup and Individual Reflections2023 ESA-NCB Symposium "Understanding Values Shared Across Transdisciplinary Societies to Advance Collaboration and Impact Future Outcomes" (3.5 hours)Introduction & Overview: "Why" are these approaches important?An entomological perspective (NCB ESA member) - A member shares their work along with their philosophy on the science of entomology and why this collaboration is so important (15 minutes)An entomological perspective (SWB ESA member) - A member shares their work along with their philosophy on the science of entomology and why this collaboration is so important (15 minutes)A social scientist perspective (AFHVS member) - A member shares their work along with their philosophy on social science and why this collaboration is so important (15 minutes)Transdisciplinary approaches workshop - "How" can we collaborate?Social Perception Exercise (short video or exercise used during workshop followed by questions to access perceptions by entomologists and social scientists (5-10 minutes)AFHVS & ESA collaboration workshop - goals, objectives, & process (AFHVS member) (15 minutes)AFHVS & ESA collaboration workshop - goals, objectives, & process (ESA member) (15 minutes)Student/ECP (Early Career Professional) response to workshop (15 minutes)BREAKStrategies on doing this type of workIntegrating social science and entomology - ResearchEntomology strategies (ESA member - 12 minutes)Social science strategies (AFHVS member - 12 minutes)Integrating social science and entomology - ExtensionEntomologist strategies (ESA member - 12 minutes)Social science strategies (AFHVS member - 12 minutes)Integrating social science and entomology through economics (Ag economist) - (12 minutes)Integrating social science and entomology using cognitive analytics - (12 minutes)Integrating social science and entomology to improve communication, advocacy, and influence policy - (12 minutes)Panel on transdisciplinary workshop and strategies for societies (45 minutes)2024 AFHVS Lead-UpVirtual "Getting to Know AFHVS" WorkshopVirtual "Transdisciplinary Collaboration: Lessons Learned and Paths Forward" WorkshopVirtual "Deep Dive Topics" Workshop2024 AFHVS ConferenceHalf-Day Transdisciplinary Collaboration Workshop?Introductions and Trust-Building ActivitySummary of 2023 ESA-NCB WorkshopUpdates on outcomes and ongoing workVideo activity: Share observations, reflect on paradigms/training and impact on what we observe (any differences from 2023?)What is "Transdisciplinary"??Refinement of definitionsWhy be Transdisciplinary?Interactive discussionHow to be TransdisciplinaryWhat not to doParticipant experience sharingMini-lecture and group activityWhat to doParticipant experience sharingMini-lecture and group activityBreakSpecific Strategy WorkshopsParticipants divide into working groups to discuss and report on one specific transdisciplinary teamwork strategyPresentation: Transdisciplinary Funding OpportunitiesLooking ForwardNeed and Challenge Identification and DiscussionBest Practices IdentificationDeveloping and Sharing Commitments and GoalsGroup and Individual ReflectionsSymposium with Research Presentations from AttendeesBrief Intro/Background (5 min): Clint PilcherBrief intro/Get to Know The Symposium Speakers: Katie Dentzman20 minutes - Nonprofessional titles leading to shared values across topicsIntegrating Social Science and Entomology: ResearchCo-presentation with one AFHVS and one ESA-NCB memberQ&A/DiscussionIntegrating Social Science and Entomology: ExtensionCo-presentation with one AFHVS and one ESA-NCB memberQ&A/DiscussionIntegrating Social Science and Entomology: TeachingCo-presentation with one AFHVS and one ESA-NCB memberQ&A/DiscussionBreakTransdisciplinary Research/Extension Opportunities for Early Career Professionals/Graduate StudentsIncluding Overview of Relevant Funding OpportunitiesInteractive Q&A/Panel Discussion on Lessons Learned, Emergent ThemesGroup and Individual ReflectionsSocial Hour

Progress 06/15/23 to 06/14/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences of this project included professionals and students within the realms of social science and entomology. We particularly targeted members the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society (AFHVS)and the Entomological Society of America (ESA), as well as attendees at the annual meetings of ESA in 2023 and AFHVS in 2024. This included academics at every level from undergraduates to emeritus professors, as well as other professionals in industry, government, public service, and other roles. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Our project provided significant opportunities for training and professional development, including pre-conference webinars, workshops, presentations, networking, collaborator finding initiatives, and overall learning experiences related to transdisciplinary collaboration. These opportunities were especially meaningful for the four graduate students funded to participate in conference events, but were also highly impactful for the 12 social scientists and entomologist funded to participate, which included a range of early career academics, full professors, and industry partners. In addition to this direct support, conference and pre-conference activities were open and widely advertised to the membership of both AFHVS and ESA, including a wide range of career levels and academic/professional tracks. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been discussed among the Boards of each Society (all thre Co-PI's are Board members) at annual and business meetings. Key results have been condensed into a pan-society collaborations best practices guide, which will be distributed to the Boards and membership of both societies as well as being made publicly available, ideally through a publication in a journal such as Choices. Video recordings of pre-conference webinars have been posted publicly on each society's webpage. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue working on publications, attend the National Entomological Society of America meeting.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1 We created a Microsoft Teams group for sharing articles and research between interested collaborators, populating it with relevant articles, presentations, and videos from each contributor. Objective 2 We conducted 2 virtual pre-conference workshops, with approximately 12 attendees each. These attendees included people from each society who were attending the conferences. Attendees also included scholars who are actively engaged in entomology and/or agricultural social science who were unable to attend conferences. These workshops focused on learning about the history, mission, and structure of each society as well as common perspectives, jargon, scientific theories, topics, and lenses used among participating disciplines. These workshops were recorded and made available to the memberships of both societies. Respondents reported that these workshops were valuable precursors to attending each society's meeting, preparing them for the types of research and participants they would engage with. Objective 3 We developed and held two 'mini-conferences' as described in the grant proposal, one with the ESA North Central Branch annual meeting in 2023 in Oklahoma City and one with the AFHVS annual meeting in 2024 in Syracuse. The ESA Mini-Conference Funded attendance of an AFHVS 'delegation' of 5 social scientists and 2 graduate students Held pre-conference workshop "Wicked Problems Associated with Entomology in Agrifood Systems"; 15 attendees including 5 social scientists and 10 entomologists. Included presentations and interactive activities on: introductions and trust-building, video activity, what is transdisciplinary research, why be transdisciplinary, how to be transdisciplinary (what to do and what not to do), specific strategy workshops, transdisciplinary funding opportunities, team building, intention setting, and group/individual reflections. Held ESA symposium "Understanding Values Shared Across Transdisciplinary Societies to Advance Collaboration and Impact Future Outcomes" with presentations from 5 social scientists and 5 entomologists; 70 attendees. The AFHVS Mini-Conference Funded attendance of an ESA 'delegation' of 7 entomologists and 2 graduate students Hired preeminent edible insect chef Joseph Yoon of Brooklyn Bugs to hold a pre-conference kitchen demonstration ("Edible Insects: Exploring the Taste and Potential of Eating Bugs with Chef Joseph Yoon"; 50 attendees), provide insect-based appetizers at the opening banquet and mid-conference snacks to over 500 conference attendees, and participate fully in conference activities. Held pre-conference workshop, facilitated and attended by entomologists and social scientists. Activities included introductions, overview of grand challenges in entomology, neonicotinoids example and activity, distribution of neonics factsheet, identification of transdisciplinary benefits, barriers, solutions, and best practices, entomology-themed gift bags, Bess beetle interactive break, themes for collaborative approaches, and action items for the future. Facilitated "Insect-Human Interactions" panel of experts working at the nexus of human and insect related agricultural research, including Katherine Dentzman, Esteli Jimenez-Soto, Mackenzie Feldman, and Elizabeth Olson. 24 attendees. All 7 entomologists attending submitted and presented research papers that were integrated into the larger conference program (titles included: Designing for Implementation: Community Adoption of Resistance Management;Intercultural and Transdisciplinary Intersections Within an Indigenous Youth Food Sovereignty Extension Program: An Entomologist's Perspective;Social and economic considerations of classical weed biological control in agricultural systems; Extension is a two-way road and farming is a highway;andProtecting agricultural workers from vectorborne disease. All 7 entomologists participated fully in all conference events and activities, going to talks, participating in mentorship events, attending symposia, awards banquets, and keynote speakers. Objective 4 Developed best practices guide for future transdisciplinary collaboration based on experiences and participant feedback Research team received IRB-approval from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to collect feedback from attendees at both conferences to identify lessons learned, challenges, and possible future directions for research. Objective 5 Significantly reduced disciplinary silos through above stated activities; participants reported coming away with a much deeper understanding of the variability of perspectives within the social sciences and entomology, as well as a better understanding of relevant perspectives, theories, and methods. (ex. entomologists discussed learning the term 'intersectional' at the AFHVS conference and what that meant to them) Objective 6 Various participants intend to collaborate on future projects, including submission of articles to a special Human-Insect Interactions issue in the journal Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. Ideas and plans for ongoing trans-society collaborations include maintaining the Teams group, creating cross-society memberships, continuing a delegation attendance approach, and more. Objective 7 As stated above, we have brainstormed and identified/prioritized specific objectives and approaches for future collaborations between the two societies. One popular idea was to create dual memberships, where membership in one society offers free commensurate membership in the other, with the intention that this will facilitate increased involvement in webinars, professional development opportunities, and conference attendance. Collaborative publicationsalso emerged as a goal, including several specific intentions including an opinion piece on best practices for pan-society collaborations. Several participants are currently participating on USDA-funded transdisciplinary projects involving entomologists and social scientists; plans to attend each other's conferences, co-author papers, and--importantly--witness and be involved in each other's research and data collection processes emerged as important.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2024 Citation: Dentzman, K., Erwin, A., & Pilcher, C. Pan-Society Collaborations Best Practices Guide.