Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This proposed project responds to the AFRI program A1461 Environmental Justice to design a novel user-data-program interface platform via creative approaches and stakeholder engagement to assist government agencies seeking to understand the equity and distribution of both research investments and resulting science outcomes in AFRI priority areas (1) Plant health and production and plant products; (4) Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; (5) Agriculture systems and technology; and (6) Agriculture economic and rural communities. This is a four-year research project from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028. The long-term goal is to support government agencies to conduct reliable and consistent investment assessment responding to climate change, food and nutrition security, and workforce development in supporting underserved communities. The objectives are to: (1) Evaluate existing geospatial models and other models of investment streams as a direct measure of benefits from public research funding on underserved communities. (2) Elicit information on multiple dimensions of the implicit benefits from research investments on underserved communities. (3) Develop a novel approach that leverages and complements existing geospatial models for environmental justice. (4) Test, validate, and improve the platform for investment assessment on environmental justice. The innovative nature includes the integration of Bayesian Network and GeoSpatial Analysis using published data and stakeholders' input to measure implicit/explicit benefits linking to environmental justice. The expected outcome will support program leaders and policy makers to better assist underserved communities to engage in program opportunities. Other outputs include extension training, new course materials for students, and peer-reviewed publications.
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
40%
Applied
40%
Developmental
20%
Goals / Objectives
The long-term goal of the proposed project is to design novel approaches to map benefits from, and challenges to, publicly-funded programs in aggregate as they are perceived across scale of operations and type of population.The supporting objectives are to:Evaluate existing geospatial models and other models of investment streams as a direct measure of benefits from public research funding on underserved communities.Elicit information on multiple dimensions of the implicit benefits from research investments on underserved communities.Develop a novel approach that leverages and complements existing geospatial models for environmental justice.Test, validate, and improve the platform for investment assessment on environmental justice.
Project Methods
For Objective 1, we will use a SWOT approach to list the strength, weakness, opportunity, and limitations (SWOT) of various methods with respect to data collection, stakeholder involvement, target variables for impact assessment, and challenges and barriers to achieve goals for particular programs/investments for underserved communities. Using the information gathered from SWOT analysis. we will conduct a categorical content analysis using R/SAS computer software to generate/summarize characteristics of impact analysis associated with different approaches, programs, or types of investment corresponding to geographical distribution and population demographics.For Objective 2, we will (1) consult with the USDA NIFA National Program Leaders to identify 3-4 sample programs to focus on in our research (the time period of these sample programs for our research will be determined with the National Program Leaders), and (2) use a combination of secondary data and direct engagement with stakeholders in underserved communities (producers, families, extension agents, local government, grass-root organizations, etc.).For Objective 3, we will develop a novel approach via a user-data-program platform by integrating Bayesian Network Systems and GIS ESRI Geospatial Systems to leverage and complement existing models for evaluation of environmental justice.For Objective 4, we will confirm the performance of the proposed platform in consultation and collaboration with the National Program Leaders upon approval of the research, share the applications of the platform with other agencies if approved, teach students to apply the platform to conduct simulated investment analysis on environmental justice, and use the platform to show grassroot organizations and stakeholders how they could contribute to the discussion and development of environmental justice via public investment opportunities.