Open Course: “Climate, Environment and Health for the Americas - Mobilizing transdisciplinary knowledge and training for policy action”

 

INTRODUCTION:

The region of the Americas needs to strengthen the capacity of public sector actors to address and adapt to environmental determinants of health (EDHs), prioritizing populations living in conditions of vulnerability. An integrated and evidence-informed approach within the health sector and in partnership with other key sectors such as climate, environment, and disaster risk management, is essential to addressing and adapting to the challenges of EDHs in the Region. Implementation of solutions must be context-specific, based on the needs and realities of countries, and should encourage coordination, leadership, and communication.

A transdisciplinary (TD) approach expects stakeholders, including decision- and policy-makers, implementers, communities affected by policies, and practitioners, to work together with researchers in collaborative and iterative co-development processes at the interface of science and policy. TD research projects are problem-driven and solution-oriented, integrating knowledge, tools, and ways of thinking from multiple disciplines and actors from the public and private sectors. Stakeholders are included from the initial project framing stage and throughout the project life cycle in an equitable and ethical co-creation process.

Science-policy projects at the nexus of Climate, Environment and Health (CEH) can have broad societal framework and measurable societal benefits; their focus can range from vulnerability and resilience to reduce the risks of natural and anthropogenic hazards, to pollution, food/water security and quality, chronic and emergent diseases related to global change, and adaptation and mitigation actions in different socio-economic and environmental sectors to improve wellbeing (https://www.iai.int/pdf/en/Strategicplan-en.pdf).

MAIN OBJECTIVE:

This training initiative aims to enhance the capacity of professionals and institutions across the Americas to address challenges at the intersection of climate, environment and health through a transdisciplinary approach. Participants will develop skills in communication and engagement with diverse stakeholders, with a focus on the science-policy interface and the genuine participation of communities.  The overarching goal is to contribute to the development and implementation of more effective public policies that address the most critical national, regional and global public health priorities.

 

Session 1: Introducing Transdisciplinary Research Approaches

Dr. Lily House-Peters, Associate Professor, Department of Geography

Dr. Gabriela Alonso Yanez, Ph.D., Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary

Marshalee Valentine, MSc, BTech, Jamaican Women in Coffee/IWCA Jamaica

Dr. Anna Stewart-Ibarra, Scientific Director, Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI)

 Video Recording  |  Slide Deck  |  Case Study 

 

 

Master Class 1: Challenges of and solutions for science communication

Juan Manuel Sarasua, biologist and scientific journalist

Video Recording  |  Slide Deck 

 

Week 1 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings  

 

TD Session 2: Doing Transdisciplinary Research

Dr. Lily House-Peters, Associate Professor, Department of Geography

Dr. Gabriela Alonso Yanez, Ph.D., Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary

Marshalee Valentine, MSc, BTech, Jamaican Women in Coffee/IWCA Jamaica

Dr. Mercy Borbor-Córdova, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral

Video Recording  |  Slide Deck  |  Case Study 

 

Workshop 2: Quick guide to writing for a broad audience

Angelo Attanasio, Journalist, Latinoamérica21 editor

Video Recording  |  Slide Deck

 

 

Week 2 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings  

 

Session 3: Designing & Implementing Transdisciplinary Research Approaches 

Dr. Lily House-Peters, Associate Professor, Department of Geography

Dr. Gabriela Alonso Yanez, Ph.D., Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary

Marshalee Valentine, MSc, BTech, Jamaican Women in Coffee/IWCA Jamaica

Dr. Martin Garcia, Ph.D., Lecturer, Massey University

Dr. Gilma Mantilla, Pontifical Javeriana University

Video Recording  |  Slide Deck  |  Case Study 

 

Workshop 3: Telling stories through data 

Marcelo Rensi, Freelance AI Designer

Video Recording 

 

 

Week 3 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings

 

Session 4: Managing Transdisciplinary Teamwork 

Dr. Lily House-Peters, Associate Professor, Department of Geography

Dr. Gabriela Alonso Yanez, Ph.D., Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary

Dr. Martin Garcia, Ph.D., Lecturer, Massey University

Dr. Stella Hartinger, Cayetano Heredia University; Comprehensive Development, Environment and Health Unit

Video Recording  |  Slide Deck  |  Case Study 

 

Workshop 4: How to explain science to a broad audience 

Ana Pais, Senior Digital Editor, Radio Ambulante

Video Recording Slide Deck 

 

Week 4 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings 

Session 5: Transdisciplinary Grant Writing, Assessment & Evaluation

Dr. Lily House-Peters, Associate Professor, Department of Geography

Dr. Gabriela Alonso Yanez, Ph.D., Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary

Marshalee Valentine, MSc, BTech, Jamaican Women in Coffee/IWCA Jamaica

Dr. Nicole Arbour, Belmont Forum Executive Director

Video RecordingSlide Deck  |  Case Study 

 

Workshop 5: How is a public policy designed and how can I become a better advocate?

Pamela Poo, Political Scientist UDEC

Video Recording  |  Slide Deck  

 

Week 5 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings

 

Contact e-mail: iai_science@dir.iai.in

 

PARTNERS: