Achievement

One of the features of the CHANGE-IGERT curriculum is its “professional skills” seminar. In this course Trainees and Associates discuss the application of different research methodologies to questions of environmental sustainability and vulnerability. For many of the natural science students, this is the first course they have taken that lets them practice qualitative research techniques (such as interviewing, participant observation, and focus group design). Social science CHANGE students are able to explain to their peers the appropriate use of these methodologies. Together the students explore how different methodological approaches illuminate different aspects of complex environmental problems. CHANGE encourages students to explore methodologies outside their discipline. Several Trainees and Associates have gone on to incorporate qualitative methodologies in to their dissertation research.