About INSPIRE
Cultural Transformation in the Geosciences
INSPIRE is creating a novel educational and research ecosystem that showcases diverse career pathways that intersect the geosciences. Through coordinated action of mentoring and support, the program offers training, research experience and networking opportunities to multiple cohorts of individuals: Post-baccalaureate (Bridge to PhD) Scholars, early to mid career faculty (Visiting Fellows), and High School students and educators in New York City. The program aspires to increase the creativity, equity, relevance, and impact of geoscience research and education, both within the New York City metropolitan area and nationally.
Goals
The INSPIRE Program prioritizes engagement of communities through co-design of research, and is rooted in multi-directional listening and knowledge transfer. Through INSPIRE, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) geoscience research and education community, including its alumni, participate in coordinated mentoring and support, while providing connections and networking opportunities for program participants.
Approach
INSPIRE is deploying and scaling three key initiatives:
- A co-designed inclusive learning ecosystem that integrates faculty and students from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) with LDEO researchers to pursue geoscientific research, and engage in mentoring, professional development and networking activities.
- A framework for co-designing inclusive community-focused research and programs that address emerging geoscience problems rooted in community-partnerships and engagement with local New York City schools;
- An evidence-based social science component focused on the concept of ‘armoring’ historically marginalized people through self-affirmation intervention coupled with storytelling that highlights inspirational geoscience career pathways;