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RESEARCH:
Climate and Plants Case Study
Five research teams spread across ten universities collaborated to make Missouri’s agriculture and communities more resilient in the face of a changing environment.
THE CHALLENGE
Over 50 researchers worked together to understand how climate trends affect agriculture, to identify genes that help crops respond to climate variability, and to help communities become resilient and respond to variations in the climate.
Climate scientists collected weather data using a newly-installed radar in central Missouri. Plant scientists used drones and field robots to monitor plant trials and high-powered software to do identify favorable genes in crop plants. Computer scientists built cyber infrastructure to organize big data from research. Social scientists studied communities’ resilience to extreme weather. An education team trained teachers and helped the public to prepare for the changing climate of the future.
THE OUTCOME
Edu monitored research progress, measured research productivity, and encouraged collaboration between research teams.
In-depth interviews tracked each team’s progress against the strategic plan. Communication maps showed where collaboration was strong, and suggested ways that it could improve.
Annual evaluation findings helped to share the project's success with the funder and to shape and guide future decision making for the project’s leadership team and Advisory Board.