[Nhcoll-l] Call for Applications: VertNet Biodiversity Informatics Training Workshop 2

[David A. Bloom]

Hello All,


VertNet is pleased to announce the second *Biodiversity Informatics
Training Workshop* (BITW), scheduled for *June 24-28, 2013*.  The workshop
will provide training and experience in the use of primary biodiversity
data sources and the tools necessary to become proficient in biodiversity
informatics and conduct high-level research.  Led by experienced
informaticists and researchers, the BITW will emphasize the use and
analysis of aggregated biodiversity data from VertNet, and other sources,
for a wide variety of research.



During the five-day course, participants will work closely with trainers to
address compelling biodiversity research questions and focus on the entire
scope of a research project, including data acquisition, tools for data
evaluation, analysis, and project dissemination and outreach.  Participants
are expected to bring high levels of motivation and desire to learn the
fundamentals of biodiversity informatics and become users of cutting edge
tools in GIS and modeling although not necessarily expected to have
experience in them. The workshop will include large and small group
exercises on a common curriculum, as well as the opportunity for
participants to discuss and explore their own research
goals/questions.  Virtual
talks by research professionals from across the U.S. will provide
opportunities to discuss how others use informatics tools and
workflows.  Participants
will explore and utilize:



●      Data sources for discovery, acquisition, data standards, database
creation and organization (VertNet, GBIF, Darwin Core)

●      Organization, analysis, workflow, and data improvement tools

●      Biodiversity measurement and analysis techniques

●      Species distribution modeling approaches

●      Dissemination, education, and outreach mechanisms (e.g., citizen
science)



The goal of the workshop is to provide conceptual frameworks and hands-on
experience with a suite of data sources such as VertNet (including MaNIS,
FishNet, HerpNET, and ORNIS), EOL, Map of Life, and other software tools
(e.g., BioGeomancer, GEOLocate, Quantum GIS, R Statistics, ArcGIS, Maxent).



At the end of the week, participants should leave the workshop with:



1.     an understanding of the evolution of, and the workflows within, a
research project;

2.     a set of basic skills to use data repositories, informatics and
analytic tools, and an understanding of which tools are appropriate for
specific tasks;

3.     knowledge of the abundant resources and additional training
available to them.



*Who should attend?*

Advanced undergraduates, recent post baccalaureates, and early-career
graduate students currently working, or interested in a career in a
biodiversity related field, including, but not limited to, ecology,
conservation, geography, biology, environmental science, computer science,
and library science.



*Workshop Selection and Support*

Acceptance to the BITW is a competitive process and the workshop is limited
to 20 participants.  *All applications materials and recommendations must
be received by 11:59pm PT on January 11, 2013 for consideration*.  Accepted
participants will be notified in March 2013.  Individuals selected to
participate will receive support for six nights accommodation, support for
transportation to and from the workshop, and per diem to help cover daily
expenses.  Accommodations will be provided on the campus of the University
of Colorado Boulder.

* *

*Application materials are available at
**http*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*://* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*vertnet*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*.* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*org*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*/* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*about*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*/* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*BITW*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*.* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*php*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*.  Submit application materials online
(**http*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*://* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*vertnet*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*.* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*org*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*/* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*about*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*/* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*BITW*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*.* <http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>*php*<http://vertnet.org/about/BITW.php>
*) or send all completed materials and one letter of recommendation to **
dbloom* <dbloom at vertnet.org>*@*
<dbloom at vertnet.org>*vertnet*<dbloom at vertnet.org>
*.* <dbloom at vertnet.org>*org* <dbloom at vertnet.org>*.*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20121015/57363e21/attachment.html