The Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is proud to announce the selection of three innovative projects for funding through the CALS Academy for Team Science (CATS) program. These research teams and their programs exemplify the college’s commitment to empowering people with the skills and knowledge to improve global food security, protect the planet’s resources and agricultural capacity, and navigate a broad array of social challenges to the benefit of Iowa, the nation, and the world.
Project 1: Seeding Collaborations in Environmental Justice
Led by Irene Jacqz, assistant professor of economics, Katie Dentzman, assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice, and Sam Mindes, adjunct assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice, this project aims to foster a deeper understanding of how environmental policies and regulations impact rural communities and disadvantaged groups in terms of environmental protection, human health, and community well-being. Through a series of workshops, the team will bring together early-career researchers from Iowa State University and other institutions in the social sciences. The workshops will facilitate networking, strengthen research networks, and build capacity to seek external funding. Additionally, the project will foster connections with funding agencies to better understand their needs and priorities, ultimately enhancing research outcomes and addressing disparities in environmental policy impacts.