In the ever-evolving field of environmental science, collaboration and innovation are key to addressing the pressing issues of our time. This September, the Environmental Data Science Innovation and Impact Lab (ESIIL), an NSF synthesis center led by Geography Professor Jennifer Balch, hosted its third annual Innovation Summit. Bringing together over 100 experts, this event fostered new approaches to understanding environmental tipping points and transformations.
The summit utilized an interactive “unconference” format, allowing participants to form groups based on shared interests. This format encourages spontaneous collaboration and cross-disciplinary teamwork. Over two and a half days, attendees developed twelve working groups focused on various pivotal environmental topics.
Before the in-person gathering, participants engaged in a virtual “Science Jam” to brainstorm potential research questions and datasets. The most promising ideas from this session shaped the summit’s agenda. To prepare attendees for the data-centric discussions, ESIIL offered two virtual training sessions on big data and cyberinfrastructure, equipping them with cutting-edge analytical tools.
During the summit, the goals were clear: delve into big data to comprehend environmental tipping points, advocate for ethical open-science practices, promote responsible AI use, and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration. The opening ceremony featured a blessing from Phil Two Eagle of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, emphasizing the interconnectedness of participants and the planet. Following this, Jennifer Balch highlighted the necessity of diverse perspectives in tackling complex environmental issues.
The facilitation was managed by Divergent Science, guiding attendees through exercises to refine their ideas and form cohesive teams. These teams were provided with collaborative workspaces, access to shared GitHub repositories, CyVerse resources, and on-call support from the ESIIL team.
Throughout the summit, teams advanced their projects from hypothesis formation on the first day, to data analysis using ESIIL’s OASIS data library on the second day, culminating in final presentations on the third day. Some of the explored topics included:
- How disturbances impact forest regime shifts
- Mapping thresholds for ecosystem changes
- Effects of interacting stressors on aquatic food-webs
- Identifying linked disturbances and management strategies
- Enhancing data interoperability across datasets
All project materials and repositories from the summit can be accessed here: ESIIL Innovation Summit 2025 Group Repos.
The event concluded with group presentations and plans for continued collaboration. Many teams aim to submit papers to a special issue of Environmental Data Science focused on “Solution-Based Data Science for Environmental Challenges.” Others are seeking ESIIL working group funding to further their projects over the next two years.
ESIIL’s Innovation Summit plays a crucial role in fostering a global community of environmental data scientists. By equipping them with the necessary skills and tools to harness big data, the summit supports the development of real-world environmental solutions. The collaborative environment encourages the sharing and practicing of these vital skills, enabling intentional innovation to thrive.
Original Story at www.colorado.edu