IRES: Track III: Weaving Global Engagement and Diversity into Engineering Workforce with World-Class International Research Experiences (W3)

全球化正在侵蚀美国在土木工程知识和研究方面的优势，而土木工程知识和研究对美国经济的发展和社会福利至关重要。实际上，土木工程学科（如环境、材料、水资源、交通、结构、岩土、建筑、计算或远程信息处理）的知识进步不仅需要跨学科的方法，还需要一代全球参与和高质量的土木工程研究人员。为了应对这些挑战，亚利桑那州立大学和美国土木工程师协会（ASCE）之间的这一合作奖项承诺，通过长达一个学期和世界级的研究经验，为美国土木工程研究生的多元化群体带来大规模和长期的全球参与。这些研究体验的设计旨在通过培养学生与国际研究合作伙伴之间牢固的个人联系，以及对研究发生的文化和物理背景的了解，建立永久的研究合作。在这个项目中，美国学生可以获得独特的数据来源、设施、想法和熟人网络，从而为在紧迫的全球和可持续问题的竞争研究环境中取得成功做好更好的准备。通过培养具有世界一流技能的全球土木工程人才，该项目有助于提高美国STEM劳动力、学院和大学以及公共和私营部门行业的竞争力。该奖项为期3年，为75名来自澳大利亚、中国、哥伦比亚、加拿大、南非、印度和以色列的一流研究型大学的美国土木工程研究生提供了为期一个学期的世界级研究经验。女性和少数族裔学生的大量存在创造了一个多元化的学生群体。具体的申请呼吁通过可以直接接触到少数群体和弱势学生的渠道进行传播。每位学生将在收到录取通知后的两年内保持研究员身份，目的是确保长期合作网络并建立专业发展。强大的专业发展重点加强了该奖项的研究部分。例如，学生通过亚利桑那州立大学和ASCE的教育资源培养领导力和道德方面的专业知识。在美国期间，学生还可以参加国内专业会议和区域/地方会议，并在国际学习期间参加相应的专业协会和行业组织。此外，强有力的评估计划将产生经验数据和结果，有望促进对国际研究经验中的参与、研究和文化能力等方面的理解。最后，该奖项将通过学术和非学术渠道的结合，推广和传播其亮点和成果，以缩小学术界、产业界和社会之间的差距。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Globalization has been eroding the US edge in civil engineering knowledge and research, which is fundamental to the development of the US economy and the welfare of its society. In reality, the advancement of knowledge across civil engineering disciplines (e.g. environmental, materials, water resources, transportation, structures, geotechnical, construction, computing, or telematics) requires not only an interdisciplinary approach but also the generation of globally-engaged and high-quality civil engineering researchers. In response to these challenges, this collaborative award between ASU and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) promises to generate large-scale and long-lasting global engagement for a diverse cohort of US graduate civil engineering students through semester-long and world-class research experiences. The design of these research experiences aims at building permanent research collaborations by nurturing a strong personal connection of the students with the international research partner(s) along with knowledge of the cultural and physical contexts in which research occurs. In this project, the US students have access to unique sources of data, facilities, ideas, and networks of acquaintance, and thus will become better prepared to succeed in a competitive research context characterized by pressing global and sustainable issues. By contributing to the generation of a globally-engaged civil engineering workforce with world-class skills, this project contributes to the competitiveness of the US STEM workforce, colleges and universities, and public and private sector industries.With a 3-year duration, this award enables semester-long and world-class research experiences for a diverse cohort of 75 U.S. civil engineering graduate students at premier research universities located in Australia, China, Colombia, Canada, South Africa, India, and Israel. A significant presence of women and underrepresented minority students creates a diverse student cohort. Specific calls for application are disseminated through channels that can directly reach and engage minorities and disadvantaged students. Each student will remain a fellow for two years from notification of admittance with the aim to secure long-term networks of collaboration and build professional development. A robust professional development focus reinforces the research component in this award. For example, students develop expertise in leadership and ethics through ASU and ASCE's education resources. Students also engage with domestic professional conferences and regional/local meetings while in the US and through equivalent professional societies and industry organizations during their international experience. Additionally, a strong assessment plan will generate empirical data and results that promise to advance the understanding of aspects such as engagement, research, and cultural competence in international research experiences. Finally, this award will promote and disseminate its highlights and outcomes through a combination of academic and non-academic outlets in order to close the gap between academia, industry, and society.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.