REU Site: Geographic, Socio-economic, and Cultural Factors Shaping Crop Diversity and Livelihood Outcomes

该项目由SBE董事会的本科生研究经验（REU）网站计划资助。除了整合研究和教育之外，它还具有科学和社会效益。农田作物多样性与粮食和收入安全之间的关系一直是学者和发展工作者感兴趣的问题。佛蒙特大学（UVM）的REU网站为来自不同背景的八名美国学生提供了一个机会，对小农的作物多样性和生计进行跨学科研究。在为期八周的REU下，学生将在佛蒙特州伯灵顿的UVM校园度过四周，在那里他们将学习空间分析，使用现有的大型农场和家庭数据集进行调查分析，定性研究方法以及书面和口头交流。然后，他们对农场作物多样性，区域作物多样性，营养和农村生计进行原创性研究。因此，学生有机会为多维研究做出贡献，同时发展理论和方法技能，并参与跨文化合作伙伴关系。建立在以前的REU网站的模型，该计划为参与者提供了一个独特的文化和教育体验，同时提供了在支持REU设置进行原创研究的机会。该计划旨在促进低收入家庭的学生，第一代大学生和来自代表性不足群体的学生的参与。该REU网站有助于围绕不同作物的生产如何与粮食和收入安全相关的积极学术辩论。与来自UVM，国家社会环境综合中心（SESYNC），宾夕法尼亚州立大学，斯特林学院和国际研究中心Bioversity International的导师合作，REU参与者积极参与设计和实施跨地理尺度的作物多样性和生计研究，包括：（一）使用公共和商业数据集的地理信息系统（GIS）分析; ㈡利用具有全国代表性的大型住户调查进行统计分析（例如，DHS、LSMS-ISA）;和（iii）实地调查和访谈，与当地合作伙伴合作，核实二手数据的调查结果，并进一步探讨作物和食物选择与地理、经济和文化因素的关系。我们还提供创新的方法，将新的地理空间数据集和大型家庭调查数据集联系起来，并通过与当地合作伙伴的主要数据收集来测试从二次分析中出现的模式。通过社区合作伙伴会议、定制网站、经济学、农村社会学和跨学科期刊的合著学生出版物以及学生参与专业会议，广泛传播成果。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project is funded from the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program in the SBE Directorate. It has both scientific and societal benefits in addition to integrating research and education. Relationships between on-farm crop diversity and food and income security have long been of interest to scholars and development practitioners. The REU Site at the University of Vermont (UVM) provides eight U.S. students from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research on crop diversity and livelihoods among smallholder farmers. Under the eight-week REU, students spend four weeks on the UVM campus in Burlington, Vermont where they train in spatial analysis, survey analysis using existing large farm and household datasets, qualitative research methods, and written and oral communication. They then conduct original research on on-farm crop diversity, regional crop diversity, nutrition, and rural livelihoods. Students thus have the chance to contribute to multi-dimensional research while developing theoretical and methodological skills, and engaging in cross-cultural partnerships. Building on the model of a previous REU Site, this program provides participants with a unique cultural and educational experience, while offering the chance to conduct original research in a supportive REU setting. Recruitment is open to any NSF eligible undergraduate students, though the program is designed to promote participation by low-income students, first generation college students, and students from underrepresented groups.This REU Site contributes to active scholarly debates around how production of diverse crops relates to food and income security. Working with mentors from UVM, the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), Pennsylvania State University, Sterling College, and the international research center Bioversity International, REU participants actively engage in the design and implementation of research on crop diversity and livelihoods across geographic scales including: (i) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses using public and commercial datasets; (ii) statistical analyses using large, nationally representative household surveys (e.g., DHS, LSMS-ISA); and (iii) field-based surveys and interviews, working with local partners to verify findings from secondary data and further explore how crop and food choices relate to geographic, economic and cultural factors. We also provide innovative methods linking newly available geospatial datasets and large household survey datasets, and testing patterns that emerge from secondary analyses via primary data collection with local partners. Results are disseminated widely through meetings of community partners, a customized website, co-authored student publications in economics, rural sociology and interdisciplinary journals, and student participation in professional conferences.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.