Dear IUCN colleagues,
I am leading a proposal to the ESRC Connect Awards titled "Fostering Interdisciplinary Education for Life and Diversity" (FIELD). ESRC is the UK's main social science research funder, and the Connect Awards support the scoping and establishment of emerging interdisciplinary fields. FIELD aims to consolidate biodiversity pedagogy as a coherent research field, producing disciplinary position statements, convening two international workshops, developing a Global Biodiversity Education Index, and establishing a Biodiversity Pedagogy Research Network. Given IUCN's mandate at the intersection of conservation science and education, the alignment is direct.
Here is what I am specifically asking for:
1. A letter of support. This is the single most impactful contribution at this stage. A short letter (two to three paragraphs on headed paper) from your institution, national IUCN committee, or CEC confirming awareness of the project and willingness to engage with the research as it develops would significantly strengthen the application. No funding commitment is required. I have a full draft I can share so you are not starting from scratch.
2. Expression of interest as a named collaborator or workshop participant. If you would like to be cited in the application, please send me your name, affiliation, and preferred role.
3. Feedback on the framing. If you have a few minutes to react to the proposal before submission, that input is also welcome.
I need letters by 2 June at the latest. Please contact me directly at [email protected]. I am happy to share the full draft proposal on request.
With thanks and warm regards,
Helen Kopnina
IUCN CEC Member, Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University