Connecting people and ideas from around the world: global innovation platforms for next‐generation ecology and beyond

Abstract

Abstract. We present a case for using Global Community Innovation Platforms (GCIPs), an approach to improve innovation and knowledge exchange in international scientific communities through a common and open online infrastructure. We highlight the value of GCIPs by focusing on recent efforts targeting the ecological sciences, where GCIPs are of high relevance given the urgent need for interdisciplinary, geographical, and cross-sector collaboration to cope with growing challenges to the environment as well as the scientific community itself. Amidst the emergence of new international institutions, organizations, and meetings, GCIPs provide a stable international infrastructure for rapid and long-term coordination that can be accessed by any individual. This accessibility can be especially important for researchers early in their careers. Recent examples of early-career GCIPs complement an array of existing options for early-career scientists to improve skill sets, increase academic and social impact, and broaden career opportunities. We provide a number of examples of existing early-career initiatives that incorporate elements from the GCIPs approach, and highlight an in-depth case study from the ecological sciences: the International Network of Next-Generation Ecologists (INNGE), initiated in 2010 with support from the International Association for Ecology and 20 member institutions from six continents.

An early career perspective on encouraging collaborative and interdisciplinary research in ecology

“…So‐called Global Community Innovation Platforms, such as the International Network of Next‐Generation Ecologists, have been leading the way in this space for nearly a decade (Jørgensen et al. ). These platforms differ from other online spaces aimed at ECRs by their non‐hierarchical and open structures, which foster collaboration and innovation.…”

Early careers on ecohydraulics: challenges, opportunities and future directions

“…[ focus on methodological innovation and challenging paradigms; and (iv) they provide a common platform for sharing resources and ideas (Jørgensen et al 2015). In addition, we argue that the strongly interdisciplinary and very applied nature of ecohydraulics requires further explicit features: (v) connect important natural and social sciences networks; and (vi) engage political actors and the general public.…”