INSPIRE Program

Implementing Novel Solutions for Promoting Cultural Change
In Geoscience Research & Education

The INSPIRE Program delivers a multi-faceted solution for transforming culture, shifting power, and authentically engaging underserved communities in earth and environmental sciences. The program provides opportunities for post-baccs and early career researchers to gain skills and experience through mentoring, training and professional development activities in a wide range of geoscientific disciplines. The program prioritizes engagement of communities through co-design of research, and fosters a just, equitable, and inclusive geoscience research community that reflects the diversity of the nation and is rooted in multi-directional listening and knowledge transfer. Through INSPIRE, the Columbia Climate School geoscience research and education community, including its alumni, will participate in coordinated mentoring and support, while providing connections and networking opportunities for program participants. 

 

>>Please visit the INSPIRE Web Page for more information<<

 


    Through INSPIRE, the Columbia research and education community, including its alumni, will participate in coordinated action of mentoring and support, and will offer networking opportunities to the Bridge Scholars and Visiting Fellows. The envisioned cultural transformation will increase the creativity, equity, relevance, and impact of geoscience research and education, both within the New York City metropolitan area and nationally. 

    The INSPIRE Program was co-developed and is being implemented as a partnership between scientists at Columbia University and the New York City College of Technology (City Tech). The program is funded by the National Science Foundation as an implementation grant through the Cultural Transformation in the Geoscience Community Program. The envisioned cultural transformation cultivated by INSPIRE will increase the creativity, equity, relevance, and impact of geoscience research and education, both within the New York City metropolitan area and nationally. For more information about the program, please contact the INSPIRE Program Office at [email protected].

     

    Executive Team

    Vicki Ferrini
    Vicki Ferrini, PhD

    Lead PI

    Senior Research Scientist, Marine/Large Programs, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory; LDEO Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Robin Bell
    Robin Bell, PhD

    Co-PI

    Lamont Research Professor, Marine Geology and Geophysics, Columbia University

    Valerie Purdie-Greenaway
    Valerie Purdie-Greenaway, PhD

    Co-PI

    Associate Professor of Psychology, Columbia University

    Hamid Norouzi
    Hamid Norouzi, PhD

    Co-PI

    Full Professor, New York City College of Technology

    Reginald Blake
    Reginald Blake, PhD

    Co-PI

    Associate Provost and Dean of Curriculum and Research, New York City College of Technology