Scholars and Researchers

March 2017

From the Vice President

Greetings from Washington D.C., where Assistant Professor Travis Paveglio and I just attended the National Academy of Sciences’ “A Century of Wildland Fire Research: Contributions to Long-Term Approaches for Wildland Fire Management” workshop. In addition to hearing keynotes and panel discussions on the past, present and future of fire science, I attended a closed afternoon session where select leaders deliberated key topics such as regional fire science research priorities, the role of technology, stakeholder engagement, and integrating science into management and policy.

The University of Idaho had outstanding representation at this national workshop. Our university is home to an interdisciplinary cluster of experts in fire science, and we are leading the way in fire science research to create solutions that can be applied in our communities, forests and rangelands. Our fire research program attracts top students, and we collaborate with leading fire scientists and innovative, effective fire managers.

Fire science is a strategic research priority area for the university, and the Office of Research and Economic Development will continue to make internal investments and support efforts to secure external funding for our interdisciplinary activities.

This summer, UI will host several events to launch our expanded, strategic fire science research efforts and grow our reputation as national research- and thought-leaders in this crucial field.

In early June, UI fire researchers, research administrators and partners outside the university will gather in Moscow for the Fire Research Forum, with the goal of creating a roadmap for upcoming research.

Later in June, the College of Natural Resources, with support from ORED and several other groups, will host a workshop in Hailey, Idaho, “Creating Fire Resilient Communities.” This will bring together research leaders, agencies and community members for a conversation about the challenges of living with fire and how university research can serve specific communities’ needs.

ORED will host an additional strategic research planning session later in the summer. We are embracing this opportunity to build a team that is greater than the sum of its parts, and to have UI nationally and internationally recognized for its contributions.

I encourage you to explore some highlights about UI fire science research and researchers — including Paveglio, who was panelist at yesterday’s workshop — on the ORED website.

Go Vandals!

Janet E. Nelson
Vice President
Research and Economic Development