PLuS Alliance launches International Interdisciplinary Researchers program

The PLuS Alliance, a partnership between Arizona State University, King’s College London and UNSW Sydney, has announced the PLuS International Interdisciplinary Researchers program (PIIR), designed to enhance the global and interdisciplinary skills and perspectives of the next generation of research leaders.

PIIR aims to provide researchers with training in developing global networks, working across transdisciplinary teams, communicating research and leadership and career development.

The program is open to PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers (up to five years post-PhD) from ASU, King’s or UNSW Sydney, with a research focus across one of the PLuS Alliance’s key themes: global health, sustainability, social justice, and technology and innovation. PIIR also aims to provide PhD and postdoctoral researchers with training in developing global networks, working across transdisciplinary teams, communicating research and leadership and career development.

Brian Smith, inaugural trustee professor with ASU’s School of Life Sciences, has been driving the development of the PIIR program at ASU in his role as PLuS Alliance fellow and associate dean of graduate initiatives in the Graduate College.

“Through the PLuS Alliance, faculty across the three partner universities, in broad areas of research, have been able to develop productive collaborations related to major global challenges. The PIIR program will enable students and postdoctoral researchers to take greater advantage of the strong cross-border and cross-disciplinary linkages fostered through the PLuS Alliance, and also provide an avenue for them to become more directly involved in this unique partnership,” Smith said.

To be granted a PIIR certificate, researchers must complete the one-year program, which includes a blend of online courses, in-person meetings at each institution, workshops, and monthly webinars with all partners. Researchers will also develop one scholarly output, such as a conference poster, funding proposal or policy position paper. Co-mentoring by faculty at different universities is encouraged, and researchers will have the opportunity to apply for funds to support travel to one of the PLuS Alliance institutions in Phoenix, London or Sydney.

The program will run from September 2018 through September 2019, with applications open through the end of July.