THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPORTING VEGETABLES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF U.S. EXPORTERS

Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade,

A MICRO-ANALYSIS OF U.S. VEGETABLE MARKET PENETRATION IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Agribusiness, International Relations/Trade,

The lab management practices of “Research Exemplars” that foster research rigor and regulatory compliance: A qualitative study of successful principal investigators

IntroductionConducting rigorous scientific inquiry within the bounds of research regulation and acceptable practice requires a principal investigator to lead and manage research processes and personnel. This study explores the practices used by investigators nominated as exemplars of research excellence and integrity to produce rigorous, reproducible research and comply with research regulations.MethodsUsing a qualitative research design, we interviewed 52 principal investigators working in the United States at top research universities and the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program. We solicited nominations of researchers meeting two criteria: (1) they are federally-funded researchers doing high-quality, high-impact research, and (2) have reputations for professionalism and integrity. Each investigator received an initial nomination addressing both criteria and at least one additional endorsement corroborating criteria 2. A panel of researchers and our research team reviewed the nominations to select finalists who were invited to participate. The cohort of "Research Exemplars" includes highly accomplished researchers in diverse scientific disciplines. The semi-structured interview questions asked them to describe the routine practices they employ to foster rigor and regulatory compliance. We used inductive thematic analysis to identify common practices.ResultsThe exemplars identified a core set of 8 practices and provided strategies for employing them. The practices included holding regular team meetings, encouraging shared ownership, providing supervision, ensuring adequate training, fostering positive attitudes about compliance, scrutinizing data and findings, and following standard operating procedures. Above all, the use of these practices aim to create a psychologically safe work environment in which lab members openly collaborate to scrutinize their work and share in accountability for rigorous, compliant research.ConclusionsResearchers typically receive limited systematic training in how to lead and manage their research teams. Training and education for principal investigators should include essential leadership and management practices and strategies that support doing high-quality research with integrity

Campus Thrift Store: A Small Step Towards Big Change

Production and consumption associated with the textile industry exhausts water and fossil fuel resources, and significantly contributes to global waste burden. Studies have shown that U.S. college students produce millions of tons of solid waste every year, much of which could have been diverted. This project describes the benefits of second-hand markets as a tool to achieve waste diversion and sustainability, and proposes a campus thrift store at the University of Richmond (UR). Supporting literature, previous successful reuse initiatives at UR, and a review of best thrift store practices at other universities are provided as justification for the proposal. The project concludes that a thrift store on UR’s campus would be simple to implement and have a considerable positive impact on the campus community and the planet as a whole

Journeying the James: A Study of a Multidisciplinary Environmental Education Program in the Non-Formal Sector

Because the world is faced with an abundance of environmental problems, environmental education is essential in creating citizens that can solve them. Many studies show that when people are educated about the environment, they become environmental stewards. This paper investigates an experience and place-based environmental education program for high school students by the James River Association, a non-governmental organization in Richmond, Virginia. The study aims to identify whether or not the program meets the goals of environmental education, as well as its own goals. Fifty-four past program participants responded to an internet survey. Descriptive statistics and analysis of qualitative data were used to conclude that the program was successful in meeting its own goals and the goals of environmental education. This study shows the powerful impact of non-formal and multidisciplinary environmental education programs and can serve as an example for similar initiatives both locally and globally