The theme of the Second Annual Conference is “Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Solutions.” The organizers and conference committee will accept interdisciplinary presentations that respond to the following issues and questions:
1. Tackling Food Scarcity while Ensuring Food Quality and Sustainability
Questions that could drive presentations under this headline include, but are not limited to:
What are past and current challenges experienced by communities, businesses, and/or government entities with respect to food scarcity, food quality, and sustainability?
How can communities, businesses, societies, and governments increase the production and/or availability of high-quality foods, especially among underserved populations, without depleting our natural resources?
What local histories, experiences, knowledge, and practices exist in the Rio Grande Valley that can inform communities, businesses, societies, and/or government entities around the world?
In which ways can interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary education, training, and knowledge address food security and quality in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, and beyond?
2. Economic Growth and Environmental Protection
Questions that could drive presentations under this headline include, but are not limited to:
How can communities, societies, governments, businesses, and industries sustain economic growth without depleting and endangering (e.g., through pollution) our natural resources and the environment?
What are and will be the most significant challenges and threats that local communities, governments, businesses, and industries in the Rio Grande Valley face and need to address?
What local histories, experiences, knowledge, and practices exist in the Rio Grande Valley that can inform communities, businesses, societies, and/or government entities around the world?
In which ways can interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary education, training, and knowledge support economic growth and simultaneously address environmental protection in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, and beyond?
3. Good Health, Well-Being, and Sustainability
Questions that could drive presentations under this headline include, but are not limited to:
What are some of the most significant challenges that complicate or endanger the health and well-being of individuals and communities in the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas, and how can these challenges be addressed and overcome?
What medical and health-related experiences, knowledge, and practices exist in the Rio Grande Valley that can inform medical professionals, healthcare providers, communities, societies, and governments around world?
In which ways can interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary education, training, and knowledge increase and sustain good health and well-being in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, and beyond?