Ecological and social change in a rapidly warming ocean region

Overview

This REU site at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) in Portland, Maine, trains undergraduate students to contribute to the emerging need for a transdisciplinary approach to solving challenges in changing social-ecological coastal/marine systems. The program is integrated with ongoing research at GMRI and supports six students per summer. Each student works with one of eight potential mentors from our Research, Education, and Climate Center teams. Students also participate in seminars and workshops hosted by mentors and staff throughout the summer, where they learn about the structure and function of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, the socio-economic environment in the region, our education and outreach programs (with a strong emphasis on community science), and current resource management and environmental policy paradigms. The centerpiece of the experience is the development of an independent, hypothesis-driven research project aimed at improving our understanding of the Gulf of Maine as a coupled natural and human system in a marine region experiencing both significant warming and natural variability. Students also learn about the diverse education and career paths our staff and collaborators have pursued (including graduate school/career counseling), hone their scientific communication skills, and present their major research findings at a half-day symposium at GMRI. This opportunity includes a stipend ($600/week for 10 weeks), housing, a meal allowance ($100/week for 10 weeks), and travel support. Important Dates: Applications are open from January 1, 2025 until February 2, 2025. Applicants will be notified of decisions between March 1-15, 2025. The REU will run between June 2 and August 8, 2025. Students must be available for the entire 10 weeks to take part in the program.