Science+integration


 * Science integration meetings:**
 * 27 March, 2013
 * Meeting summary:
 * Recognized need for more integration in scientific efforts/outputs across N-project, disciplines, and scales. Need a way to capture the contributions of various projects, and organize them in a way that stimulates coordination and communication between NBDC scientists.
 * Review of NBDC efforts in Fogera by Beth Cullen illustrated some issues with fragmentation between various research activities at the site, but also highlighted the rich data sets now available.
 * There are numerous ways to organize what has been done thus far. A framework was suggested that organized NBDC activities/data sets/tools into one of 3 categories: those which describe the current biophysical/socioeconomic situation in the Blue Nile basin, those that are designed to identify alternative states that are more beneficial/sustainable, and those that assess development processes which move more effectively from the current situation to 'better' target state(s). NBDC contributions seemed to fit fairly cleanly into these 3 categories. The group accepted the suggestion- and Randall is to populate the framework ahead of the next meeting.
 * Current 'key messages' are heavily development-process oriented. More needs to be done to provide inputs and narratives from the technical aspects of the project, i.e. the 'Current State' and 'Target State(s)' categories in the Framework.
 * There was some discussion about defining clearer 'end-points' for the NBDC: NBDC outputs/OLM's/work plans vs. future funding opportunities. Two high-potential funding opportunities were identified, and concept notes will be developed.
 * More detail described in [[file:NBDC science integration 20130322.ppt|presentation]]. Subsequent action points contained in last slide.
 * 10 April, 2013
 * Context and intent of meeting described in [[file:NBDC science integration 20130410.pptx|presentation]]. Main focus of meeting was to review content of populated Development Pathways Framework as a means to initiate synthesis discussions. Based on meeting discussions, some revisions to the elements in the Framework were necessary.
 * [[file:Science_integration_framework_20130411.pdf|Development Pathways Framework]] populated with NBDC activities/data sets/tools (revised after 10 April meeting). This is a working document- please send revisions to Randall (R.Ritzema@cgiar.org).


 * Inputs to this conversation:**
 * [[file:NBDC_Targeting_extension_29-11-12.docx|NBDC targeting extension]] ( the concept note that was developed last year by Charlotte, Lisa and An – mainly as a follow up on the targeting-impact assessment interaction, but with a vision of integrating what was coming out of the local IPs. There might be scope to integrate the idea of the site-level modeling; and we could definitely draw on some of the tools. I have for now just attached it the way we thought about it last year ).
 * [[file:RAINFED SYSTEMS Feb 2013final.docx|Rainfed systems activity clusters]] (from Water, Land and Ecosystems CGIAR research program)