On February 4, CAS scientists and researchers from a range of disciplines and departments that included geography & environment, biology, and astronomy convened in the Photonics Center Colloquium Room. Their goal: identify complementary core strengths and new, collaborative opportunities. The Earth Systems Forum gave participants an opportunity to compare notes on existing activities at BU related to the Earth’s integrated physical, natural, and societal systems, and from there develop a shared vision for research, teaching, and facilities related to “Earth Systems.”
Speakers were encouraged to share ideas that would promote more interdisciplinary collaboration. John Clarke, professor of astronomy, proposed that biologists could collaborate with astronomers by modeling how life could exist under certain extreme conditions found on other planets. “There may be a $3 billion mission going to Europa,” he said. “There are underground oceans there that could have life. Maybe we could do modeling of what type of life could live in that type of environment.”
The immediate outcome of the forum will be a faculty-driven whitepaper providing a vision and planning statement for investment and development of research, facilities, and curricula at BU that build on core strengths related to the study of Earth Systems.