Convergence Tenets and Tensions
Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Multiscale RECIPES for Sustainable Food Systems network is a national food waste research network bringing together over 40 researchers and 15 institutions and other partners across the country working to advance the science needed to make our wasteful food system sustainable, equitable, and resilient.
As “convergent research” is a priority of NSF and thus of our Multiscale RECIPES network, in 2023 we embarked on a journey together as a network to evolve a common language and collective understanding of convergence.
While people across the network were starting to embrace the term and the general concept of convergence, there was significant divergence in how the term was being applied and referenced. And while this diversity of thinking is itself at the heart of convergence, we realized how important it was to find at least a common foundation of understanding – not a “definition” per se – but at least a common language and collective understanding of what convergence means to us, and how it relates to and contributes to achieving our collective goals as a network.
Funding
SRS RN: Multiscale RECIPES (Resilient, Equitable, and Circular Innovations with Partnership and Education Synergies) for Sustainable Food Systems
Directorate for Engineering
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