Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/N018931/1
Taxonomic principles and tools in botanical research
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr S Pressel, The Natural History Museum, Life Sciences
- Grant held at:
- The Natural History Museum, Life Sciences
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Conservation Ecology
- Systematics & Taxonomy
- Plant reproductive biology
- Plant responses to environment
- Abstract:
- This training initiative directly addresses the present shortfall in taxonomic expertise, focusing on plants and algae. This short course will equip participants with the skills necessary to address a wide range of environmental science questions by providing key training in taxonomy and systematics, using world class resources at the Natural History Museum. Participants will acquire an understanding of fundamental taxonomic principles and contemporary issues in the subject and will learn practical identification skills from international experts engaged in active research, using both freshly collected and herbarium specimens. Participants will also have the opportunity to bring their own specimens for identification and further studies. Emphasis is given to taxon-based training. By utilising our breath of taxonomic expertise, the course is highly responsive to training needs and offers training in identification skills tailored to the requirements of the participants. Applicants will be offered four choices of specialist training, including three cryptogam groups (bryophytes, lichens and marine macroalgae) and vascular plants. Each group will consist of a maximum of six students so that training will be truly tailored to the specific needs of each participant. Once applicants have expressed their choice of group in the application form, our staff with the expertise in that taxonomic group will liaise with them and discuss individualized training objectives and outcomes. The course will comprise one day of lectures and demonstrations complemented by four days of extensive hands-on practical sessions. These will include one day in the field and three days of herbarium/laboratory based work. The uniqueness of this training initiative lies in 1) the NHM's unsurpassed combination of in-house taxonomic expertise engaged in active research and spanning both cryptogams and vascular plants, one of the world's most comprehensive and best curated herbaria, libraries and state-of-the-art research facilities all under one roof; 2) delivering truly individualized training by world authorities through offering four choices and keeping each group to a maximum of six students. By working closely with NHM taxonomic specialists participants will gain key taxonomic expertise and will leave equipped with the tools necessary to meet the demands and challenges of their current and future careers. Thus the proposed training will benefit a wide range of postgraduate students, early career environmental sciences researchers and applied users who lack the taxonomic expertise needed to optimally produce/access/use taxonomic information as well as to interpret effectively data generated by many other techniques.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/N018931/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Advanced Training
This training grant award has a total value of £36,350
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Other Costs |
|---|
| £36,350 |
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