(L to R) Sandra Anderson, Andres Manrique, Madison Dyment, Dharmendra Kalauni, Arati Joshi, Alwin Hopf, Emily Pappo and Ashley McLeod-Morin at the PIE Fellows recognition ceremony in May 2023.
In 2022, the PIE Center launched a new fellowship program to provide University of Florida graduate students with professional development opportunities related to social science.
The PIE Fellows program was created to facilitate learning and collaboration among students from various disciplines. The 2022-2023 PIE Fellows class included seven UF graduate students representing two colleges and five academic departments.
Over the course of the academic year, the Fellows convened for monthly seminars to learn about social science research and outreach. The Fellows were able to apply the skills they learned by developing a public opinion survey and creating communication products.
For their participation in the program, each Fellow received a stipend to join a professional association, up to $1,000 toward conference travel or publishing fees, invitations to PIE Center networking events and support from research and outreach staff members.
Ashley McLeod-Morin, associate director of communication for the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (SCCAHS), led the PIE Fellows program alongside PIE Center research coordinator Sandra Anderson
“When designing the PIE Fellows program, our ultimate goal was to provide a well-rounded experience for graduate students,” McLeod-Morin said. ”We wanted the Fellows to cultivate long-lasting relationships and walk away with a deeper understanding of social science.”
The PIE Fellows conducted a research study on public perceptions of agricultural health and safety. Students explored the topic through their own disciplinary lenses, incorporating subtopics such as nutrition, technology and mental health.
In April 2023, the program culminated with a final presentation and recognition ceremony. The Fellows presented their projects to the PIE Center’s advisory board and council before the annual meeting.
The PIE Fellows program represents a targeted effort to engage students in agricultural and natural resources issues. As outlined in the center’s strategic plan, the PIE Center aims to develop scholars with balanced perspectives and diverse professional skill sets.
The PIE Fellowship was an exciting opportunity for me to cross-collaborate, broaden my research expertise and bring my own ideas to fruition. I was able to highlight my experience as a PIE Fellow during interviews for industry internships and apply the skills I learned as a PIE Fellow to real scenarios in the workplace.
This story is featured in this year’s PIE Center annual report.
