April 05, 2007

Researchers invited to participate in symposium

by K.C. Jaehnig

Researchers working on or interested in projects dealing with natural resources, the environment or rural communities can attend a Southern Illinois University Carbondale symposium Tuesday, April 24, aimed at fostering interdisciplinary work in those areas.

Scheduled to run from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Student Health Center auditorium, the event will feature a talk by John A. Koropchak, vice chancellor for research and dean of the graduate school, on funding sources available for interdisciplinary research. Organizers hope the symposium will lead to the creation of a research think-tank, tentatively called the Delta Institute, that will focus on solving some of the economic, social and environmental problems threatening the Lower Mississippi Delta Region, a strip of counties and parishes following the Mississippi River through Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi. Missouri and Tennessee.

Those currently working in this region are encouraged to set up posters or table displays explaining their work. Contact anthropology professor Jane H. Adams, jadams@siu.edu, to reserve space.