Conference: Plant Signaling and Behavior Symposium 2023

The funded project supports early-career scientists to attend the 6th International Symposium for Plant Signaling and Behavior (PSB2023). This symposium is hosted by the Society for Plant Signaling and Behavior and is noted for being an inclusive and provocative, stimulating symposium. Funds will be offered on a competitive basis to early-career women from groups not well represented in science. Applications will be reviewed by the symposium Organizing Committee and awarded based on accomplishment and need for support. Awardees will be introduced at a special session for discussing future research agendas for the field of Plant Behavior. Each will be expected to participate in moderating a group of 10 scientists, modelling ‘active learning’ in a classroom set up for this purpose. This activity will occur on the first day of the symposium and will jump-start conversations among participants and funded scholars. It is particularly useful to bring this group of scientists to the PSB2023 symposium for their novel perspectives and the likelihood that participating in this group will enhance their careers as scientists. Funds will be used to support participation of early-career scientists in the 6th International Symposium for Plant Signaling and Behavior. Plant Signaling and Behavior is an emerging field of biological research, integrating knowledge about signaling mechanisms, genetics and electrophysiology to test hypotheses about whole plant behavior and ecology. Arising from these studies are questions about cognition, awareness, and coordination of sensory input into responsive behavior. Here, basic plant biological mechanisms are explored in conjunction with modelling, behavioral studies, neurobiology and philosophy. The planned symposium will create an opportunity to focus current questions on rigorous science. Inclusion of philosophers of science and cognition will guide this process. As this field becomes more mainstream, with participation of high-profile scientists from adjacent fields, it is important to include early-career scientists in the discussion. Also particularly germane to this group is the inclusion of women scientists, as most of the leaders of the Society for Plant Signaling and Behavior have been men to date. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.