Short course: Bayesian Modeling for Socio-Environmental Data

[Melanie Colón]

SHORT COURSE



Bayesian Modeling for Socio-Environmental Data



HOSTED BY



The National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC)

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

August 19–28, 2015



APPLICATION DEADLINE



May 29, 2015



ADDITIONAL INFO



http://www.sesync.org/opportunities/bayesian-modeling-data



Solutions to pressing environmental problems require understanding
connections between human and natural systems. Analysis of these systems
requires models that can deal with complexity, are able to exploit data
from multiple sources, and are honest about uncertainty that arises in
different ways. Synthesis of results from multiple studies is often
required. Bayesian hierarchical models provide a powerful approach to
analysis of socio-environmental problems that are complex and that require
synthesis of knowledge.



SESYNC will host a nine-day short course August 19–28, 2015 covering basic
principles of using Bayesian models to gain insight from data. The goals of
the course are to:



+ Provide a principles-based understanding of Bayesian methods needed to
train students, evaluate papers and proposals, and solve research problems.

+ Communicate the statistical concepts and vocabulary needed to foster
collaboration between ecologists, social scientists, and statisticians.

+ Provide the conceptual foundations and quantitative confidence needed for
self-teaching modern analytical methods.



FORMAT



The course will include lectures and laboratory exercises. Labs will
emphasize problem solving requiring programming in R and JAGS. There will
be 4–6 group projects using data provided by participants. The projects
will be aimed at producing published manuscripts.



DETAILS



+ The course will be held August 19–28, 2015 at SESYNC in Annapolis,
Maryland, and will meet daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. There will be no meeting
on Sunday, August 23.

+ The course is aimed at postdoc, researcher, and faculty participants.
Grad students may also be considered.

+ There is no fee to attend, but participants are responsible for most of
their own travel and accommodations.

+ For those willing to share a room with another participant, SESYNC will
provide local hotel accommodations. If a private hotel room is desired,
SESYNC will cover 50% of hotel costs.

+ Coffee/tea and lunch will be provided daily.



APPLY



Visit http://www.sesync.org/opportunities/bayesian-modeling-data for
complete details. Applications must be received by May 29, 2015, at 5 p.m.
Eastern Time (ET). Selected participants will be notified by June 15, 2015.



The course will be limited to 25 participants. All participants must be
proficient users of R and be able to bring a laptop to each class meeting.



QUESTIONS?



Please email Dr. Mary Collins at: mcollins@sesync.org