Synthesis Team (ST) & Synthesis Activity Groups (SAG)

This synthesis project will be conducted by an ST. The ST will be subdivided into a number of SAGs to execute tasks and activities concentrated on specific topics.

Planning and Project Initiation

  • Identify potential synthesis team members (chosen by the Executive Committee)
  • NCSA will deploy their ongoing developments related to cyberinfrastructure, consisting of cyber-collaboration technology, end-to-end sensor to desktop data access, and integrating models with data for high performance computing
  • Organize first meeting

Synthesis Team meeting (at national conference, UIUC, or partner site)

  • Final composition of synthesis teams to be decided subsequent to a meeting comprising several potential members
  • ST members (approximately 10 to 15 people) will be a diverse group of scientists originating from both the partner institutions (50% membership), and from the wider community (50% membership), that will bring an interdisciplinary framework to the forefront, by incorporating individuals skilled in a diverse set of specialties and methodologies
  • Initial synthesis team meeting to center on defining the essential elements of the problem, breakup into smaller SAGs, and transference of activities to SAGs. The actual research for each component of the problem will be pursued by one SAG.

Synthesis Activity Groups (meetings at UIUC and partner sites)

  • Initial work of each SAG will center on integrated assessment of needs of the problem, developing strategies for identifying data and modeling requirements to answer the requirements of the topic for which the SAG has been assigned
  • Each SAG works autonomously, organizing independent meetings of varying durations and utilizing cyberinfrastructure for collaboration, data analysis and modeling
  • Assessment of “state of the art” through data analysis and literature review
  • Integration of data, information and concepts towards data and conceptual models
  • Origination of new ideas and concepts through data searching
  • Identify unsolved research problems
  • Suggesting effective solution approaches that will lead to transformational outcomes
  • Improved understanding of interdisciplinary theories, concepts, models, and data analysis tools
  • Each SAG will identify a partner site as a host for meeting, collaboration, leadership and support services
  • SAGs will inform project partners and possibly form new research agendas

Synthesis of data, concepts, methods and theories across disciplines (meeting at UIUC or partner site)

  • Joint meeting with all synthesis team members will be used to assess progress and knowledge gaps, and define new or revised goals
  • New SAGs will be formed, with a composition that may or may not be the same as the first group

New SAG meetings (at UIUC and partner sites)

  • Each SAG will assume responsibility for their own activities, with one of the partner sites serving as a focus
  • Cyberinfrastructure will be utilized in coordination and communication
  • NCSA will continually identify cyberinfrastructure requirements and incorporate them into their design conventions

Identify unresolved problems, new challenges, and promote effective solution approaches

  • Each ST will assume pilot projects to address issues identified to this point
  • Assess the applicability and adequacy of the proposed ideas and data
  • SAGs can be reformed (if necessary)
  • New additional activities to perform independent interdisciplinary research

Evaluate project performance and success (meeting at UIUC or partner sites)

  • Assessments conducted by advisory committee (appointed by project management team), and oversight committee (appointed by NSF and CUAHSI)
  • Comprehensive project assessment report and an account of the wisdom gained through this project will be provided