Crossing borders: promoting graduate research in the developing world

during graduate school to facilitate successful research projects abroad. Collectively, the authors of this paper work in East Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Prior to graduate school, we worked throughout the world in the Peace Corps, in undergraduate research programs, and with museums and non-govern mental organizations. Although our research interests vary widely and we currently work in different countries and cultures, we have had similar experiences in advancing and maintain ing dissertation projects abroad. We hope to provide prospective/current graduate students with a basic framework for establishing and implementing successful research projects in the developing world. More than half of the biodiversity hotspots identified by Conservation International are located in developing coun tries (CI 2002), yet relatively little research is conducted in these areas. Many developing countries do not have the resources to address pressing ecological questions. Synergies created by visiting graduate students working with host country nationals can provide additional funding, materials, and analytical infrastructure that can be used to contend with prominent environmental concerns. Research in developing countries also narrows a geographical knowledge gap in ecology and conservation. Thus, graduate research in the developing world can be mutually beneficial for both the visiting student and for the host country. Build an academic support network. Before entering a graduate program, seek academic advisors and research programs amenable to students pursuing internationally based projects. Advisors or committee members with direct experience working in developing countries should understand the technical, financial, and cultural issues specific to such an undertaking. They may also have a better appreciation of the political realities and safety considerations of working internationally. Academic departments and research institutions sup porting international study programs may have flexible infrastructure for students conducting fieldwork during the academic year. Also, many universities have estab lished international programs that provide funds for grad uate student research in a foreign country. Universities with active natural history museums are often a valuable resource for help with international permitting. Actions: When applying to graduate school and during your interview with your potential advisor, clearly state and discuss your interest in pursuing international research. When choosing a graduate program, seek information about infrastructure that allows graduate student research abroad and institutional funding possibilities for foreign-based research. If faculty members at your home institution do not have direct experience in your research country, con sider selecting committee members from outside your institution who are familiar with your host country. Seek international counterparts. Strong local support is essential. You will enhance your ability to complete a successful international research project by establishing strong relationships with in-country host institutions, colleagues, and community members. These collabora tive relationships can facilitate productive research, allow access to in-country resources and funding agen cies, and increase safety while abroad. Most visa applica tions and international research funding programs will require you to have proof of support from both host country counterparts and host-country institutions. Actions: Finding international counterparts: ask university colleagues who conduct work in your host country for contact information for prospective collaborators; -read country-specific natural history and ecology journals to find potential counterparts. Maintaining a relationship: develop a collaborative research project with your host-country counterpart(s); -involve local students in your research create research opportunities related to your project for host-country graduate and undergraduate students. Funding, timelines, and permitting. Consider the costs and logistics of work before initiating foreign-based research projects. Typically, international research is expensive. Consult with colleagues who have international research experience to ensure that your budgeting decisions are real istic. Time may also be a factor certain tasks quickly com pleted at home can often take substantially more time 333