Research

Our methods

Observations

We will leverage existing networks of weather, air quality, and hydrological measurements, supplementing available data with crucial new measurements of land-atmosphere exchange processes, atmospheric composition, and emissions. Intensive observational periods (IOP) throughout the summer months (from hot/arid pre-monsoon months throughout the peak of the North American monsoon season) will use mobile observatories to measure large-scale boundary-layer processes, and focused neighborhood-scale heavily-instrumented testbed experiments to elucidate drivers of microclimate variations and to evaluate the efficacy of proposed solutions. An open call to colleagues nationwide to bring additional unique instruments into the SW-IFL IOPs will be conducted.

SW-IFL diagram showcasing that the lab practices modeling, observations, and resilient solutions

 

Resilient Solutions

Testbed experiments will leverage data from the IOPs and include additional short- and long-term measurements that will engage researchers from across our university network as well as citizen scientists from our stakeholder organizations and the broader SW-IFL communities.

 

Modeling

The overall strategy for stakeholder engagement focuses on the co-creation of knowledge. This will include the development of integrative research and learning experiences through (a) scholar-community cohort fellowships, (b) undergraduate summer “HeatMappers” experiences with participatory science, and (c) K-12 curricular activities.

 

Stakeholder Engagement

The overall strategy for stakeholder engagement focuses on the co-creation of knowledge. This will include the development of integrative research and learning experiences through (a) scholar-community cohort fellowships, (b) undergraduate summer “HeatMappers” experiences with participatory science, and (c) K-12 curricular activities.