Today's Café Specials

Convergence research is a means of solving vexing research problems, especially those focusing on societal needs with two primary characteristics:

It is driven by a specific and compelling problem, whether that problem arises from deep scientific questions or pressing societal needs; and
It shows deep integration across disciplines intentionally bringing together intellectually diverse researchers to develop effective ways of communicating across disciplines. As experts from different disciplines pursue a common research challenge, their knowledge, theories, methods, data and research communities increasingly intermingle.

RCEI is working to create a “Culture of convergence” at Rutgers within the realm of climate change scholarship.

The Convergence Café program within RCEI aims to reduce the barriers to establishing effective convergence partnerships within Rutgers, and across allied institutions. Convergence Cafés are informal gatherings held on campus at the Rutgers Club. We strive to create an atmosphere where ideas are shared freely between participants, there is room on the agenda for informal networking, and where participants are provided with high-value content that can elevate their ability to secure grant funding success. The success of Convergence Café events is measured over the short- and long- term for our stakeholder communities, establishment of convergence research centers at Rutgers, to instigating career-long collaborations between members of our RCEI community.

Mark Your Calendars!

Climate, Energy and AI Convergence Café

April 3rd, 2025
10:00am – 2:00pm
Rutgers Club, Room ABC

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – the development of smart systems and machines that are task-oriented, is inextricably linked to our modern, everyday lives. As technology advances and more software and data become open-source, AI and Machine Learning (ML), a subset of AI that enables machines to improve over time, become more accurate at tasks such as object detection, pattern recognition or making predictions based on data.

RCEI aims to direct Rutgers scholarship toward the emerging global emphasis on harnessing the power of AI and ML tools to address challenges within the climate and energy space. Common uses of AI/ML involve data processing, object classification, and process optimization/automation, all of which are critical for research within the four RCEI Focus Areas (Earth System Science; Renewable Energy, Technology and Energy Conservation; Human Dimensions of Climate Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience; and Climate Change Communication and Environmental Humanities).

This Convergence Café looks to bring together RCEI affiliate scholars and other full-time Rutgers faculty and staff (or a representative from their lab) to mobilize interdisciplinary teams focused on the intersection of AI/ML and the RCEI Focus Areas.

This event is for you if you are:

Interested in learning how other Rutgers scholars incorporate AI/ML into their work.
Searching for a collaborator to team with for research funding.
Looking to increase your chances of success within highly competitive programs.
In need of planning funds to get your project off the ground.

This Convergence Café will consist of plenary talks, lightning talks associated with common methodology themes (data processing, pattern recognition, process optimization/automation, object detection/classification, projection/prediction models), and networking sessions centered on broad themes within the nexus of Climate, Energy and AI. See agenda here.

Registration Deadline is March 30 at 11:59 PM.

Please register again even if you previously signed up for the February event.

Parking Information

Attendees may park in the Rutgers Club Parking Lot by registering here. Otherwise, Rutgers Faculty and Staff members can park in any lot their permit allows. The closest faculty/staff lot is Lot 101 followed by Lot 105.

Mark Your Calendars!

Climate and the Bioeconomy Convergence Café

May 2nd, 2024
11:30am - 1:30pm
Rutgers Club, Room AB

The bioeconomy harnesses the power of biology in novel production of goods, services, and energy to grow the economy and workforce while improving quality of life and the environment. Key to the bioeconomy concept is reducing dependence on fossil fuels while preventing biodiversity loss, reducing risks to people, and ensuring economic growth follows ethical, responsible, and sustainable principles.

RCEI aims to direct Rutgers scholarship toward the emerging global emphasis on the role of the bioeconomy in addressing climate change. This Convergence Café looks to mobilize interdisciplinary teams to access federal investments and support in research that intersects with the bioeconomy.

Scholarship around the bioeconomy is inherently interdisciplinary bringing together not only biology, but also insights and principles from agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, engineering, computing, geological, mathematical, physical, social, behavioral, and economics sciences. The bioeconomy transcends all biological scales from molecular to organismal, evolutionary, ecosystem, and biome.

This event is for you if you are:

Looking for funding sources for your research interests around this theme.
Searching for a collaborator to team with for research funding.
Want to increase your chances of success within highly competitive programs.
In need of planning funds to get your project off the ground.

RCEI’s Climate and the Bioeconomy Convergence Café event is for RCEI affiliate scholars and other full-time Rutgers faculty and staff (or a representative from their lab) to develop connections as well as learn about upcoming funding opportunities to address challenges around this theme.

For more information about the nexus between Climate and the Bioeconomy, see the Federal Funding Landscape highlighting programs across the Federal government anticipated to be competed this Fall.

The NSF Regional Innovation Engines Competition also focuses on several key areas of technology outlined in CHIPS and Science – including biotechnology; additional information about this call is available here.