Tieza Santos, ECR STS 2.0 alumnus and a Doctoral candidate at Technische Universitat Dresden, EUTOPIA Alliance, has been chosen as a Lead Ambassador for the NASA SciH Team programme 2024-26. The NASA SciX Ambassadors are community advocates working with the NASA SciX staff. Together, they are building a better interdisciplinary digital library system. NASA SciX makes research in astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics, and earth science more findable and accessible. An Ambassador’s responsibilities include:

§ Facilitating a robust network among their cohort and the broader NASA SciX community.

§ Engaging with their local and professional communities to promote the values and goals of NASA SciX.

§ Contributing to the NASA SciX blog and online forums, sharing their insights and experiences.

Tieza joined IGSD STS 2.0 in April 2024, and swiftly became its most member. We congratulate Tieza, an 'accidental scientist' as she calls herself, on this great award, and look forward to working together in building a robust community of ECRs for more a sustainable future!

The Early Career Researcher Sustainability Training School (ECR STS) Global recently concluded its second edition, marking another significant milestone in the journey towards fostering a transformative and transdisciplinary research culture at Warwick. Building on the success of ECR STS 1.0 held in June 2023, this year's event aimed to further enhance research, impact, and networking opportunities, while investing in a new generation of planet-conscious researchers dedicated to sustainable development.

ECR STS 2.0, held from 15th to 19th April 2024, expanded its reach across borders, bringing together early career researchers (ECRs) from 18 countries and 5 continents. Participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Ghana, Nepal, Bangladesh, Turkey, South Africa, and Australia, among others. This global representation not only enriched the discussions but also highlighted the universality of the sustainability agenda. One of the hallmarks of ECR STS 2.0 was its focus on innovative training methods developed by Warwick researchers. Participants had the opportunity to engage in participatory film-making, serious games, and citizen assemblies, offering a unique and immersive learning experience.

A distinguishing feature of ECR STS 2.0 was the active involvement of IGSD Thematic Fellows and the inaugural cohort of ECRs as mentors and trainers. This mentorship model fostered collaboration, knowledge exchange, and peer learning, creating a supportive environment for professional growth and development. Additionally, partnerships with the EUTOPIA consortium and the Commonwealth Futures Climate Research Cohort, ACU, further enriched the experience, underscoring the importance of collaborative research initiatives in driving meaningful change.

ECR STS is not just a training programme; it is a catalyst for transformative action and collaboration. By convening policymakers, practitioners, and young researchers, ECR STS facilitates dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the co-creation of solutions to complex sustainability challenges. As Warwick's flagship initiative with a focus on sustainability, ECR STS is poised to become an initiative that crosses geographical boundaries and contributes to building a more sustainable future for all.

As we at IGSD reflect on the success of ECR STS 2.0, we are reminded of the collective effort and commitment towards advancing sustainable development goals. The diverse perspectives, innovative approaches, and collaborative spirit demonstrated during the training school, serve as a testament to the power of collective and relational action in addressing global challenges. Join us for STS 3.0 in 24/25!