Call for Applications

Each student in the workshop will be working hands-on to build a computer vision prototype to help efficiently answer their own ecological research question. Students are expected to propose this project as part of their application materials, and clearly define the question they hope to answer, the data they plan to use, and the broader impacts of their work if successful.

Deadline for applications: December 15, 2022, applications recieved after the deadline may not be considered.

Application Materials

  • 1-page project proposal (11pt font, 1" margins) addressing the following:
    • Research problem -- What question are you interested in and how would computer vision methods better enable you to address it?
    • Data -- What data do you plan to work with? Do you have the data already in hand? How much data do you have, how much will you have by the time the summer workshop will start? Is the data labeled already, or do you need to develop a labeling plan?
    • Motivation -- What would success look like? What is the likely impact of your research for science, policy, education and conservation?
  • 1-page personal statement (11pt font, 1" margins) describing your accomplishments, skills and career objectives.
  • Programming example (ie a GitHub repository for a project or an example script, can be Python or R but Python is preferred).
  • One letter of reference
  • CV
  • Fill out [this data form]

Application materials will be uploaded via Google Forms and Box, with letter writers uploading letters directly. Please see [this application form] for more details and to submit your application.

Target workshop participants

  • Senior graduate students, postdocs, early faculty, junior researchers in Ecology and Conservation.
  • Familiarity with computer programming for data analysis, preference for Python (we will help participants self-assess, and those without Python experience will be expected to gain Python literacy before the in-person session at Caltech. We will help provid pointers to tutorils and necessary skills, and will hold Python office hours in the months leading up to the session).
  • A demonstrated interest in academic research in ecology and conservation or the deployment of technology for conservation impact. A record of published research on quantitative ecology and conservation or a record of the deployment of technology within conservation or governmental organizations is preferred.
  • An ecology/conservation question in mind with access to a large image/audio/video dataset and need for CV/ML methods to support such research. We will work with accepted applicants in the months leading up to the workshop to help them curate and label their datasets for computer vision.
  • Scientists from communities facing large conservation challenges and from minoritized communities are especially encouraged to apply.

Accepted students will be responsible for travel to and from Caltech and a registration fee of $300. Room and board while at Caltech are included with acceptance to the workshop. We believe no qualified student should be turned away due to financial inaccessibility. If you are interested in supporting a student, please contact us at cv4ecology@caltech.edu.