The Power of an Annual Institutional Representatives Workshop
By Sofía Rodríguez
The idea of holding an annual Institutional Representatives (IR) Workshop is more than just a meeting—it’s the beginning of something much bigger.
This year the gathering served as an incubator for ideas, where faculty and researchers from diverse institutions exchanged knowledge and explored educational opportunities.
Institutions such as the University of Guam joined the conversation, sharing ideas and common interests that sparked new possibilities for collaboration. Representatives from the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), and others also contributed to dynamic discussions that centered not only on current academic programs but also on what the future of tropical field-based science and education might look like—together.
The workshop went beyond presentations and meetings in a room. It was also experiencing OTS: walking the trails, immersing ourselves in tropical biodiversity, and connecting with researchers and staff who keep the stations thriving. IRs were able to see firsthand the immense value of field-based learning — how science comes alive in the forest, in conversations, and through shared exploration.
What became clear once again is that OTS offers more than logistics or academic infrastructure. It offers a community—a wealth of knowledge, committed staff, and decades of experience supporting researchers, faculty, and students in the field. Whether you’re designing a course, launching a research project, or looking for ways to bring students into hands-on learning, our stations are home to people who are not only capable, but joyful in helping you make it happen.
As many of us have experienced, when you are at a field station, curiosity takes over. Conversations deepen, ideas spark, and it becomes not just a place for science and teaching, but a place that feels like home.
At OTS we believe that collaboration begins with shared experiences – and that nature is what brings us together again and again. It is what inspires us to teach, and to push the boundaries of what we know.
The IR Workshop is a step toward creating a dynamic and connected academic community, ready to respond to the challenges of our changing world and to empower the next generation to rise to meet them.
We are already looking forward to the next year! If you want to be part of the 2026 Institutional Representatives workshop, please reach me out sofia.rodriguez@tropicalstudies.org
