To sustain creative and productive research, the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) needs to maintain and widen its interdisciplinary perspective and to continually engage scientists that are not currently part of the mainstream drilling community.  We need to look outward, and we need to refresh and stimulate new partnerships.  Many of the most innovative discoveries made through the IODP have been in newly emerging interdisciplinary fields of research.  Scientists that lead synergistic activities to stimulate novel interdisciplinary inquiry and to expand the scope of ocean drilling science play a vital role in shaping the future of IODP and ensuring its success.  In addition, to justify the investment of international funding of the program, the IODP goals must serve, impact, and be conceived by, many branches of the geosciences communities working together.

Below is a list of opportunities for scientists, students and university geoscience educators to help with outreach and with stimulating interdisciplinary interactions.

1. Organize interdisciplinary sessions at professional meetings such as such as American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), National Center for Science Education (NCSE) or American Geophysical Union (AGU) sessions. If assistance is needed contact USSSP staff or USAC members.  

2. Propose workshops and/or symposia that bring drilling scientists together with diverse segments of the science community.  USSSP-sponsored Planning Workshops

3. Volunteer to give seminars in departments outside your field to stimulate new interdisciplinary collaborations and ways of thinking.  Encourage other departments at your university to request an Ocean Leadership Distinguished Lecturer.

4. Volunteer to write review or synthesis papers.

5. Volunteer to serve on National Academy of Sciences (NAS) or National Research Council (NRC) study panels, committees for International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP), Antarctic Geological Drilling (ANDRILL), and other programs.