Stokes participates in international review
Beth Stokes
A Mississippi State University faculty member recently represented the university on the international stage, serving as an invited panelist for an internally-initiated review of the Forest Research Institute at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.
Over the course of 10 days, Beth Stokes, associate professor in MSU’s Department of Sustainable Bioproducts, visited the Australian campus, attending the institute’s research showcase and interviewing university students, faculty, administrators and stakeholders to conduct a formal review of its research and educational programs. Stokes, who is also a scientist with the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, was the sole representative from the U.S. on the distinguished panel, underscoring the global recognition of MSU’s leadership in forest products research.
Stokes said the experience provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with international colleagues and students while contributing to the advancement of research and education.
“Participating on this panel was eye-opening in many ways, and I hope we can foster more international collaborations in the future,” Stokes said.
The panel conducted a comprehensive review of the Forest Research Institute, established five years ago, to assess its processes, structure and effectiveness. This included evaluating the institute’s three distinct units, including its National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, where Stokes has served as an advisory board member for three years. The goal was to identify strengths, areas for improvement and opportunities to enhance efficiency. A detailed report with recommendations will be submitted to the institute’s administration to guide future development.
Stokes also found parallels between the Australian university and MSU in how to better address global challenges in education.
“One challenge the University of the Sunshine Coast faces is recruiting undergraduates into their graduate programs. It was enlightening and made me think about how we could improve our recruitment efforts here. It was fascinating to see how globally the same challenges exist, but people are addressing them differently,” she said.
Rubin Shmulsky, sustainable bioproducts professor and head, said Stokes was a strong choice to be selected for the role.
“Being the only representative from the U.S. selected for this team speaks volumes to both the integrity of Dr. Stokes’ reputation as well as the high quality of our program at Mississippi State University. We strive to impart to our students that one measure of professional value is our reputation. Dr. Beth Stokes is a strong example of leadership responsibilities that can grow from hard work and character,” he said.
MSU’s Department of Sustainable Bioproducts is a global leader in sustainable bioproducts education and research, consistently driving innovation to support global economic and environmental sustainability. Visit www.bioproducts.msstate.edu for more.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.
Vanessa Beeson | Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing
