TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – As the CIROH Developers Conference returns for its third year, organizers are doubling down on what makes the event truly impactful: a unique blend of hands-on training, networking and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Hosted this year by the University of Vermont, the conference brings together members of the CIROH consortium, federal partners and early career professionals for three days of immersive training and meaningful connection.
Where Collaboration Meets Skill-Building
Dr. Sagy Cohen, a dedicated member of the organizing committee, emphasized that the event was designed not only to foster meaningful collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds but also to serve as a valuable educational experience, providing opportunities for learning, knowledge exchange and professional growth.
“The goal of the conference is to bring together CIROH members and partners to collaborate. What I really enjoyed the past two conferences is seeing the networking that happens. It’s a fairly intimate conference,” said Cohen. “But another thing that sets this conference apart is its very substantial focus on training. With this training, the goal is to enhance the capabilities of the participants and their knowledge and ability to use the tools that CIROH and others have developed.”
Strengthening Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The training portion of the event is organized around five thematic tracks: machine learning in hydrology, community NextGen, flood inundation mapping, social science and communication and hydroinformatics and data science. Each track is led by one or two dedicated leads who are responsible for curating the workshop content. Once participants register for the conference, they can sign up for workshops within these tracks, effectively allowing them to build their own custom learning experience throughout the three-day event. This flexible build-your-own-curriculum model has been well-received, as it allows attendees to tailor their training to their individual interests and professional goals.
In recent years, the conference has expanded both in structure and scope. One of the most notable developments is the intentional effort to include underrepresented disciplines, particularly social science and communication, into the core of the programming.
“We’re very confident in the structure we have now. We’re trying to give more representation for the social science part of CIROH research. It’s always a bit harder to do interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary activities,” said Cohen. “It’s quite different in terms of what a workshop would look like in social science than it would in machine learning, for example. So, I’m really excited that this year we have a new social science and communication track that’s very dedicated to that.”
Investing in the Next Generation
While the technical workshops are a cornerstone of the conference, Cohen stressed that its broader impact comes from the relationships it helps foster, particularly among students and early career professionals who often lack access to such focused environments.
“Training the early career and getting them connected is a huge piece. Students and early career professionals don’t really have a lot of opportunities,” said Cohen. “So, I think this is quite an important aspect of it. I personally am a huge believer that in order for projects and groups to collaborate efficiently and substantially, it’s often the best thing to get the more junior people to connect.”
With a growing number of returning attendees, a curated workshop track system and a clear emphasis on inclusion, the CIROH Developers Conference is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated events within the CIROH Consortium and water research and innovation community. The 2025 conference promises not just professional development but the kind of lasting connections that turn ideas into impact. Learn more about the conference by visiting https://ciroh.ua.edu/devconference/.