246 Best Practices for Developing International Collaborations in the Geosciences

This session invites presentations on successful scientist to scientist international collaborations in the geosciences in research and educational activities, focussing on how they developed and keys to their success. It will also explore how organizations can help foster international collaborations/engagements.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 301A

Fulbright Collaborative Project: Critical Minerals in Norway and the United States

Paper number: 246-7
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

The increasing urgency centered around critical minerals (CM) was the impetus for a Fulbright research project that examined parallels between CM supply chains in Norway and those in the United States. Our global economy necessitates international collaboration on this topic, especially between countries that have similar energy and mineral-focused economies.

Norway shares many characteristics with energy-focused states in the US, such as Wyoming. Norway and Wyoming are both leaders in research and development around CM and both are home to CM resources in various stages of development.

For these reasons, Dr. Phillips proposed a collaborative Fulbright research project hosted by the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE) to study recent progress and challenges related to CM in Norway and to make comparisons with the US. This project developed after many years of work on CM by Phillips and colleagues at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (UWSER). The collaboration was fitting, as UWSER and NORCE are similarly structured research and development institutions.

Phillips was granted a Fulbright Scholar Award and spent 5 months in 2025 at NORCE in Bergen, Norway. This project allowed Phillips to meet academic and industry stakeholders working in the CM space in Norway. Researchers from the US and Norway had the opportunity to share ideas not only about science, but also culture and history. This experience has led to new opportunities, including partnerships on projects and proposals and the development of a Norway study abroad course to be offered to University of Wyoming students in 2026.

Choosing a compelling subject of study that is relevant to both home and host institution is the first of many steps in successful implementation of an international research project. Success for such a project depends on consistent and clear communication between collaborators, understanding cultural norms, and being flexible in research pathways. Success also depends on support from both the home and host institution and the supporting entity - in this case, Fulbright. Organizations can help to support international projects by advocating for all types of employees to pursue international opportunities - not just tenure-track faculty who are eligible for sabbaticals. Staff, administrators, and adjunct faculty also bring important perspectives to international research projects.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412929

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