3. Limitations/Challenges in Space Physics and Aeronomy and possible solutions through ICON
3.1. Knowledge based limitations
The lack of proper understanding of basic concepts and proper training for young students can lead a meritorious aspirant to an unfulfilled career. This problem can be solved if eminent scientists can teach them online. Online courses can be designed where interested students and researchers can register free of cost or with nominal registration fees. The relevant study materials can be provided weekly/monthly to all the registered participants. End of course evaluation process with certificates can be implemented for all participants to judge their understanding. This can add to ICON open and networked research if they are assigned with some tasks including analysis of any space-weather event using openly shared data and standard models. The results can lead to publications (for the researchers’ benefit) and towards a better understanding of that space-weather event to the scientific community. If no registration fees are applied to make these courses available for everyone, this will benefit the broader community and we can bring more young researchers that would have been left out without these courses.
3.2. Cultural limitations
The cultural barriers for young aspirants from different parts of the world can be a challenging aspect. These lead to a lack of communication and idea-sharing as well as an unwillingness towards collaboration. This barrier can be removed by arranging cross-cultural workshops, seminars, student meetings, mentoring schemes, etc. This will help researchers from diverse backgrounds interact and understand each other. As mentioned in subsection 2.4, efforts are being made to involve young aspirants through different programs such as SCOSTEP SVS program, CCMC challenges where they can contribute to the understanding of space-weather events. These are some of the examples of networked research with mutual benefit as the young aspirants also contribute towards the research interest of the corresponding institute during those programs. But in most cases, they remain unaware of these opportunities. It is the responsibility of their supervisors to communicate this information to them during their undergraduate tenure.
3.3. Unavailability of Data
Though a lot of freely available data are present, there are still some data that are not published freely by different agencies, universities or laboratories. They adhere to some data policies which restrict data sharing with other researchers which is not in accordance with the ICON principles. Sometimes, they only provide data to their collaborating institutes. Thus, there is a need to redesign data policies to enable open sharing while ensuring proper credit and attribution to the data generators.
3.4. Technical limitations
The lacking infrastructure is one of the major barriers for researchers; this limitation is particularly acute in developing countries. Institutes are often unable to purchase instruments for studies and observations. More funding from different agencies may solve this problem. The online freely available data and educational resources in the Space Physics and Aeronomy section help to a certain extent in absence of infrastructure investments, which is an ICON-based solution (open research).
3.5. Professional limitations/challenges
Some universities or institutions are not providing financial support to their employees for pursuing higher studies and research abroad. This can be solved partially if universities and institutes from different countries can agree to exchange students and staff for a certain period of time. These students and staff can learn from the other universities and contribute to the research interests of their visiting institute which is also in line with the mutually beneficial ICON-based networked research.
3.6. Limitations towards English Proficiency
The lack of proficiency in English is also a major problem for young scientists mainly from non-English speaking countries. These lead to communication problems in their future career. They remain skeptical towards interacting with other scientists leading them towards unclear concepts in their subjects. Overcoming language barriers is one key element that needs to be addressed to research with the broader community. ICON-based solutions provided in subsections 3.2. and 3.5. (seminars, workshops, challenges, exchange programs or any mode of interactions) can build their confidence towards presenting in English. These processes will bring out more young talented scientists who will contribute to the community with their research in the future.