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.