2026 Conference Grant Recipients

Eric Moody (Department of Biology) proposed a conference on ecological stoichiometry, the study of the balance of multiple chemical elements and energy in aquatic ecosystems. The conference will be connected to the Fall 2026 course BIOL 0304 Aquatic Ecology and will bring together student presentations on data-based projects, research presentations by external participants and mentors, and workshops on data reuse. One of the major outcomes of the conference will be a collaborative project between Middlebury students and field experts, with contributions compiled in conference proceedings and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed venue.

Germán Reyes (Department of Economics) proposed the Early-Career AI Economics Conference (ECAIE), tentatively scheduled for Summer 2027. This conference will provide a platform for junior researchers to present and receive feedback on full-paper research about the economics of generative artificial intelligence. Hosting this event will position Middlebury as a hub for research on the economics of AI, complementing the work of midd.data and the College’s broader strategic planning efforts. It will also create opportunities for Middlebury faculty and students to engage with frontier research in this rapidly developing field.

We congratulate both recipients on their excellent proposals and look forward to seeing these conferences take shape at Middlebury.