CFSRC investigators convened to discuss new research ideas and share their latest work in Amherst Massachusetts, 21-23 June 2023, to kickstart a new round of innovative proposals for cold-formed steel research. The workshop was hosted and organized by Associate Professor Kara Peterman and attended by CFSRC investigators: Sanjay Arwade, Hannah Blum, Thomas Gernay, Zhanjie Li, Kara Peterman, and Ben Schafer; in addition, Kim Rasmussen of the University of Sydney participated and provided critical insights to the team. The workshop delved into high level drivers such as the critical issues of societal and national need, and also evaluated current collective CFSRC capabilities. After initial sharing, facilitated by Professor Peterman, the team focused on research ideation in sustainability, affordable housing, modular construction, and other topics of need that did not fit the primary three areas. The workshop included a 1/2 day of focused writing to initiate new proposal topics. The attendees wrote over 5,000 words on their research proposal ideas, resulting in over 12 pages of text, all in a single morning. While a success in “putting pen to paper,” the Workshop also forged new and closer research collaborations. Follow up efforts will be conducted this Fall.
