[DIALOGnews] DIALOG and DISCCRS News Oct. 22, 2004
Susan Weiler
weilercs at whitman.edu
Fri Oct 22 18:52:17 CDT 2004
DIALOG and Disccrs News
Oct. 22, 2004
BRINGING TOGETHER NATIONS TO CHECK EARTH'S PULSE
POWER-KICKS FROM A CRUSTACEAN LAND CAL SCIENTIST IN THE SPOTLIGHT
NOAA SEA GRANT REVIEW PROCESS
Donella Meadows Leadership Fellows Program
Now accepting applications for 2005-2006
Tenure-Track Position in Marine Science, U. Texas at Austin
Postdoctoral Researcher in Deep-Sea
Ecology/Biogeography, University of California at
San Diego
***************************************************
Science News
Check out this section both for news tidbits, and for
examples of how to communicate science to a non-scientist audience
BRINGING TOGETHER NATIONS TO CHECK EARTH'S PULSE
from The Washington Post (Registration Required)
To hear the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
tell it, NOAA represents America's best bet for solving widespread problems
including poor air quality and coping with an expanding global population.
"Almost everything you do, NOAA's connected to it," NOAA Administrator
Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr. said. "The ocean and the atmosphere, there's
only one other piece and that's solid earth. Seventy percent of the world
is ocean, and the atmosphere is 100 percent. We're talking about a
significant piece that nurtures life on Earth."
Lautenbacher, a retired three-star admiral, is working to transform a
12,500-person agency that has sometimes struggled to get attention into one
of the administration's key research branches. From assessing climate
change to providing transportation-related weather forecasts, Lautenbacher
is trying to position NOAA as an information center for U.S. and
international officials.
http://snipurl.com/9ut2
POWER-KICKS FROM A CRUSTACEAN LAND CAL SCIENTIST IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Profile from The San Francisco Chronicle
To be perfectly honest, Sheila Patek's parents didn't know what to do with
her. Growing up in New York, she was a little girl with energy to burn.
They gave her chores and jobs. She played the clarinet. From the time she
was 4 years old, she and her father would go for a run every morning. Even
Patek jokes that she was a "wacky, hyper child."
With one exception.
"I would spend hours in my parents' front yard," says Patek, "just sitting
and thinking about how things work."
Right. Like that was going to be helpful. What kind of job would she get
doing that? Yard-watcher? Professional thinker?
http://snipurl.com/9zi5
***************************************************
Forum
NOAA SEA GRANT REVIEW PROCESS
Your input is requested regarding nominations for
committee membership for an upcoming study being
conducted by the National Research Council's
Ocean Studies Board. Feel free to pass this memo
on to contacts who may have suggestions for
members with expertise in the areas mentioned
below.
Evaluation of the Sea Grant Program Review Process
In response to a Congressional request
(P.L. 107-299, the National Sea Grant College
Program Act Amendments of 2002), a committee of
approximately 12 members will be formed to
conduct a study to evaluate the Sea Grant program
review process. The committee will be formed
according to National Research Council (NRC)
guidelines regarding balance and conflict of
interest. In particular, we are seeking
suggestions for panel members with expertise in:
aquatic ecology; environmental engineering;
biological, physical and chemical oceanography;
sociology; and public administration; however, we
welcome all suggestions.
The committee will address the following Task:
This study will assess the procedures adopted by
the National Sea Grant Program since the
publication of the 1994 NRC report A Review of
NOAA National Sea Grant College Program.
Specifically, the study will:
· Study and review the changes in
procedures implemented by the National Sea Grant
College Program since the 1994 NRC report with
regard to individual program performance and
quality.
· Review the effectiveness of the
evaluation and rating system in determining
relative performance of programs with regard to
the management and quality of research,
education, extension, and training activities.
· Evaluate whether there have been
improvements in the individual Sea Grant programs
as a result of this process.
· Evaluate the current review procedures
for their ability to meaningfully segregate
individual programs into five categories.
· Compare the effectiveness of the previous
(1998-2002) review procedures to the current
(2003 and beyond) review procedures with regard
to the dual objectives of maximizing the quality
of each program and of rating programs relative
to each other for the purpose of determining
performance-based funding, including an:
o assessment of the usefulness and fairness
of metrics developed to evaluate programs with
different operational constraints, resources, and
local priorities;
o evaluation of metrics for relevance and clarity;
o determination of whether metrics provide
a quantitative measure of quality of performance;
and an
o assessment of whether metrics improve
consistency and objectivity of reviews from
different teams evaluating a diverse portfolio of
state Sea Grant programs.
· Make recommendations for improving the
overall effectiveness of the evaluation process
to ensure fairness, consistency, and enhancement
of performance.
Please send your nominations for the committee by
email or phone-be sure to include complete,
pertinent information (name, area of expertise,
affiliation, phone and/or email of nominees).
Please be aware that individuals employed by Sea
Grant and current members of the National Sea
Grant Review Panel (FACA panel) are ineligible
for membership on this committee. Nominations
should be sent to Ms. Nancy Caputo, Research
Associate
(<mailto:ncaputo at nas.edu>ncaputo at nas.edu;
202.334.2273) no later than October 25, 2004.
More information about the Ocean Studies Board
can be found at:
<http://dels.nas.edu/osb/>http://dels.nas.edu/osb/
For information about this project, please
contact Jennifer Merrill, Study Director
(<mailto:jmerrill at nas.edu>jmerrill at nas.edu;
202.334.2714).
Nancy A. Caputo (for Jennifer Merrill)
Research Associate
Ocean Studies Board
The National Academies
500 Fifth Street, N.W, Room 752
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 334-2273
(202) 334-2885 FAX
ncaputo at nas.edu
<http://www.dels.nas.edu/osb/>http://www.dels.nas.edu/osb/
***************************************************
Summer Programs, Courses, Internships, Meetings
Donella Meadows Leadership Fellows Program
Now accepting applications for 2005-2006
Sustainability Institute is now accepting
applications for the 2005-2006 class of Donella
Meadows Leadership Fellows.
The Donella Meadows Leadership Fellows Program
was launched in 2002 to honor and build on the
life example of Dr. Donella Meadows
(www.sustainer.org/meadows/) by empowering a new
generation of sustainability leaders to
incorporate systems thinking, reflection, and
vision in their work and life. The Fellows
Program seeks to increase the effectiveness of
people whose approach to sustainability displays
analytic clarity, systemic change, and attention
to spirit, values, and meaning. Making the shift
to a sustainable society involves changing
complex environmental, social, and economic
systems. This is a challenge that requires
strategic analysis and action coupled with
excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Donella's system tools enabled her to see clearly
the root causes of seemingly intractable problems
- poverty, war, environmental degradation - and
her deep affection for people and the earth gave
her a unique power to reach others.
The Fellowship integrates rigorous analysis with
skill in articulating feelings, values, and
vision because we believe that people with this
combination of talents, like Donella, are deeply
needed in the world. At least two-thirds of the
class will be women in order to support more
women becoming leaders in the field of
sustainability.
The Fellows Program trains sixteen to twenty
influential mid-career environmental and social
leaders in two-year programs of four workshops
and personal coaching. Fellows learn to analyze
an issue's drivers and then identify leverage
points and actions that would improve system
performance. Fellows complement the rigorous
analytical work with skills such as visioning,
inquiry, and personal reflection that are
critical for leading change in systems with
diverse goals and stakeholders. Coaching
throughout the two years focuses on Fellows'
application of the newly-acquired tools in their
workplace. Skill development includes systems
thinking, reflective conversation, personal
mastery, and leadership for sustainability.
Selected Fellows will be drawn from the NGO,
government, philanthropy, business, tribal, and
policy sectors. Criteria for selecting Fellows
include a desire to learn and apply systems
thinking, the ability to apply learning
organization methodology to one's work and home
institutions, a commitment to personal reflection
and growth, demonstrated leadership ability, and
the potential to influence thinking in wide
circles of people.
Logistics: Four 4-day workshops will be held at
the Cobb Hill Cohousing community
(www.cobbhill.org) that Donella co-founded in
Hartland, Vermont.
1st workshop: May 15-19, 2005
2nd workshop: October 16-20, 2005
2006 workshops dates will be decided in 2005.
Attendance at all four workshops, participation
in periodic coaching telephone conferences, and
completion of exercises between workshops is
mandatory.
Cost: Travel expenses, plus $400 per 4-day
workshop to cover meals, lodging, venue and
materials. Scholarships are available.
Sustainability Institute provides all workshop
coordination, design, curriculum and delivery.
Financial support for the 2005-2006 class of
Fellows so far is from the Morgan Family
Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation,
SEED Systems, Stonyfield Farm, Inc. and many
individuals.
Applicants should be active practitioners in
their field; applicants who are primarily
students, teachers or researchers will not be
accepted. This is not a train the trainer
program; it is designed to give hands-on
sustainability leaders tools to be more effective.
Application deadline is December 15, 2004. The
application form is available at
http://www.sustainer.org/.
See reports of previous workshops at: www.sustainer.org/fellows/reports.html
For details on how the first class of Fellows are
applying what they have learned see:
www.sustainer.org/fellows/currentwork.html
***************************************************
Jobs for PhDs
Postdoctoral Researcher in Deep-Sea
Ecology/Biogeography, University of California at
San Diego
An interdisciplinary project to build an information system for marine
ecology is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to conduct a case study on the
ecology/biogeography of seamounts using an existing database of seamount
sampling (SeamountsOnline: seamounts.sdsc.edu). The researcher will be
responsible for carrying out an ecological/biogeographical research project,
but will be expected to help guide the development of a larger aquatic
ecology information system by evaluating prototype tools and features, and
advising on desired features.
The ideal candidate will have a PhD in biological oceanography, marine
ecology, or a similar field (experience with deep-sea biology or
biogeography is a plus), and good quantitative/statistical skills.
Experience with database systems or website development would be beneficial,
but is not required. An inquiring mind and the ability to communicate with
an interdisciplinary team is a must. A candidate with a master’s degree and
relevant experience may also be considered.
This two-year position is located at the University of California at Diego
in sunny southern California. The project has ties to the Center for
Research in Biological Systems, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, and
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, providing a stimulating environment for
a marine scientist. Consideration of applications will begin immediately
and continue until a suitable candidate is found. The ability to start
quickly (within a few months) is important for this 2-year grant. Salary
will be commensurate with experience.
To apply send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for
three referees to Karen Stocks (kstocks at sdsc.edu).
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Karen Stocks, PhD
Assistant Research Scientist, San Diego Supercomputer Center
Lecturer, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Mailing Address:
University of California at San Diego
SDSC, MC 0505
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0505, USA
tel: +1 858 534-5009
fax: +1 858 822-3631
kstocks at sdsc.edu
http://seamounts.sdsc.edu
********************
Tenure-Track Position in Marine Science, U. Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin, Department of
Marine Science and Marine Science Institute
invite applications for a faculty position in
ecological modeling, such as but not limited to,
modeling ecosystems, wetlands, watershed-coastal
interactions, or estuarine processes. The
position is based at the Marine Science
Institute (www.utmsi.utexas.edu) in Port Aransas,
TX, and is at the rank of Assistant Professor in
the Department and Research Assistant Professor
in the Institute. Candidates must have a Ph.D.
degree at the time of appointment; postdoctoral
experience and a strong research and publication
record are preferred. The successful candidate
will be expected to develop an externally-funded
research program and contribute to graduate and
undergraduate education. Primary graduate
teaching responsibility will be in ecosystem
modeling. The position receives nine months of
annual salary support from the state. Applicants
should send a statement of research and teaching
interests (3 pages maximum), curriculum vitae,
and five letters of recommendation to: Search
Committee Chair, The University of Texas Marine
Science Institute, 750 Channel View Dr., Port
Aransas, Texas 78373-5015. The statement of
research interests should mention how the
research program would benefit from being based
on the Gulf Coast, and how the applicant might
interact with existing research programs. Review
of applications will start November 15, 2004 and
will continue until the position is filled.
Background check conducted on applicant selected.
The University of Texas at Austin is
an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
**************************************************
This newsletter has been developed by C. Susan
Weiler for the purpose of distributing
information of potential interest to recent PhDs
engaged in interdisciplinary aquatic science or
climate change research, and to build an
international sense of community among recent
grads. It provides an international forum for the
exchange of information and opinions regarding
research, professional and social issues.
The views and opinions expressed are strictly
those of C.S. Weiler or of the individual who has
submitted a particular item for distribution. The
opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect
those of the funding agencies or sponsoring
societies. Dr. Weiler serves as producer and
editor and reserves the right to edit or reject
material submitted to the list.
Please submit announcements of interest to recent
PhDs to phd at whitman.edu or weiler at whitman.edu.
For ease of transmission, please do not send
attachments. Send a short message in the body of
an e-mail message, and link to any appropriate
websites.
--
C. Susan Weiler, Ph.D.
Biology Department Tel: 509-527-5948
Whitman College Fax: 509-527-5961
Walla Walla, WA 99362
weiler at whitman.edu
Programs for Recent PhDs http://aslo.org/phd.html
Minorities in the Aquatic Sciences http://www.aslo.org/mas.html
DIALOG poster http://www.aslo.org/phd/dialogposter.pdf
DISCCRS poster http://www.aslo.org/phd/disccrsposter.pdf
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