“on-call” scientists an initiative of the aaas science and human rights program jessica wyndham,...
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“On-call” Scientists
An initiative of the AAAS Science and Human Rights
Program
Jessica Wyndham, Project Director
AAAS Science and Human Rights Program
January 22, 2010
AAAS Science and Human Rights Program
I. Scientists for Human Rights*
II. Science for Human Rights
III. Human Rights and the Conduct of Science
IV. Science as a Human Right
Science and Human Rights Program
“On-call” Scientists
WHAT: A network of scientists ready to volunteer their time and expertise to human rights organizations
WHY: To enable human rights organizations to obtain the scientific expertise they require, and give scientists opportunity to contribute to human rights work
Science and Human Rights Program
“On-call” Scientists
WHO: ▪ Almost 370 volunteers
▪ Behavioral, life, physical, and social scientists, as
well as engineers, technicians, medical
professionals, and public health practitioners
▪ In over 25 countries
Science and Human Rights Program
“On-call” Scientists
HOW: ▪ Online registration system ▪ Clarification of needs ▪ Experts identified: from database or independent search ▪ Interviews ▪ Match made ▪ Evaluation
Science and Human Rights Program
“On-call” Scientists
WEB-BASED INTERFACE:
Online registration system How scientists can help Matching process FAQs Our policies Expectations of volunteers and hosts Terms and conditions
Science and Human Rights Program
First completed project …
Science and Human Rights Program
National Economic and Social Rights Initiative
Project: Assess cost-benefit of human right to healthcare
Location: Montana, USA
Scientist: Economist
Product: Report: Cost-Benefit Analysis –Treating Health Care as a Human Right in
Montana
Physicians for Human RightsProject: Document evidence of
torture to support asylum applications
Location: USAScientists: Health practitioners (10)
Current projects …
Science and Human Rights Program
Global RightsProject: Assess impact of extractive
industries on local communities
Location: Congo, DRC, GuineaScientists: Geologists, child
psychologist (3) Montana Innocence Project
Project: Conduct handwriting analysis, DNA
testing, forensic anthropology, crime scene reconstruction
Location: Montana, USAScientist: Forensic scientists
RFK Memorial, Center for Human Rights
Project: Assess cost of rebuilding public infrastructure
post- hurricane Katrina
Location: Gulf states, USAScientist: Economist (1)
“On-call” Scientists
CHALLENGES:
Defining role of AAAS Clarifying scope and focus of the initiative No funding for projects Managing expectations of volunteers Outreach to the human rights community
Science and Human Rights Program
