scb social science working group 2006 business meeting sswg: strengthening conservation social...
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SCB Social Science Working Group2006 Business Meeting
SSWG: strengthening conservation social science and its application to conservation practice.
June 26, 2006
www.conbio.org/WorkingGroups/SSWG
Agenda
SSWG overview– Mission– History– Finances
Committee reports
Questions/feedback
Other issues or ideas?
SSWG Social
SSWG mission & vision
The mission of the SSWG is to strengthen conservation social science and its application to conservation practice.
In five years, we envision:– conservation social science fully integrated within the structure,
activities, and membership of SCB
– increased social science awareness and capacity among conservation scientists and practitioners;
– widespread recognition of the SSWG as the leading organization for integration of social science into the science and practice of biodiversity conservation.
SSWG goals
The SSWG has three principal goals:
1. Advance the development and dissemination of social scientific knowledge relevant to the conservation of biological diversity.
2. Foster the use of social scientific knowledge to resolve conservation problems.
3. Develop and carry out organizational core functions efficiently and effectively.
SSWG history
2002 – People & Conservation meeting theme
2003 – Published “Conservation and the Social Sciences”
– Organized SCB social science workshop
– Social Science Working Group (SSWG) established
– Email discussion list launched
– Website launched
– Christensen Foundation grant ($12,000)
SSWG history (cont’d)
2004– Bylaws adopted
– Organized SCB workshop
– Held 1st business meeting
– Interim Board established
2005– Board elected
– 9 Committees launched
– Awarded 5 travel grants & 12 SCB memberships
– Organized 2 SCB sessions• Conservation and the Social Sciences: Lessons from the Field
• Social Science Tools for Conservation Practitioners: Current Opportunities and Future Directions
SSWG Board (2005-2006)
Officers– President – Mike Mascia– Vice-President – Rich Wallace– Secretary – Nejem Raheem– Chief Financial Officer – Oliver Pergams
Committee Chairs– Audit – Carol Saunders– Communications – Nejem Raheem– Conservation – Diane Russell– Education – William Forbes– Membership – Peter Wilshusen– Nominations – Katrina Brandon– Policy – Jennifer Jones– Program – Rich Wallace– Student Affairs – Josh Drew
Recent history
2006– Annual work plan completed
– Silas Siakor awarded Goldman prize for Africa
– SSWG recognized for leadership
SSWG current finances
$9,708.19
$654.00
$1,637.81
Student Travel Awards
Student SCB Memberships
Remaining Christiansen Funds
Allocation of $12,000 Christiansen Award
SSWG future finances
• Christensen represents sole funding source– Activities conducted strictly on volunteer basis
• Need to decide:– How to allocate remaining $1600 Christiansen funds
– If we want to award additional moneys
– If we will have activities that require additional funds
• If additional funding required, possible sources include:– Seeking donations
– Writing grants
Committee reports
• Membership • Program • Policy• Conservation• Education• Student Affairs• Communication• Audit• Nominations
Membership Committee
Mission the Membership Committee coordinates general SSWG membership activities.
Committee Members – Peter Wilshusen, Bucknell University (chair)– Brian Czech, Virginia Tech (chair elect)– David Bray, Florida International Univ.– Jan van der Ploeg, Leiden Univ.
Activities – Expand SSWG membership – Develop online directory of conservation social scientists.– Engage membership
SSWG membership
June 1, 2006# Members 591# Countries represented 52# Student members 111
SSWG membership (2004-present)
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SSWG membership (cont’d)
SSWG MembershipJune 1, 2006
USA
ChinaBrazil
BoliviaAustraliaS Africa
India Other
MexicoKenya
Canada
United Kingdom
Country Members
USA 428
Canada 27
United Kingdom 14
Mexico 11
Kenya 7
S Africa 6
Australia 5
Bolivia 5
Brazil 5
China 5
India 5
Other 72
Expand SSWG Membership
• Work with Communications Committee to develop information sheet & message.
• Solid foundation based in individual recruiting efforts.
• Next step: launch wider communications/membership campaign to tap potential.
• Near term goal: 1,000 members for South Africa meeting.
Online Expert Directory
• Initial discussions with SCB membership administrator
• Existing directory on SCB website
• Search for (volunteer) assistance
Engage Membership
• Work with Communications Committee: information available on website.
• Listserve: expand discussion.
• Expand group member involvement in SSWG activities.
Program Committee
Mission– create forums and mechanisms for information exchange
and learning within SCB, with other professional societies, and within SCB journals.
Committee members – Richard Wallace (chair), Ursinus College
– Andrew Millington, Texas A&M University
– Murray Rudd, Memorial University of Newfoundland
– Christopher Vaughn, University of Reading
SCB Annual Meetings & Section Meetings
SCB internal involvement
Working with Board of Governors to integrate social science into the workings of the Society
Social science in Conservation Biology
Conservation social science pubsScientific articles addressing social aspects of
biodiversity conservation, 1980-present
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Conservation BiologySociety & Natural Resources
Biological ConservationBiodiversity And Conservation
Landscape And Urban PlanningEnvironmental ManagementEnvironmental Conservation
Ecological EconomicsAmbio
Journal Of Environmental ManagementHuman Ecology
Ecological ApplicationsMolecular EcologyForestry Chronicle
Ocean & Coastal ManagementAgriculture Ecosystems & Environment
Wildlife Society BulletinForest Ecology And Management
World DevelopmentHuman Organization
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London-Series B
Jou
rnal
Articles published
Collaborate with other professional societies
United States Society for Ecological Economics
Policy Committee
Missionto aid conservation decision-makers inside and outside of government by developing scientific briefs, position statements, and other resource materials.
Activities focus on two general policy arenas:1. Policy interventions introducing scientific knowledge and methodology into
conservation policy. 2. Policy interventions advocating specific conservation actions by governments or
other major institutions.
Committee members– Jennifer Jones, International Honors Program (chair)– Dan Brockington, U. of Manchester– Barend Erasmus, U. of Witswatersrand– Kristin Carden, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
We welcome new members to the Policy Committee!
Develop protocol for policy engagement
Two categories of policy interventions – Strategic policy activities
• annual policy plan – Externally-driven, ad hoc issues
• Evaluation criteria of ad hoc issues• Possible SSWG responses to ad hoc issues
Moving forward
– Protocols and guidelines finalized by August 2006
– Draft Annual Policy Plan by October 2006
Coordinate with SCB Policy Committee (PC)
Strong relationship with SCB PC and BOG
– Injecting social science into overall SCB
– SSWG as a resource for informing larger SCB Policy
Moving forward
– Ongoing coordination with SCB PC
– Submit draft yearly SSWG Policy Plan
– Develop SSWG expertise roster (We Need You!)
Develop & disseminate resource materials
Goals– Deliverables consistent with SSWG Strategic Policy Plan– Develop a few targeted high-impact products– Identify and catalyze member-driven resources– Review externally-driven potential materials
Moving forward– Identify issues that merit development via Policy Plan– Review & disseminate draft resource materials (Dec 2006; deliver 2007)
Conservation Committee
MissionThe SSWG Conservation Committee develops resource materials and conducts activities to build social science capacity among conservation practitioners.
Committee membership– Diane Russell, USAID (chair)– Rodolfo Tello, U. of Maryland– Nora Haenn, Arizona State University– Derick Fay, U. of California-Berkeley– Michael Johnson, USDA– Jenny Springer, WWF-US– Chuck Willer, Coast Range Association– Mark Calamia, U. of Colorado-Boulder
Activities – Compile & disseminate conservation social science tools– Develop the conservation social science virtual resource center (VRC)– http://wwfblogs.org/rodolfo/toolkit.htm– Hold capacity building workshops as needed
Education Committee
Mission– the SSWG Education Committee creates forums and mechanisms for information
exchange and learning among educators and researchers.
Committee members– Bill Forbes, Stephen F. Austin U. (chair)– Rinku Chowdhury, U. Miami– Stephen Williams, Earthwatch– Atlaf Hussain– Dyana LaRosa, Stephen F. Austin U.
Activities– Compile conservation social science syllabi– Develop series of conservation social science working papers– Develop short courses in conservation social science
Compile conservation social science syllabi
Collected 24 syllabi– Anthropology: 4– Economics: 1– Geography: 3– Political Science: 0– Psychology: 4– Sociology: 4– Interdisciplinary: 4
Additional syllabi needed– submit to Bill Forbes, Education Chair ([email protected])
Develop working papers series
Goal – provide a forum for conservation social science research, especially
successful application of social science tools and approaches to conservation policy and practice.
– promote current research in the final stages of completion
Draft guidelines– Submissions reviewed for appropriate content– No official peer review– Follow Conservation Biology guidelines– Papers reside on SSWG website indefinitely– Author retains copyright & authority to remove the paper– Replies encouraged (post on website? SSWG discussion list?)
More information: Bill Forbes, Education Chair ([email protected])
Develop short courses
SCB 2006– Conservation Economics– Community Conservation
SCB 2007– Practitioner focus?– Build on existing programs– Africa-relevant topics
Student Affairs Committee
Missionrepresent student interests and coordinate SSWG activities designed to meet student needs
Committee members– Joshua Drew, Boston University (Chair)– Kate Bigney, Dalhousie University– Adam Henne, University of Georgia– Valerie Hickey, Duke University– Shawn Margles, Antioch New England Institute– Nejem Raheem, University of New Mexico– Jen Shaffer, University of Georgia– Sandra Znajda, Dalhousie University
Who we are
• 111 students
• 27 Countries represented
• 6 regions
SSWG student membership (2006-present)
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What have we done?• Built a network of conservation students
• Developed a tool kit for graduate students interested in trans-disciplinary conservation
• Prepared a manuscript for publication
• Compiled job and funding opportunities– Over 60 employment opportunities from internships to directorships
– Over 20 funding opportunities across the globe
What is left to do?
• Continue to increase student numbers
• Increase geographic representation
• Update and expand databases
• Build capacity across disciplinary boundaries for future conservation work
• Formalize internship opportunities
Communications CommitteeMission
– Coordinate SSWG general communication efforts
Committee members– Nejem Raheem, U. New Mexico (Chair)– Sheri Stephanson, Grameen Foundation– Nathalie Walker, Greenpeace– Kirsten Neke– Anybody want to join?
Current activities: – Communications strategy– SSWG website – SSWG discussion list – SCB newsletter– Outreach materials
Proposed Communications Strategy
Expand communications committee and outlets
Strengthen written and visual aesthetic
Decide…– What do we communicate?
– Where and how will we communicate?
– Who will play what roles?
SSWG website
Website updated and redesigned: www.conbio.org/workinggroups/sswg
Recent additions:– CSS syllabi (if you teach, or know of any, please contribute)– graduate student toolkit
Future additions: – CSS Toolkit (if you have any ideas, please contribute)– Expert Directory – Funding Opportunities
Discussion List
SSWG discussion list membership (2004-present)
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Discussion List
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Other
Group discussion
Group query
Course/Field School
Internships
Grants
Awards
PhD Studentship
Conference
J ob
April 2006– Messages: 104– Messagers: 12
• 10 US• 1 UK• 1 Sweden
This has improved lately but we still need more participation!
SSWG newsletter
Regular contributions to SCB newsletter
Keep the community updated about our doings
Recent highlights include “Conservation Social Science: What’s in the Black Box?”
Send submissions to [email protected]
SSWG outreach materials
We have:– created the 2-pager you hold in your hands
– Sent out material to various professional organizations
We are working on several topic-specific fliers for different committees
Can you think of any group we should reach?
Contact: [email protected]
Audit Committee
Mission– the Audit Committee coordinates internal oversight of SSWG accounting
and financial reporting processes.
Members– Carol Saunders (chair), Chicago Zoological Society– Amara Brook, Santa Clara University– John Fraser, Wildlife Conservation Society
Activities– Review 2005 SSWG financial statements– Develop format for SSWG Annual Report
Audited Statement of ActivitiesJanuary 1 – December 2005
INCOME
Grants 12,000.00
EXPENSES
Student travel/registration 9,708.19
Student memberships &
subscriptions 654.00
Total Expenses 10,362.19
Net Assets at beginning of year $ 12,000.00
Net Assets at end of year $ 1,637.81
Annual Report format ideasProposed audiences
– Current SSWG members– Future SSWG members; – Current & Potential donors
Timeframe – Calendar year
Page one – Mission of SSWG– List of committees & members
Committee reports– One page for each committee – Provide detail of accomplishments toward work plan goals (narrative &
figures)
Summary of SSWG finances for the fiscal year
Nominations Committee
Missioncoordinate SSWG activities associated with SSWG and SCB
elections.
Committee members– Katrina Brandon, Conservation International (chair)– Volunteers welcome!
Activities – Manage 2006 SSWG Board elections– Develop selection criteria for SSWG Board candidates– Coordinate SSWG input into SCB BoG & Section elections
Manage SSWG Board elections2006 Elections
– 4 seats open
• Political Science– Mike Mascia
• Economics– Nejem Raheem– Brian Czech– Murray Rudd
• 2 At-large (inc. 1 student)– Josh Drew (student)– Jennifer Jones– Amber Himes – Kunga Ngece Nicholas– Patricia Zaradic
Questions?
Other Ideas???
What further steps should the SSWG take to strengthen the contribution of social science to
conservation?
2003 & 2004 Workshop Recommendations
1. **Add language to SCB’s mission & aims2. **Add language into SCB’s values & ethics3. *Develop social science tools for practitioners4. Co-author interdisciplinary articles5. Flag social science-relevant ConBio articles w/keywords6. *Document social science applications to conservation practice7. Develop best practices8. **Give a paper or host a small symposium at Annual Meeting9. Help define key conservation research questions10. Develop ‘policy statement’ on role of the social sciences11. **Nominate social science representative to SCB BOG12. Identify barriers, & strategies for overcoming them, through case studies. 13. Cross-disciplinary graduate training programs14. Collaborate to build a shared vocabulary 15. Lobby for interdisciplinary research funding & rewards
2005 Business Meeting recommendations
16. **Host symposium & workshop @ SCB 200617. *Develop more effective definitions for social science terms and tools18. Articles in Conservation Biology and Conservation in Practice should list
social science key words.19. *Use the SSWG web page for both marketing & communications. 20. Develop SSWG website links to social science websites and networks to
help expand the community.21. *Prepare a SSWG member directory
Ideas 2006
1. HD.gov
Next steps
• Follow up email to participants & email list
• Dialogue w/BoG, Sections, & executive office
• Dialogue w/2007 organizers
• SSWG Social!
• Other?
SSWG Social!
TONIGHT!!! 6:00 – 8:00 PMCity Bar & Grill
Hilton Hotel lobby
All are welcome -- hope to see you there!
2005 Student membership awards – Amgalan Bayasgalan, Nat. U. Mongolia– Henning DeKlerk, Rhodes U. (S. Africa)– Erwin Brunio, U. Philippines– Ezequiel Fabiano, U. KwaZulu-Natal (Angola)– Jose Flores, U. Autonoma Metropolitana (Mexico)– Llewellyn Foxcroft, U. CapeTown (S. Africa)– Japhet Mwanang’ombe, College of African Wildlife Mgmt (Tanzania)– Ngwenya Msawenkosi, U. Kent (Namibia)– Bruno Nhancale, U. Mondlane (Mozambique)– Mxolisi Sibanda, U. Witatrsrand (S. Africa)– Carlos Tapia, U. Georgia (Colombia)– Yao Wang, U. Internat’l Business & Econ. (China)
2005 annual meeting travel grants– Biatus Bito, professional, Papua-New Guinea– Alfonso Gonzales, professional, Mexico – Silas Siakor, professional, Liberia– Joseph Tanui, professional, Uganda– Nejem Raheem, student, USA