• SEARCH Science Steering Committee (SSC)-Agency Meeting
  • 13–15 February 2012
  • Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
  • Franklin D Meeting Room, Lobby Level
  • 1201 K Street N.W.
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Final Agenda

Meeting Goals and Desired Outcomes:
The goal of the SEARCH meeting in February was for the SSC and agencies to translate the vision and 5-year science goals into action. The desired outcomes of the meeting were:

  1. Agreement between the SSC and IPMC on final 5-year science goals that align with agency missions and meet pressing scientific priorities.

  2. Agreement on a small set of initial pilot projects to implement portions of the 5-year goals.

  3. Agreement on an overall implementation strategy for SEARCH, which will be developed into a detailed implementation plan after the meeting.

Time Event
Monday, 13 February 2012
9:00 a.m.

Welcome & Introductions (Hajo Eicken)

  • Welcome, Introductions, and What We Need to Get Done Download Presentation (PDF - 816 KB)
  • SEARCH History, Activities, and Future Directions. Including updates on:
    • Arctic Observing Network (AON) activities and AON Design and Implementation
    • Understanding Change Task Force
    • Responding to Change/International Study of Arctic Change
    • Data Coordination
  • Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Activities and Directions (Brendan P. Kelly, IARPC/OSTP and Simon Stephenson, NSF)
9:45 a.m.

5-Year Goals and Objectives (Break as needed)

Discussion and refinement of SEARCH 5-Year Goals and Objectives. For each goal, discuss:

  1. What is the rationale for its inclusion as a priority goal?
  2. How well (or not) does it align with agency missions?
  3. What current or planned agency activities could contribute to achieving the goal?
  4. Are they achievable through a multi-agency effort in a 5-year timeframe? If not, how can it be changed accordingly?
  5. As appropriate, discuss recommendations for AON Coordination Workshop related to each goal
  • Goal #1: Improve Understanding and Prediction of Sea Ice Changes and the Consequences for Ecosystems, Human Activities, and Climate Discussion Lead: Janet Intrieri
  • Goal #2: Understand the Consequences of the Loss of Shallow Permafrost on Arctic and Global Systems Discussion Leads: Breck Bowden and Dave McGuire
  • Goal #3: Improve Predictions of Future Land-ice Loss and Impacts on Sea Level Discussion Lead: Bob Bindschadler
  • Goal #4: Analyze Societal and Policy Implications of Arctic Environmental Change Discussion Leads: Susan Crate and Larry Hamilton
  • Discuss and explore any agency priorities that are not included in the draft goals
Action: Agreement by SSC and IPMC on SEARCH 5-year science goals and objectives (can continue after lunch, if needed)
12:00 p.m. Lunch (On your own)
1:30 p.m.

Pilot Projects

  • Discuss 2-3 possible "pilot projects" – projects of a smaller scope that will contribute to the SEARCH goals and that can test mechanisms for SEARCH implementation. The SEARCH SSC will circulate ideas for pilot projects before the meeting, and agency representatives are encouraged to circulate ideas, as well. Discussion of pilot projects will highlight some of the issues for broader SEARCH implementation.
  • Discuss expansion of the Sea Ice Outlook and Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook as potential pilot projects
  • Open brainstorming for pilot projects.
5:00 p.m.

Adjourn for the Day

Time Event
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
9:00 a.m.

Pilot Projects (continue discussion from yesterday, if needed)

Action: Agreement by SSC and IPMC on 2-3 pilot projects to pursue and next steps.
11:00 a.m.

Broader Implementation Strategy for SEARCH Goals

As SEARCH enters a new phase of implementation with focused goals, the SEARCH community and agencies need to decide how the SEARCH goals should be implemented.

  • What would a successful SEARCH program look like? For SEARCH overall and for the SEARCH goals, how would we define success? What can we do that wouldn’t be accomplished otherwise without SEARCH?
  • What types of activities or projects would need to happen to get there (e.g., synthesis, coordination, capacity building, new science efforts)? What should SEARCH do?
  • What mechanisms will work for multi-agency cooperation? What are the roles of the IPMC, IARPC, USARC, and other entities? How can we improve communication on what agencies are doing on various topics? What funding mechanisms can be used to support SEARCH activities?
  • What kind of organizational structure is needed? (e.g., internal and external committees, working groups, partnerships, oversight, review, communication, science management support)
12:00 p.m. Lunch (On your own)
1:00 p.m.

Implementation Strategy (Continued, with break-out groups if needed)
5:00 p.m.

Adjourn for Day

Time Event
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
9:00 a.m.

Broader Implementation Strategy for SEARCH (Continue from yesterday)

Action: Agreement by SSC and IPMC on a broad implementation strategy and next steps for developing a full implementation plan, including a funding strategy.
10:30 a.m.

AON Workshop

  • Arctic Observing Network (AON) March 2012 Coordination Workshop
    • Discuss plans and status of March AON Coordination Workshop, specifically the guiding questions and break-out topics
    • Discuss desired workshop outcomes

Action: Recommendations by the SSC and IPMC on specific desired outcomes of the workshop, to forward to the workshop Organizing Committee.
11:00 a.m.

Wrap-Up

  • Wrap-up of main meeting session – reminder of actions, next steps (30 minutes)
12:00 p.m. Main Meeting Sessions Adjourn
12:30 p.m.

SSC Executive Session (with working lunch)

  • SSC business, SEARCH support, other items as needed
2:30 a.m.

SSC Executive Session Adjourns