Summer Camp for Smart Kids

2007 Summer WAS*IS

R e a l l y

We are changing the weather enterprise by comprehensively and sustainably integrating

social science into meteorological research and practice. (expect new update to this from Ivan et

al)

• Human impact on the environment• Risks/hazards for humans• Relationships of env. Issues to political, economic, cultural processes

1) Role of S&T in production of knowledge about nature2) Human/animal relationships

WE ARE Integrating social science into the

Weather Enterprise

We are part of a growing

community of people

passionate about &

dedicated to this

We recognize that (meteorology +

hydrology + social science)

> sum of its parts!

Moving ahead requires collaboration across the WEATHER ENTERPRISE!

We address societal impacts in real & sustained ways

Barriers WAS*ISers are overcoming

1. POWERlessness: I want to do it but I don’t know how – we have knowhow!

2. Social science methods are a mystery – NO They are NOT

3. Surveys are not encouraged – we have partners who can help

4. Disciplinary blinders – excitement about collaborations & new tools

Moving from WAS to IS……is not an instant transition! You Moving from WAS to IS……is not an instant transition! You realize the joys of CONNECTING WITH STAKEHOLDERSrealize the joys of CONNECTING WITH STAKEHOLDERS

5. I can’t do it right so I won’t do it at all – Need for “Satisficing”! We are always moving ahead as Rebecca Jennings says – “baby steps”

6. It’s not in my job description - How can we foster greater partnerships to solve important problems?

WAS*IS ers emerge as charismatic policy

entrepreneurs

Barriers WAS*ISers confronted

Some SUMMER WAS*IS measures of success -- Toward culture change

1. A new community of scholars & practitioners – use each other’s materials! – use the email list , invite each other to give talks to your colleagues! Provide peer mentoring!

2. Examples of new alliances/removed barriers

3. Practical new & tried methods

Wear your button proudly & display on your powerpoints

Our language is changing

• We learned words we can’t use, i.e. Harvesting.

• We learned to focus on lives saved rather than lives lost

• We recognize we need to tell the stories!• We are ready to proceed TOGETHER – weather

enterprise ---public & private! • We understand more about the publics!

– who sometimes have very high expectations – Remember the the immortal words to The

Weather Channel whose forecast for the high temperature was off by 2 degrees –” I’ll have to let you go”

Other indications of successYou see each other in new

ways

You are brave

Exposure to new methods - GIS, qualitative research, risk communication, discourse analysis, interviewing techniques, economics

From our speakers & our own interactions we learned more about substance & styleshould we worry???

Frustration of not being able to cover everything important including…

• International case studies• Learning from work on agriculture• Climate Change/Societal impacts work

–lots we don’t need to reinvent• So many others…..

SYNERGIES of WAS* IS

Invented creative, previously unimagined new tools, case studies, & implementation strategies

Life - long commitment from many vantage points – researchers, practitioners, various backgrounds, public & private

Some of what we will do next

• Building the case for a NWS regional societal impacts scientist

• Integrate social science into NWS inundation mapping

• Quick response proposals to build collaborations

• So many more

What’s next -- under the WAS*IS Umbrella• Advanced WAS*ISes – FIRST ONE IS ALREADY A REALITY

–THANKS TO YOUR HARD WORK & VISION

• Moving from WAS to IS beyond weather to hydrology, emergency management, climate, and other fields

• Capstone courses in physical science programs

• Ethnography of National Weather Service

• Evaluation of WAS * IS success

• Annual WAS * IS workshops – ENCOURAGE YOUR COLLEAGUES TO APPLY

• WAS*IS for introducing meteorology to social scientists – for stronger partnerships

Summer WAS*IS particularities• Climate scientists, anthropologists & more

private sector meteorologists were a pleasure -- & and add so much

• Physical scientists can throw around the term “discourse analysis” and know what it means

• We know how to conduct interviews – we will learn from fisheries

• And of course we will all visit Dan Stillman when we come to DC

Summer WAS*IS W R A P

Commitment to Change!

• The ELITE, BEST & the BRIGHTEST

• Remind your colleagues about your new ideas, opportunities, & partnerships

Wouldn’t have happened without WAS * IS

The Fairy Tale comes true

Thanks to US Weather Research Program

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) The National Center for Atmospheric Research

JEFF LAZO & the Societal Impacts Program (SIP)

Everyone of YOU who have inspired & assisted to make WAS*ISWAS*IS a reality

WAS * IS is brewing--- We look forward to continuing to work TOGETHER

Powerful things have happened…. We have moved from WAS……

This is not a workshop where NOTHING lasts- - Energetic WAS*ISers…you’ve got MOMENTUM & STRATEGIES

Wouldn’t have happened without WAS * IS

MODEST GOAL –

CHANGING the culture from WASWAS to IS

What did the most influential players look like in meteorology

prior to 2006 WAS*IS?

WAS * ISers are NOT the same old guys with new toys

Some of what’s said in Boulder stays in Boulder

Some of what’s said in Boulder is heard around the world!

This is more than a summer romanceThis is the REAL THING… looking forward to many new collaborativeprojects

AIM HIGH