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What I am Learning about Working for a Science Based Service Agency

What I am Learning about Working for a Science Based Service Agency. LaDon Swann Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium and Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center. Sea Grant is a Boundary Organization.

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What I am Learning about Working for a Science Based Service Agency

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  1. What I am Learning about Working for a Science Based Service Agency LaDon Swann Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium and Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center

  2. Sea Grant is a Boundary Organization • Boundary organizations are “formal relational structures” that create linkages across traditional boundaries • such as the boundaries between science and policy. • Reputation of neutrality, impartiality, and credibility • Built through 48 years of scientific integrity and • “boots on the ground” community presence

  3. 2014 Social Network Analysis of Oil Spill Information Sea Grant

  4. Seafood Safety • When sensory tested samples are acceptable, verify sensory testing outcomes with chemical analyses. • Failed sensory: Closure • Passed sensory still meant chemical analysis • There was no credible data to support claims made by some that seafood was tainted. • Then why was it so difficult for some groups to believe that seafood was safe? • Lingering questions about long-term impacts to fisheries.

  5. It was really hard to resist the temptation to debate groups with different agendas

  6. Finding Common Ground:Neutrality in Action

  7. Coastal Tourism • Tourism industry relied heavily on trajectory maps. • Every day the prediction was missed negatively affected the tourism economy. • Lingering questions about toxicity of tar balls, mats of submerged oil, hurricanes, disperants, etc.

  8. Mental Health and Well-Being

  9. Peer-to-Peer Listening • Mr. Allen Kruse’s suicide on June 24, 2010. • Regional program that evolved from Exxon Valdez • Sea Grant, academia and mental health agencies partnership • Trained more than 3000 peer-to-peer listeners

  10. Conclusion • The legal structure of OPA and other authorities led to missed opportunities to use boundary organizations like Sea Grant and Land Grant. • However, GoMRI is taking advantage of Sea Grant Extension networks with their research program. • It is not always the one in front of the camera that coastal residents go to for credible information. • Asked to validate every damming media story about fisheries or tourism, regardless of the source. • Improve trajectory models • Create Independent Seafood Safety Data Review Panel • The claims process is still a common question asked by affected industries.

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