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Assessing the Effectiveness of the Iraqi Scientist Engagement Program

Official Use Only. Assessing the Effectiveness of the Iraqi Scientist Engagement Program. Ann-Marie B. Dake John P. Knezovich William E. Nebo. Department of Energy Human Subjects Working Group Meeting November 13 , 2009.

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Assessing the Effectiveness of the Iraqi Scientist Engagement Program

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  1. Official Use Only Assessing the Effectiveness of the Iraqi Scientist Engagement Program Ann-Marie B. Dake John P. Knezovich William E. Nebo Department of Energy Human Subjects Working Group Meeting November 13 , 2009 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P. O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551 This work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344

  2. Background • Iraqi Scientist Engagement Program (ISEP) • Designed to redirect former WMD scientists toward civilian work as well as engage scientists, technicians, and engineers (STEs) with WMD-applicable skill sets • By engaging former WMD scientists, as well as STEs with dual-use knowledge, ISEP is an essential part of the U.S. government’s multi-layered approach to prevent the spread of WMD • ISEP can help transform Iraqi science into a positive economic and political force upon which the Iraqi economy can thrive

  3. Study Objectives and Goals • Phase I: Assess the effectiveness of the Iraqi Scientist Engagement Program (ISEP) • Phase II: Elucidate the professional, political, and economic beliefs of Iraqi scientists and advance the understanding of their views well beyond what we now know in the existing literature • Long-term goal: Provide policymakers with a more solid empirical basis to assess existing programs, devise new initiatives, and choose among different policy options in the immediate future

  4. Study Description/Hypothesis – Phase I • Seek and understand the effectiveness of Department of State (DOS) nonproliferation program • Ask program recipients questions about the program itself in order to assess the effectiveness of the program so that DOS can make programmatic improvements to ensure the program’s success • Test whether ISEP is helping to keep Iraqi scientists gainfully employed in Iraq so that they do not feel the need to sell their knowledge to terrorists or countries of concern to the US • Employ a methodological approach that will provide an important baseline understanding of the program to date as well as help program managers develop a comprehensive exit strategy

  5. Experimental Design – Phase I • Conduct in-depth interviews with approximately twelve (12) Iraqi scientists in order to explore the program participants’ views on a variety of issues • Interviews will be conducted in the “Green Zone” at a U.S. military facility. Iraqi citizens who interact or work with the U.S. are frequently targeted by terrorists groups in Iraq. However, these Iraqis have willingly chosen to participate in this U.S. program. At the same time, ISEP has taken every precaution to protect the connection between these scientists and the US. ISEP will assist in setting up the interviews and will continue their practice of providing coverage regarding the relationship • Prepare, using the in-depth interviews, a survey instrument to be administered to all ISEP program recipients and additional scientists Understanding the views of scientists outside the program may provide a baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of the program. This will form the basis for Phase II of the study

  6. Experimental Design – Phase II • Third-party (Turkish) survey research firm will conduct interviews in Iraq using Iraqi citizens • LLNL team with meet with and attend survey research team’s training session, most likely in Istanbul • Inclusion of up to 450 volunteers (non-ISEP scientists) • By using trained Iraqis, the "connection with the US will not be apparent and there should be no additional risk to the human subjects”

  7. Informed Consent – Phase II • The subjects will be asked if they wish to participate in completing a questionnaire • No written consent form • IRB Consideration: Should there be a waiver of documentation of informed consent?

  8. Issues Raised at Board Meeting • John and Ann-Marie to review Phase I action item issues on behalf of the Board • PI to return to Board for Phase II (ad hoc IRB meeting will be convened, if necessary) • Payment (incentive/coercive?) • $50 to the twelve (12) scientists in Phase I for their participation in the study • Monetary or other type of gift for Phase II participants • Deception involving Phase II? • How will subjects be recruited? • Opt-out mechanisms? • Board will need to review survey instruments prior to approval

  9. Issues of Concern • What is safety in a country currently engaged in a war? • What role does the IRB have in protecting the subjects and protecting the investigators? • Is the Green Zone safe? • Does deception provide safety in this case? • Is this study human terrain mapping?

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