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This report provides a summary of the findings and recommendations from the CIFAR review conducted during the NOAA-SAB meeting. The review highlights the high-quality research performed through NOAA-U Alaska collaboration, addressing NOAA Strategic Plan goals. It also emphasizes the need for establishing a science advisory group, conducting outreach activities, and exploring collaboration opportunities with stakeholders and users. Recommendations include ensuring sufficient staffing for CIFAR and improving the accounting for separate funding functions.
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CIFAR Review Report John Weatherly, CRREL Review Panel Chair NOAA SAB Meeting Nov 2-4
CIFAR Review : June 3-4 2004 U. Alaska Fairbanks • Panel: • Dr. John Weatherly, CRREL (chair) • Dr. Gunnar Knapp, U. Alaska Anchorage • Dr. Elisabeth Logerwell, Alaska Fisheries Science Center • Ms. Molly Maccammon, Alaska Ocean Observing System • Dr. Thomas A. Schroeder (Ex Officio), NOAA Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawaii NOAA SAB Meeting Nov 2-4
Review Process • Briefings by outgoing director G. Weller, exec. Dir. P. Anderson, new Director John Walsh, Univ. of Alaska provost, IARC director • Briefing notebook material in advance • Open session with US Arctic Research Commission • Briefings from CIFAR PIs, Q&A with NOAA Program managers • Poster session , discussions with PIs • Research topics • Climate change, Sea ice retreat and Arctic/ Alaska Impacts (ACIA) • Tsunami research and warning system • Ocean sciences - Bering Sea and western Arctic, US-Russian cruise in 2004. • Stellar sea lion, Alaskan salmon NOAA SAB Meeting Nov 2-4
Summary of Findings • High quality research performed through NOAA- U Alaska collaboration, addressing NOAA Strategic Plan goals. • NOAA Arctic Research Office PM and host laboratory PMEL have been satisfied with CIFAR research and collaboration. • Highly visible outreach (on int’l media) on science addressing public issues – global climate change, sea ice retreat, tsunamis, Bering Sea ecosystem • Adequate funding of UA graduate students and PIs • Wide support for for incoming director John Walsh, with concern over division of labor between positions at IARC, Univ. of Alaska • Successful flexibility in supporting staff and programs funded by NOAA, U. Alaska NOAA SAB Meeting Nov 2-4
Summary of Recommendations 1. A CIFAR science advisory group should be established to plan research directions - include NOAA scientists, program managers and University of Alaska researchers. This group should have discussions with ongoing research planning efforts ( such as the Alaska Ocean Observing System), and related NOAA joint institutes. 2. CIFAR should meet with the “users” and “stakeholders” affected by the research themes (such as resource managers, policy makers, and residents) to discuss research needs, products and potential benefits. NOAA SAB Meeting Nov 2-4
3. The CIFAR Executive Board and Council of Fellows need to be named and conduct their planned meetings. 4. Continue valuable outreach activities with the media and support for graduate research fellowships, and take advantage of the University of Alaska’s Sea Grant Program for expanding outreach opportunities. 5. Identify where support could be provided for research Fellows in Alaska where NOAA facilities and University of Alaska researchers are co-located to expand cooperative research. NOAA SAB Meeting Nov 2-4
Improve the accounting for director, associate director and staff time between separately-funded CIFAR and non-CIFAR functions to satisfy Federal requirements. • 7. CIFAR and the National Weather Service should pursue collaboration on climate, forecasting and development of value-added products. 8. NOAA and the University of Alaska should ensure that CIFAR has sufficient staffing by maintaining and exploring new funding through NOAA, and through the University’s Center for Global Change. NOAA SAB Meeting Nov 2-4
