Background
On October 31, 2013, a kick-off webinar was held by the National Science Foundation to introduce 35 questions grouped in 8 thematic areas which address best practices for long-term observing management and governance. Over the next 20 weeks, 9 webinars will be held to further delve into each of the 8 themes: (1) Definition, (2) Life cycle and horizons, (3) Review: frequency, criteria, and process, (4) Network relevance, (5) Funding models, (6) Award structure and management, (7) Information sharing and communication, and (8) National and global connectivity. The ninth webinar will be a wrap-up discussion and assessment of current exchanges on these 8 themes.
For a list of the 35 questions within these 8 thematic areas, please visit www.arctichub.net and click on the "Long Term Observing Management Discussion Group" link on the home page and then click Discussion on the left-hand side of the group page.
The webinars will introduce the themes and questions in detail, but the discussion continues beyond the webinar timeframe. Interested persons who would like to lead discussions on one or more of the 35 questions are encouraged to apply for discussion funding support through an online application at: http://www.arcus.org/search/aon/discussion-funding-form. Funding details and eligibility are on the form webpage. The discussion content provided through this activity will inform best practices and lessons learned in long-term observing from the viewpoint of the wide range of actors involved in natural and social observing, its management, support, and development.
Thursday, November 21st, 2013, 11:30am ET (1 hour event)
Via Webex (details available at www.arctichub.net)
Long-Term Observing Management and Governance Webinar: Theme 1, Definition
This is the first in a series of informational webinars that will introduce 8 thematic areas related to the management and governance of long-term observing. This first webinar will address definitions and interpretations of common vocabulary used in observing.
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013, 1:30pm ET (1 hour event)
Via Webex (details available at www.arctichub.net)
Long-Term Observing Management and Governance Webinar: Theme 2, Lifecycle and horizons
This is the second webinar in a series on long-term observing management and governance. In this presentation, concepts about long-term observing lifecycle and horizons will be explored that include questions about the initiation, maintenance, (de-)scoping, and denouement of an observing activity.
Tuesday, January 7th, 2014, 1:30pm ET (1 hour event)
Via Webex (details available at www.arctichub.net)
Long-Term Observing Management and Governance Webinar: Theme 3, Review: frequency, criteria, process
This webinar will introduce the third thematic area related to long-term observing management and governance -- the review process. Several aspects of review for long-term efforts will be discussed, including the frequency of review, observing-specific criteria, and best practices of the review process.
Tuesday, January 21st, 2014, 1:30pm ET ( 1 hour event)
Via Webex (details available at www.arctichub.net)
Long-Term Observing Management and Governance Webinar: Theme 4, Network relevance
The fourth thematic area of long-term observing management and governance to be addressed is one of network relevance. Questions in this webinar will target the relationship between different mission agencies and between agencies and communities when determining observing priorities. Additional discussion will revolve around the role of data, products, and integrated information in developing an argument for relevance.
Tuesday, February 4th, 1:30pm ET (1 hour event)
Via Webex (details available at www.arctichub.net)
Long-Term Observing Management and Governance Webinar: Theme 5, Funding models
In the fifth webinar of this series, we will cover the funding models available from a range of agencies, industry, and organizations that support long-term observing. Also included is discussion about different funding horizons, partnerships, and strategies that influence not only the capability, but the scientific content and longevity of observations.
Tuesday, February 18th, 1:30pm ET (1 hour event)
Via Webex (details available at www.arctichub.net)
Long-Term Observing Management and Governance Webinar: Theme 6, Award structure and management
The sixth installment in this webinar series focuses on the management of long-term observing awards. Questions discussed target the management structure of the awardee teams and the methods that they use to implement their observing strategy. Included in these concepts are risk management, interdependent infrastructure, critical path planning, and cost benefits of non-traditional observing methods and interdisciplinary or interagency collaboration.
Thursday, March 13th, 1:30pm ET (1 hour event)
Via Webex (details available at www.arctichub.net)
Long-Term Observing Management and Governance Webinar: Theme 7, Information sharing and communication
In the 7th thematic webinar, concepts of information sharing and communication will be discussed. Questions will focus on the role of observers in mediating the information stream, both through development of data streams, products, and interaction with communities, as well as acceptance of input from interested parties and stakeholders.
Tuesday, March 25th, 1:30pm ET (1 hour event)
Via Webex (details available at www.arctichub.net)
Long-term Observing Management and Governance Webinar: Theme 8, National and global connectivity
In the final thematic webinar, issues regarding the interaction between individual observing activities and regional-to-global scientific organizations will be discussed. Questions will revolve around the development and adoption of international standards and best practices for making science relevant to international bodies.
Thursday, April 14th, 1:30pm ET (1 hour event)
Via Webex (details available at www.arctichub.net)
Long-term Observing Management and Governance Wrap-up Webinar
This webinar will provide an update on the activity within discussion groups on www.arctichub.net and further opportunities to continue discussions relevant to long-term observing management and governance. A recap of recommendations received from the broad observing-minded community will be presented.
