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Research Location in NOAA - Physical and Social Sciences

A Presentation to the NOAA Science Advisory Board

Alexander E. MacDonaldDirector ESRL/GSD

OAR

November 9, 2005

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Outline

• Purpose

• Issue

• Presentation of Briefing

• NOAA Coordination and Views

• Desired Outcome

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Purpose

To present the criteria for determining the research location in NOAA and the preliminary findings of the Physical and Social Sciences Research Task Team (PSTT).

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Issue

What is NOAA’s response to the recommendation of the NOAA Research Review panel to:

1. develop a clear set of criteria for determining the the geographic and organizational location of its research and

2. apply these criteria in a review of the organizational location of the existing research activities and identify opportunities for possible migration.

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Briefing

The PSTT developed and overarching view of NOAA's research and development that provided criteria for research location:

Research structure should enhance NOAA the transfer of advances in science and technology into NOAA's operational and information services.

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Briefing

Principles from Research Review report

• Research enterprise is corporate – linkages across organizational lines.• Organization must follow function.• Dedicated resources for research that is focused on mid- to longer-term mission needs (split between intramural and extramural).• Near-term improvements in operational capabilities should be aligned with operational activity.• Scientific advice formally aligned to the corporate research program to ensure policy based on science.• Structure that fosters intra and inter agency collaboration.

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Briefing

Preliminary Criteria for Research and Development Location

Time scale to fruition (0-2, 2-5, 5-20, 20 +) - Research on longer time scales needs to be organizationally distinct from operations to protect longer time scale efforts. Research and development coming to fruition on short time scales, directly connected to operations, should be located within the operational organization.

Mission and Discipline Critical Mass – NOAA should organize its research and development so that the organization follows its functions and attains critical mass of technical expertise in crucial mission areas.

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Briefing

Preliminary Criteria for Research and Development Location (cont.)

Infrastructure Requirements – NOAA should locate its research to take advantage of specialized infrastructure such as ships, data facilities, specialized laboratories, etc.Internal vs. External – Internal laboratories, academia and industry have different capabilities and suitability for different types of research and development. NOAA should assure that it considers each of these in determining the location of its research efforts.Linkage to NOAA and its Constituents – If research and development is oriented toward a NOAA operational entity, this should be considered when determining where it should be located. Similarly, if the research and development are oriented toward a particular NOAA constituent, this should be factored into location considerations.Balance of High Risk and Low Risk – The research enterprise must be organizationally structured to allow the right balance of high risk/high payoff research with lower risk efforts.

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PSTT Preliminary Findings

Finding: NOAA has strengthened corporate management of its research enterprise, decreasing the necessity for organizational moves.

Finding: NOAA is in the process of reorganizing part of its research organization, which addresses some of the issues raised by the Research Review Team.

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NOAA Coordination & Views

• NOAA coordination:

– Dr. Mahoney has overseen the development of the PSTT Report.

– The PSTT has worked with the eETT to coordinate its criteria and principles.

• What has NOAA done to address this issue?

– Coordinated response to Research Review Team recommendations.

• What are NOAA’s views on the subject?

– NOAA management will receive draft report at end of calendar year, soliciting views.

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Desired Outcome

• Present the SAB with the criteria developed by the PSTT for use in determining organizational and geographic location of research in NOAA

• SAB comments on the preliminary findings of the PSTT