1 JISAO Review A Presentation to the NOAA Science Advisory Board Jim Kinter Chair, JISAO Review Committee Director, Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies 8 August 2005

2 Outline Purpose Overview and Background Major Findings of the Review Recommendations SAB Action

3 Purpose Summarize the five-year review of the Joint Institute for Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO) at the University of Washington (UW)

4 Overview and Background A five-year ( ) review of the Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO) was conducted on April 2005 Review committee members: –Ned Cyr, NOAA Fisheries –Jim Kinter, COLA (chair) –Galen McKinley, U. Wisconsin-Madison –Bob Weller, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Full report made available to SAB in May 2005

5 Major Findings of the Review Research JISAO conducts excellent collection of research projects and programs directly addressing NOAA strategic goals Partnership with NOAA/PMEL particularly strong; essential to PMEL’s productivity Education The post-doctoral & educational programs are of the highest quality Outreach The outreach activities, especially those undertaken by the Climate Impacts Group, are quite impressive Management The management of JISAO is now quite effective and its flexible institutional arrangements are an asset

6 Challenges for JISAO & NOAA Re-competition of NOAA Cooperative Institutes Introduces high degree of uncertainty Part of overall change in research “landscape” Expansion of research portfolio Addition/enhancement of research in regional marine ecosystems, hydrothermal vents & tsunamis is desirable Will require greater communication, coordination, planning & prioritization within JISAO & among partners Off-campus location of JISAO offices Represents barrier to building academic community The Director of JISAO will step down in 2006 Selection/transition to effective new Director essential

7 Recommendations Prepare comprehensive strategic plan –Derive maximum benefit from C.I. arrangement –Reactivate JISAO Administrative Board (JISAO Director; UW research administration, deans and department heads; heads of PMEL, AFSC and NWFSC; NOAA management) –Plan for the transition to a new Director Balance research portfolio –Maintain strength in ENSO & ocean observations –Expand marine ecosystems, hydrothermal vents & tsunamis –Proactive, not reactive Re-locate JISAO offices on UW campus

8 SAB Action Accept JISAO review report Follow up: –Direct NOAA to engage in JISAO strategic planning through labs, OAR and Fisheries management and Cooperative Institutes management –Establish timeline for re-competition of Cooperative Institutes to provide at least one year to shut down, if necessary