SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP16: SCAR Scientific Research Programme External Performance Review Process Popular

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP16: SCAR Scientific Research Programme External Performance Review Process

Executive Summary

Title: SCAR Scientific Research Programme External Performance Review

Authors: Jenny Baeseman

Introduction/Background: As agreed by the Delegates in 2004, all of SCAR’s Scientific Research Programmes (SRPs) are to be reviewed internally every 2 years and externally every 4 in order to ensure that SCAR is obtaining good value for its investment and that results are emerging at an appropriate rate.

Important Issues or Factors: The SRP Astronomy and Astrophysics from Antarctica (AAA) was externally reviewed in 2014. The process outlined herewith follows the procedure AAA followed.

The following are due for review in 2016:

• Antarctic Climate Change in the 21st Century (AntClim21)
• Antarctic Thresholds - Ecosystem Resilience and Adaptation (AnT-ERA)
• Past Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics (PAIS)
• Solid Earth Responses and influences on Cryospheric Evolution (SERCE)
• State of the Antarctic Ecosystem (AntEco)

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: ExCom is asked to review the process outlined in the following pages and comment. Once agreed, the Secretariat will follow up with review process as agreed.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: Reviews should be ready for consideration by the SCAR Delegates 2016 meeting. The external reviews should help to increase the effectiveness of the SRPs and their outcomes.

Budget Implications: Most work will be done via email and online meetings so no direct costs are foreseen, but it will take up considerable staff time and also time for reviewers.