Making USGS information effective in the electronic age, USGS Open-File Report 03-240 | |
Title Page Summary Introduction Goals Overview OUTCOME - Mission - Vision - Goals - Strategic Issues Appendices I. Agenda II. Porter: Vision III. Frodeman: Earth Science IV. McDermott/Wendt: Communications V. Journeay: CORDlink VI. Marincioni: MRIB VII. Faust: CMGP VIII. Brainstorming IX. Participants |
Workshop OutcomeSeveral accomplishments of the workshop are worth noting:(1) There was strong enthusiasm expressed during the discussions about the value of information.(2) The concepts of public science and public good were discussed and contrasted with what the USGS is actually doing, especially with regards to outreach. (3) There was strong enthusiasm for the idea of public discourse, rather than the one-way telling of scientific truths or (the common metaphor of) "throwing our truths over the wall." (4) The idea of the Citizen and public science serving the citizen was discussed enthusiastically, and briefly contrasted with the ideas of customers and audience. (5) At several times, the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) was noted for how a public science agency has been immensely successful in demonstrating its usefulness and relevance to citizens and society (http://www.csiro.au/). Because of the lively, engaging, and enthusiastic discussions and question sessions, a number of objectives were not met. These included consensus on how the USGS should serve the citizens, on defining the National Knowledge Bank, on a strategy for achieving the goals of the NKB, and on developing a strategy for continuing to work on what the workshop began, including disseminating workshop concepts to the scientific staff and to other levels of the USGS. The discussions and directions set at the workshop laid the groundwork for brainstorming fundamental aspects of the National Knowledge Bank. Certain topics related to the NKB have been taken up by the workshop conveners and organizers after the workshop and are included in this workshop report. This includes statements about Mission, Vision, and Goals, as well as the ranked items in the brainstorming list that gives a numerical value to each item based on the scope of its impact, the immediacy of implementing it, and what kind of communication (dialog vs over-the-wall) it supported (Appendix 9). CMGP National Knowledge BankBack to TopMissionPut CMGP knowledge to work for AmericaBack to TopVisionScientific Dialog: The National Knowledge Bank is central to public discourse. We help Americans use what we know about coastal and marine natural systems to make better decisions, and we learn from them what knowledge is important. Goals
· August 2001: Develop a strategic plan to implement each of our visions, using elements brainstormed at the workshop and more. Strategic Issues
· The NKB project will promote the use of public discourse, knowledge management, and information technology, in support of each of our visions.
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