Who is SEANET?
SEANET is a self-governed, informal NETwork of Scientists, Educators and other people involved in communicating about research in Alaska's seas. The goal of the network is to promote ocean and climate change literacy by connecting ocean scientists with ocean educators and communicators, sharing best practices, and working together to share and integrate ocean science and local and traditional knowledge. Everyone interested in these goals - ocean scientists, formal and informal educators, communications and public information specialists, media specialists, students of all ages, and Alaska coastal community members- is welcome to join the group.
SEANET is being organized by COSEE-Alaska. COSEE-Alaska will seek the assistance of its members in the development of educational and communication products and programs to increase outreach, education, and communication skills and to increase public knowledge about Alaska ocean environments.
Anyone can join the network by subscribing to the SEANET listserve or joining the SEANET Ning networking sitehttp://oceanseanet.ning.com. COSEE-Alaska will send out postings several times each month listing upcoming events and training and outreach opportunities of interest to the network and a digest of Alaska ocean climate change news. Postings are archived onSEANET Archive
Members of the Ning group can interact with each other through sub-groups and forums on the website.
MISSION
The mission of Alaska SEANET is to promote Alaska ocean and climate change literacy through networking, communication, and collaboration.
GOVERNANCE
SEANET Steering Committee: SEANET is led by a Steering Committee made up of volunteer representatives, including ocean scientists, formal educators, informal educators, coastal community member, and students, along with COSEE Alaska members. The Steering Committee will hold one in-person meeting each year and hold periodic conference calls. Officers will include a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary, and the COSEE Alaska Liaison.
An interim SEANET steering committee consists of Michael Castellini, UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Fairbanks; Francis Wiese, North Pacific Research Board, Anchorage; Russ Andrews, Alaska SeaLife Center; Reid Brewer, Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program, Unalaska; Sheryl Sotelo, McNeil Elementary teacher, Homer; Peggy Cowan, Superintendent, North Slope Borough School District, Barrow; Nora Deans, and Marilyn Sigman. The first organizational meeting will be held on Monday, January 18, 2009, during the Alaska Marine Science Symposium in Anchorage.
The SEANET Steering Committee will offer guidance and assist COSEE Alaska in:
- Helping to plan the annual Communicating Ocean Science workshop
- Assisting in development of a regional directory to scientists and formal and informal educators with a focus on marine and climate change research, outreach, and education
- Establishing “best practices” in ocean science communication, outreach and education,
- Planning for a national ocean science and education conference in 2012 in Anchorage
NETWORK SUPPORT
COSEE Alaska will serve as the communication hub for SEANET and for the Steering Committee and provide a listserve, electronic networking website, and teleconferencing some travel support for the Steering Committee member meetings.
