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Creation of the SRA Research Triangle Regional Organization: Opportunities and Challenges
Citation:
Byrley, P., K. Grieger, AND C. Cummings. Creation of the SRA Research Triangle Regional Organization: Opportunities and Challenges. Society for Risk Analysis, NA, Virtual, December 05 - 09, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
There are many risk science professionals within the Research Triangle area, including those working in universities, government agencies, and industry. The Society for Risk Analysis Research Triangle Regional Organization was created to increase professional collaboration and networking opportunities for these risk science professionals, along with enhancing risk science as a whole.
Description:
Rationale: In the Research Triangle area of North Carolina there are several major universities, various government agencies, and industry that either research or apply risk science. However, there has been no organization within this region that acts as a unifying body to bring together risk practitioners over the last several years. The Society of Risk Analysis Research Triangle Regional Organization (SRA-RT RO) was created as an extension of SRA to provide much-needed networking opportunities, seminars, and collaboration to enhance risk sciences within the region. Methods: This presentation will describe the history of the new SRA-RT RO over the last two years. The SRA-RT RO was created using a SRA strategic initiatives proposal in 2019. An executive council, student group, and engagement committee were created along with structured bylaws. The organization also has a public-facing website and has formed connections with local risk science communities and centers. Surveys were used to understand what members would like from a risk-science focused organization. Results and Discussion: Challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic prevented in-person events and large gatherings between March 2020 and summer 2021. However, the SRA-RT RO successfully engaged members through online events including talks on gene-edited food, solar geoengineering and global income inequality, and environmental sustainability’s relationship to financial stability. Additional connections were made between SRA-RT RO and other organizations including the American Statistical Association. Surveys revealed that the risk science community within the RT region is diverse and has varied wants from a regional organization. Finally, roles and responsibilities of leadership were solidified leading to more streamlined operation and organization. Conclusions and Implications: The SRA-RT RO has become a small but dedicated member group within the larger SRA organization that is continually growing. Despite challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has been successful in organizing events, engaging members and fulfilling its mission to enhance risk science in the region. The SRA-RT RO is planning to increase membership and hold larger events into the next year. The experiences and lessons learned from reinvigorating the SRA-RT RO may be applicable to other SRA ROs as they aim to grow and expand local presence of SRA members.