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Abstract
An important audience
for scientific information is policy makers: legislators, governmental
agency staff, business leaders, environmental leaders, and others who
need natural-resource information to make policy decisions. The Kansas
Geological Survey, a division of the University of Kansas, has developed
an annual, three-day field conference that
- takes policy makers
to locations where natural resources are produced or used,
- shows them, first-hand,
the resources they make decisions about, and
- introduces them
to researchers and others who carry out (or are affected by) their decisions.
The first conference
was held in 1995. Participants are invited to attend and receive a guidebook
before the trip. Travel is by chartered bus; lodging and meals are provided.
Participants pay a small fee, but most expenses are covered by co-sponsors,
chosen from appropriate state agencies. Conferences have focused on topics
(such as energy) or regions of the state. Written, post-conference evaluations
are extremely positive. During the law-making process, legislators report
that they use conference information when making policy decisions. The
conference has dramatically raised the Survey's visibility within the
Legislature and improved relationships with state agencies.
The annual field
conference is a highly effective way of providing scientific information
to a difficult-to-reach audience. The concept is being adopted by other
state geological surveys and is applicable to other scientific organizations.
Budget
(2001)
Income
Registration fees ($95 per person) $2,850
Co-sponsor support ($2,500 each) $7,500
Meal co-sponsors $1,150
Total $11,500
Toolbox
Program Highlights
- Identify and invite
policy makers (legislators, governmental agency staff, business leaders,
environmental leaders, and others who need natural-resource information
to make policy decisions)
- Three-day traveling
conference that focuses on topics such as energy or specific regions
of the state
- Visit sites related
to natural resources for first-hand field experience
- Transportation
by chartered bus
- All transportation,
lodging, and meals are arranged and provided as part of field conference
- Guidebook containing
background information
Suggestions
- Seek advice from
experienced programs; participate in trips conducted by other organizations
as part of planning process
- Put on first-class
trip; don't skimp on motel, meal, or transportation costs
- Invest the necessary
staff time to pay close attention to conference details
- Stay on schedule
- Solicit financial
co-sponsors from appropriate agencies, organizations
- Invite participants
with diverse backgrounds and points of view; don't shy away from controversial
subjects
- Seek participation
from key legislators, cabinet secretaries, or other high-profile policy
makers to increase credibility and bolster participation
- Remain politically
non-partisan; involve both political parties
- Represent all aspects
of the issues
- Make trip enjoyable
as well as educational
Evaluation
- After the trip,
participants are mailed evaluation forms asking them to rate-on a scale
of 1 (not useful) to 5 (highly useful)-the professional, educational,
enjoyment, and overall value of conference
- Evaluations are
highly positive (the average participant rating for overall value is
4.75)
- Discussions on
the bus are rated as even more useful than site visits
- Based on suggestions
from participants, Survey adjusted timing of conference and eliminated
informational evening programs
Authors
Rex Buchanan*, Bob
Sawin, Liz Brosius, and Jim McCauley
Contact
*Rex
Buchanan
Kansas
Geological Survey
1930 Constant Avenue
The University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas 66047
Phone: (785) 864-2106
Email: rex@kgs.ku.edu
www.kgs.ukans.edu
Web
Site
http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/
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Created: 5/18//2002
Last updated: 8/17/2002
Contact: inquiries@nist.gov
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At
Wilson Lake in central Kansas, participants view outcrops of Dakota sandstone
(an important aquifier in parts of the state) during the 1996 field conference.
Participants
on the 1995 field conference learn about production issues at a mature
oil field in south-central Kansas.
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