Programs: Science and Policy
http://shr.aaas.org//coalition/AreasofActivity/Service_to_the_Scientific_Community.html
AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program
AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition
Welfare of Scientists | Science Ethics and Human Rights | Service to the Human Rights Community | Education and Information Resources
Area of Activity III: Service to the STEM Community
Co-Chairs: Clinton Anderson (American Psychological Association)
Constance Thompson (American Society of Civil Engineers)
Margaret Weigers Vitullo (American Sociological Association)
The Service to the STEM Community working group is devoted to building the commitment and capacity of scientific associations to contribute meaningfully to human rights issues and activities, including through the application of their discipline’s tools and techniques.
Rationale
Scientific and engineering associations are dedicated to service, both to their members and to the public. Promoting the realization of human rights provides scientific associations an opportunity to meet their responsibilities to both. Indeed, many scientific associations have recognized this and have incorporated human rights into their work. They also have valuable experience to share in setting up and sustaining human rights programs. By developing human rights-related activities and services specifically for the scientific community, and by leveraging the experience of its members, the Coalition can build the commitment and capacity of scientific associations to engage meaningfully in human rights advocacy, develop effective responses to human rights challenges, and contribute their unique skills and knowledge to the larger community dedicated to the realization of human rights.
Events
UN Process and Article 15 Focus Groups
The working group is conducting focus groups with members of scientific associations to define the right to "enjoy the benefits of scientific progress" (Article 15, ICESCR). Information gained through these focus groups will be collated and serve as the basis for a submission to the UN on the meaning and application of the right.
To organize a focus group at your association, contact Jessica Wyndham.
Past Working Group Meetings:
23 January 2012
15 July 2011
8 June 2011
17 March 2011
11 January 2011
Scientists Working for Human Rights: A Career Workshop at the 2011 AAAS Annual Meeting
(19 February 2011)
Working group Co-Chair Clinton Anderson discussed opportunities for scientists to engage human rights through their associations' activities.
Available Resources
Starter Kit: Helping Your Scientific Society Promote Human Rights
A guide to engaging your society in human rights, with links to examples and useful resources. PDF.
Current Projects
The working group’s programmatic activities are carried out along two parallel tracks: pursuit of the Coalition’s overarching initiative and specialized area of activity projects. These activities are envisioned to be mutually supportive and reinforcing, with progress on one enhancing the likelihood of progress in another. The group is currently pursuing the following projects.
Engaging Scientific Associations to Define Article 15
Goal: |
To increase awareness of and engagement in Article 15 among the scientific community. |
Activities: |
Analyze the Venice Statement to identify relevant content and messaging for outreach; develop information materials on Article 15 for conducting outreach to scientific associations; work with scientific associations to bring Article 15 to the attention of their members; conduct targeted outreach to the scientific associations represented in the working group and Coalition and engage their governance and special interest groups to determine the meaning of Article 15 in the context of each discipline |
Outputs: |
Information packet about Article 15 and the activities of the working group to be used in outreach to the scientific community; news article template about Article 15 and the activities of the working group for members to use in outreach to their associations; report on scientific associations’ recommendations concerning the application of Article 15 to specific science disciplines. |
Starter Kit: Finishing and Publicizing
Goal: |
To complete and publicize the Starter Kit, a tool to help scientific organizations become (more) involved in human rights activities. |
Activities: |
With the assistance of AAAS, design a PDF and html version of the Starter Kit. Develop a marketing strategy for disseminating and promoting the use of the tool. |
Outputs: |
A Starter Kit that can be navigated online or printed, and accompanying marketing materials, will be made available via the Coalition Resources webpage. The Kit and/or marketing materials will also be available at presentations and workshops of scientific organizations interested in beginning or increasing their human rights activities (below). |
Survey of Needs and Interests of Scientific Societies
Goal: |
To elicit information from scientific societies regarding the types of human rights presentations and workshops that would be of most use and interest to their members. |
Activities: |
Develop an online survey to poll scientific societies about their interest in human rights work and the programs that would most help them become (more) involved. The survey is intended to provide information for the development of relevant presentations and workshops for scientific associations (below). |
Outputs: |
A set of data, derived from the online survey, to prompt development of workshops and presentations for scientific societies interested in becoming more involved in human rights. |
Presentations and Workshops for Scientific Societies
Goal: |
To develop and deliver a series of workshops to scientific societies interested in beginning or expanding their human rights commitment. |
Activities: |
Based on the above survey, frame a series of presentations that can be delivered to interested scientific societies. With AAAS support, develop a series of stock PowerPoint slides that may be modified for a variety of presentations. Compile a roster of speakers, principally from among working group members, who are available to deliver presentations to interested scientific societies. |
Outputs: |
Presentations and workshops for scientific societies, and template PowerPoint slides for use by working group members and others. The availability of speakers and resources, as well as the variety of topics addressed, will be advertised on the Coalition website, through the SHRP mailing list and via personal contacts. |
Progress
The working group identified the following priorities for 2009:
- Develop a “Starter Packet” to support and promote organizations’ commitments to human rights
- Help scientists apply their disciplinary perspectives to human rights
- Compile a list of annual meetings for 2010 and propose trainings or presentations at those meetings
- Compile syllabi of science courses that incorporate human rights.*
- Conduct a literature search and compile a bibliography.*
Since July 2009, the group has developed and finalized a “Starter Kit” that will be launched on the Science and Human Rights Coalition website and promoted at speaker events over the next year. The Starter Kit contains examples, suggestions and resources for organizations seeking to develop or expand their commitment to human rights. Moving forward, the group will work with a Science and Human Rights Program intern to develop a list of speakers, including members of the working group, who are available to address topics of interest to organizations that wish to expand their human rights work. This project will begin with a survey soliciting topics of interest from member organizations. Over the past year, attendance at meetings has generally been high and productive, but member involvement between meetings has been more difficult to solicit.
*Since July 2009 the Education and Information Resources Working Group have produced a compilation of syllabi and developed an annotated bibliography. As a result, these items have been removed from the priorities of the Service to the Scientific Community Working Group.
Further information
For further information about the working group’s objectives and activities, click here.
If you wish to find out more about this working group and how your association can participate, please contact the working group co-chairs, Clinton Anderson (American Psychological Association) and Margaret Weigers Vitullo (American Sociological Association).
(page updated 02/01/2012 )
