Project completed on human impacts from oil spills

The project webpage is www.seri-us.org/content/human-dimensions-of-oil-spills

Primer on Q methodology available for free download.

We developed this Primer using funding from the U.S. EPA to clarify how to conduct Q methodology. The Primer adds depth to a guidance document we wrote to help EPA personnel use Q methodology as a technique to evaluate public participation efforts.

That report is available here: seri-us.org/content/guidance-for-using-q-method-at-contaminated-sites

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Seth Tuler speaks at MIT Sea Grant

 MIT Sea Grant is funding our current project on Improving understandings of consequences, vulnerabilities, and adaptation strategies to climate change related hazards.  Tuler presented our work at a seminar with other grantees. For information about this seminar take a look at: seagrant.mit.edu/press_releases.php

Webler speaks at Renn's birthday symposium

 Thomas Webler was invited to give one of the keynote lectures at a Symposium in honor of the 60th birthday of Professor Ortwin Renn.  Webler spoke on the topic of Recent Advances in Public Participation to an audience of over 200 at the Filderhalle near Stuttgart.

Webler at Stuttgart

 Thomas Webler was appointed to serve on the International Advisory Board for the new Center for Risk and Innovation at Stuttgart University in Germany.  The Center is co-leader for the new Helmholtz Alliance on Energy Transformations, a project intented to help Germany achieve the goal of generating 100% of its electricity using renewable energy technologies.

Announcement of fishermen occupation safety pilot project

 

Factsheet on radiation health effects

Seth Tuler wrote a factsheet for Physicians for Social Responsibility on Health risks of the releases of radioactivity from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors: Are they a concern for residents of the United States?

The 13 page factsheet is meant to help people make sense of the issues that can influence exposure and harm from ionizing radiation.

It can be downloaded at the PSR website too:

Modeler Paper published!

About ten years ago, SERI conducted research into how scientists who build nitrogen loading models perceive the usefulness of their models to local decision makers.  That qualitative study was just published in the journal Environmental Policy and Governance, an interdisciplinary and international journal.  The publication is part of a special issue on participatory planning for watershed management.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eet.v21.6/issuetoc

First editorial on BRC in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (Jan 2012)

 The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has published an editorial written by Tuler, Rosa, and Webler on the Jan 2012 report by a special Presidential Commission on Nuclear Waste.  The Commission was charged with coming up with a plan to figure out how to deal with nuclear fuel wastes, including whether to pursue a permanent repository, now that the Yucca Mtn site is not being pursued.  The editorial remarks on the process the BRC used to engage the nation in this important policy matter.

The piece can be viewed here:

Webler Conversario for coral reefs

 Characterizing potentially harmful behaviors of snorkelers and SCUBA divers to coral reefs in Puerto Rico. 
 
Thomas Webler & Karin Jakubowski
Social and Environmental Research Institute, Greenfield, Massachusetts
 
 

Webler Slovenia

Mediation and facilitation in public policymaking
 
Thomas Webler
 
 

Webler WPI

 What does talk have to do with decision satisfaction?
  
Thomas Webler

Social and Environmental Research Institute

(SERI)
 
 
Wednesday October 5th,
 

Tuler presentation at NAS: Lessons from the past

Seth Tuler was invited to write a review paper and give a presentation about factors that influence public support and opposition to the siting of new energy facilities.  The purpose was to explore the lessons of past experiences for the siting of renewable energy facilities, such as wind. The presentation was made at the Workshop on Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change Through the Behavioral and Social Sciences in Washington, DC on 3-4 December, 2009.

MLPA case study completed

We have completed our case study of the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process.  A report has been posted to the website.  We are in the midst of searching for additional case studies. 

Webler presents at EPA's Sustainable & Healthy Community science workshop