A Project Office to Coordinate Ocean Observing Activities

Consortium For Ocean Leadership, Inc, Washington DC

Investigators

Abstract

The JOI (Joint Oceanographic Institutions) is being funded to establish a Project Office for the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) and the Ocean Research Interactive Observatory Networks (ORION) Program. JOI in collaboration with the Consortium for Ocean Research and Education (CORE) will draw on the complementary strengths and experience of these two organizations in managing large scientific programs, in working with science advisory structures, and in dealing with community-wide education and outreach activities. The Project Office will be located in Washington D.C. and will be headed by Dr. Kenneth Brink, a well-respected research scientist with managerial experience and a broad perspective on the field of ocean sciences. By utilizing existing personnel and infrastructure structure support at JOI and CORE, the OOI Project Office will be established and staffed with experienced personnel within days after award. The governance philosophy is that research-driven observatories should be under the control of the scientists who use them, and the day-to-day operation of the different observatory systems should be the responsibility of the entities (academic institutions or consortia including industry) with appropriate scientific and technical expertise. The role of project management should be one of coordination, oversight, and fiscal and contract management. JOI/CORE will undertake responsibility for 1) setting up a scientific and technical advisory structure for the OOI, 2) developing a specific Science Plan and Project Execution Plan, 3) engaging the ocean science research community in consensus-building, and 4) setting up and operating a state-of-the-art web site.