International expansion of the ESA to be emphasized after the Reno meeting.

Posted by Grayson Brown on March 27, 2011 at 9:38am

Hey folks,

I'm currently the ESA Vice President and will become President at the end of the Reno meeting in November.  We have all worked to expand the ESA's global perspective and I intend to extend those efforts during my Presidency.  In fact, we have already begun work on a number of important initatives but I am particularly interested in hearing your ideas on how the ESA can best serve its membership through international involvement.  That is, if you were President and you wanted to get the ESA more involved, what would be your priorities, what specific programs or actions would you implement, and what would be the benefits to current ESA members?  I'm looking for specifics here -- things that I can take to the ESA Governing Board this summer.

 

This network could have a significant role in shaping ESA's plans for international involvement but only if it is active.  I hope that I receive much thoughtful insight from this group.

 

Cheers,

gcb

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Replies

  • Kenneth A. Sorensen October 31, 2011 at 7:54pm

    Grayson                                  31Oct2011

     

    I have a long history with International Affairs and am interested in Senior Entomologists. At NC State University I was on the Department of Entomology International Affairs Committee, as well as with the College of Ag and Biological Science International committee.  I have been in 28 countries with IPM programs and have hosted Interns from Peru and Bolivia where they participated in summer field programs in Entomology.  I have also attended several International Congresses of Entomology and Plant Protection International Conferences.  I have been active in the ESA International Affairs Committee (Chair) and over the last 6 years have helped organize the ESA Senior Entomologist Network and Symposiums.  I see a strong linkage between Senior Entomologists and International Programs.  It would be a win:win for all. Please keep me informed and in the loop and I welcome the opportunity to work in these areas with ESA.

  • Grayson Brown March 27, 2011 at 12:19pm

    Since I asked you for specifics, let me share with you a few things that we have already started:

    1.  ICE bid proposal -- I have a committee working on writing a proposal for the ESA to host the 2016 ICE meeting.  We will submit that proposal next March and will present oral arguments at the 2012 ICE in S. Korea.

     

    2.  The International Branch is planning on having its first off-shore meeting in Nairobi in 2012.  I don't have anything to do with that but it is an especially important international initiative of the ESA.

     

    3.  We have invitited the presidents of numerous larger entomological societies around the world to attend our Reno meeting.  We intend to meet with them as a group at several levels including a "brown bag" open forum.  We hope that more formal collaborations can come from these meetings.

     

    4.  I have contacted with our Japanese colleagues with an offer of assistance as they recover from the recent tragedy.  We have suggested numerous ways in which the ESA can help (e.g. publication/presentation/communication assistance, emergency sabbaticals, targeting aid programs to assure entomology carve-outs, collaborative assistance in obtaining grants to rebuild research infrastructure, etc.).  Additional info will be in the electronic newsletter as this initiative takes shape over the next month or so.

     

    5.  I am currently organizing a cadre of foreign entomomlogy grad students to provide language translation assistance.  My hope here is to (1) give these students a concrete way to help the ESA, (2) expand their professional contacts at home, (3) begin to build liaisons with foreign contacts as these students return to their home country.  I want this to be a win-win for the students and the ESA.

     

    6.  We are investigating potential collaborative arrangements with non-US entomological societies.  For example, we might wish to cross-promote meetings, events, publications, or initiatives.

     

    Most of the above activity will require Governing Board approval before it can go very far.  I hope that they can approve of at least some of these actions, as well as an overall strategy, at the summer Board meeting in June.

     

    Keep those ideas coming!

    gcb

  • Daniel Strickman March 27, 2011 at 10:09am
    Grayson: Thanks for the leadership on this issue. I am director of USDA ARS Overseas Biological Control Labs. In general, the more involvement of these labs with ESA members the better, but you asked for specifics. Here are a few:
    -add links from ESA website to major international forums (eg, Ecodiff in France).
    -assemble a network of ESA certified copy editors who can help (for a fee) foreign authors with language in manuscripts
    -index each article for international implications so that a search by country or region will bring it up (eg, each Colorado potatoe beetle article applies to Europe as well as the US)
    -through symposia or other meetings of senior leaders, address the problemencountered by young investigators who only have foreign sources of recommendation following an international post doc
    -establish a partnership with Peace Corps for IPM, much as was done with Smithsonian for biology (ESA would find opportunities for PhD level experiences

    Dan Strickman
    • Grayson Brown > Daniel Strickman March 27, 2011 at 10:41am

      Thanks Dan.  Great points all and I'll add them to my list.  Once I have feedback from this group as well as others (International Branch, International Affairs Committee, etc.), I'll see if we can't start work on at least some things before the Reno meeting.  I'll be sure to credit you for these ideas along the way.

       

      Thanks again,

      gcb

    • Muhammad Mukhtar > Grayson Brown March 27, 2011 at 11:24am

      Dear Grayson Brown,

       

      First of all there is sincere well-wishes and advance congradulations for being of President" in November.

      I am 37 years old Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar still considering a "Young" scientist. Currently I am working as Hrad of Department of Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Disease; Head of Dept. of Parasitology, Public Health Lab. Divisions, National Institute of Health-Pakistan. I become a member of ResearchGate 2 months back and I have no hesitation while saying that I got huge benefts from this membership which is playing a great role in my capacity building. I have availed some conference/meeting and publication sponsorships through this website. This is a real benefit for me as a Scientist of a developing country. All credit goes to "ESA" Thankx alot ESA!!!

       

      Regarding specifics you requested I am extremely impressed and support the points suggested by Dan. I am sure he raised almost all urgently needed and burning issues to be considered. I just add some more suggestions of Dan's suggestions;

      1. add links also of some leading Museums dealing with insects like British Muesem of Natural Histor for sharing and donation "Reference Collection" of insects to these meusem from members of ESA.
      2. List of volunteers who can help others in identification of insects from other areas. and also review of papers, proposals etc. of public health importance.

      Regards.

       

      Mukhtar

      Pakistan

    • Grayson Brown > Muhammad Mukhtar March 27, 2011 at 11:50am

      Thanks Mukhtar.  I have your suggestions.

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