CSR Activities
It is encouraged that sections put forward members to attend and provide input to ensure that IRBs are aligned properly with the membership, since certain sections are not benefiting certain groups of scientists. It was suggested the APS Office of Public Affairs develop a survey to determine how good a job the study sections are doing at representing the various areas of research. The SAC was encouraged to forward names of individuals interested in attending IRG "town meetings." Rebecca Osthus, APS Science Policy Analyst, will follow up with the sections in an effort to increase responses to the survey. Activity within the sections on this topic is currently on going.
Online Awards Module
The SAC applauded the new online awards submission and review model, although there was some confusion about the review process. One concern raised was that there were fewer applications for Junior Faculty Awards. In contrast, submission for postdoctoral and graduate students awards were on the rise across most of the sections.
Duplicate Awards
Since the APS Council agreed that no individual may receive more than one award at the EB meeting, the SAC was reminded that every effort must be made to reduce the possibility across all of the possible awards. It was pointed out that a feature of the online awards module indicates when an applicant has applied for or been selected for an award. Each section should indicate the winner within the module so that everyone has the benefit of knowing who the winners are as they happen. Cross talk between the sections is necessary to insure that duplicates do not arise.
Awards Application
The SAC unanimously recommend that APS needs to enhance the visibility of the online awards application mode. APS should implement a mechanism whereby abstract submitters can access the APS awards submission module in a seamless manner (i.e., providing a link in the abstract submission email confirmation).
Kenneth M. Baldwin, Chair