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Philanthropy Horizons
December 2004
A monthly update for the foundation community from the National Academies -- National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council -- the nation’s nonprofit, nongovernmental advisors on federal science, technology, and healthcare policy.
In this issue:
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
- Action Needed to Preserve US Lead in Supercomputing
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
-Report Examines Future of US Water Supply
-Study of Marine Mammal Behavior for Conservation Purposes
NEW AT THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
-New Resource: Foundation Gateway
POLICY AND RESEARCH ISSUES
- Overhaul of "Naturalization Tests" Needs More Work
-Report Offers Recommendations to Spur Interdisciplinary Research
EVENTS AND OPEN MEETINGS
-Committee Meeting: A Framework for Understanding Electronic Voting
-Committee Meeting: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Action Needed to Preserve US Lead in Supercomputing
US needs for supercomputing to strengthen defense and national security cannot be satisfied with current policies and levels of spending, says a report from the National Academies' Computer Science and Telecommunications Board. The federal government should provide stable, long-term funding and support multiple supercomputing hardware and software vendors in order to give scientists and policymakers better tools to solve problems in areas such as intelligence, nuclear stockpile stewardship, and climate change.
News Summary
Full Report
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Report Examines Future of US Water Supply
Urban sprawl, rapid population growth, non-point source pollution, and non-regulated contaminants are some of the emerging threats to US drinking water supplies that are examined in a new Institute of Medicine workshop summary. Included are articles and abstracts from an October 2003 meeting of the IOM Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine.
Full Report
IOM Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine
Study of Marine Mammal Behavior for Conservation Purposes
How to determine which behaviors of marine mammals should be considered "biologically significant" for conservation purposes is the subject of a new report from the National Academies' Ocean Studies Board. The report is intended to help scientists and policymakers interpret provisions of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Full Report
Ocean Studies Board
NEW AT THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
New Resource: Foundation Gateway
The National Academies are pleased to announce the posting of our new Foundation Gateway, featuring links to items of particular interest to foundation representatives, including studies and reports supported by foundation funding as well as open meetings and other events. Philanthropy Horizons subscribers will continue to receive this monthly bulletin, which will provide links to the new Gateway for the month's posted stories as well as access to previous issues and to the National Academies' main Web site.
Foundation Gateway
POLICY AND RESEARCH ISSUES
Overhaul of “Naturalization Tests” Needs More Work
An interim report examines the federal government's redesign of naturalization tests administered to people seeking US citizenship. The report urges US Citizenship and Immigration Services to create advisory bodies to oversee the effort. USCIS should also create detailed plans for research and test development to ensure that its new tests of English, US history, and government -- which have yet to be implemented nationwide – are scientifically valid, reliable, and fair. The agency sought the NRC's advice on the project.
Full Report
Board on Testing and Assessment
Report Offers Recommendations to Spur Interdisciplinary Research
While advances in science and engineering increasingly require the collaboration of scholars across fields, interdisciplinary research is impeded at many institutions by policies on hiring, promotion, tenure, and research allocation that favor traditional disciplines, says a new report from the National Academies' Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy. The report urges academic institutions to explore new models that foster and reward interdisciplinary interactions.
News Summary
Full Report
EVENTS AND OPEN MEETINGS
Committee Meeting: A Framework for Understanding Electronic Voting
The Committee on Electronic Voting met December 9-10 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington, DC. Open sessions included presentations by representatives of the gaming industry, election officials, and voter advocates, as well as discussions of the technical, social, and operational issues related to voting systems. The agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like more information please contact Brandye Williams, by email at brwillia@nas.edu or by telephone at 202.334.1481.
Agenda
Committee Meeting: Residence Rules in the Decennial Census
The Panel on Residence Rules in the Decennial Census met December 13-14 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington, DC. The open session on Monday, Dec 13, included remarks by US Census Bureau officials and a discussion of proposed revisions for the 2006 Census Test. The agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like more information please contact Agnes E. Gaskin, by email at agaskin@nas.edu or by telephone at 202.334.2240.
Agenda
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The nation turns to the National Academies - National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council - for independent, objective advice on issues that affect people's lives worldwide. http://www.national-academies.org
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