At any given time, dozens of studies are underway to address specific issues in Earth & Life Studies that will lead to reports. These studies range in scope and length: some rapidly address questions to meet immediate decision making needs (for example, one report on why New Orleans' levees failed in Hurricane Katrina was absolutely necessary before the next hurricane season), while others deal with broader or ongoing issues and can span a number of years (as in the case of an ongoing review of efforts to restore the Everglades).
An ad hoc committee will examine the need for geospatial intelligence expertise in the United States compared with the production of experts in the relevant disciplines, and discuss possible ways to ensure adequate availability of the needed expertise. In its report the committee will:
1. Examine the current availability of U.S. experts in geospatial intelligence disciplines and approaches and the anticipated U.S. availability of this expertise for the next 20 years. The disciplines and approaches to be considered include the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA's) 5 core areas and promising research areas identified in the May 2010 NRC workshop on 'New Research Directions for the NGA.' [The core areas include remote sensing and imagery science; photogrammetry and geomatics; geodesy and geophysics; cartographic science; and geographic information systems and geospatial analysis.]
2. Identify any gaps in the current or future availability of this expertise relative to NGA's need.
3. Describe U.S. academic, government laboratory, industry, and professional society training programs for geospatial intelligence disciplines and analytical skills.
4. Suggest ways to build the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure an adequate U.S. supply of geospatial intelligence experts for the next 20 years, including NGA intramural training programs or NGA support for training programs in other venues.
The report will not include recommendations on policy issues such as funding, the creation of new programs or initiatives, or government organization.
Future U.S. Workforce for Geospatial Intelligence - 10/06/11
Future U.S. Workforce for Geospatial Intelligence - 05/23/11
Future U.S. Workforce for Geospatial Intelligence - 07/26/11
Future U.S. Workforce for Geospatial Intelligence: Meeting 1 - 03/24/11
Hover over a stage to see its description below
Call for Nominations:
At this stage in the process, staff solicit an extensive number of suggestions for potential committee members from a wide range of sources, then recommend a slate of nominees.
To nominate a committee member, please write to Anne Marie Linn, ALinn@nas.edu no later than
Committee Published:
The provisional committee list is posted for public comment in the Current Projects System on the Web.
Study committees typically gather information through: 1) meetings that are open to the public and that are announced in advance through the National Academies Web site; 2) the submission of information by outside parties; 3) reviews of the scientific literature, and 4) the investigations of the committee members and staff. In all cases, efforts are made to solicit input from individuals who have been directly involved in, or who have special knowledge of, the problem under consideration.
In accordance with federal law and with few exceptions, information-gathering meetings of the committee are open to the public, and any written materials provided to the committee by individuals who are not officials, agents, or employees of the National Academies are maintained in a public access file that is available for examination.
The committee deliberates in meetings closed to the public in order to develop draft findings and recommendations free from outside influences. The public is provided with brief summaries of these meetings that include the list of committee members present. All analyses and drafts of the report remain confidential.
A citizen liaison, who reports directly to the Executive Director and who is independent of project staff, can be reached at citizen@nas.edu or (800) 842-8813.
Primary Board:
Board on Earth Sciences and Resources
Sponsor(s):
Department of Defense
Collaborating Unit(s):
Policy and Global Affairs Division
Study Director:
Anne Marie Linn
Contact:
ALinn@nas.edu
Expected Report Release:
Future Workforce for Geospatial Intelligence:
Spring 2012