2015 AAAS Annual Meeting (12-16 February 2015)

February 12 - 16, 2015

Science During Crisis: Amidst Oil Spills, Hurricanes, and Other Disasters

The role of science in responding to environmental events such as industrial accidents, hurricanes, floods, and pandemics is increasingly important: the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010) and Hurricane Sandy (2012) are recent examples. Yet, there has been relatively sparse attention devoted to the distinctive nature of science during crisis and how such science can most effectively be planned, conducted, documented, communicated, and applied to crisis decision-making. Innovative organizational frameworks for science during crisis have been piloted and a research agenda for understanding and improving science during crisis is now emerging. Further advances are essential. Panel presentations will highlight innovative approaches, best practices, crisis informatics, and challenges for conducting and disseminating science during crises.