Research Board

Research Board

The Research Board on Weather, Climate, Water and the Environment (Research Board) translates the strategic aims of WMO and decisions of Executive Council and Congress into overarching research priorities, and ensures the implementation and coordination of the research programmes to achieve these priorities in accordance with the purposes of Organization defined in Article 2(f) of the Convention.

Chair: Amanda Lynch (United States of America) 

Vice-Chair: VACANT

 

Visit the Community Platform for membership and activities of the Research Board.

The Board shall coordinate implementation and resourcing of WMO research programmes taking into account the advice of the Executive Council Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). The Board shall address Members’ needs and support implementation of the WMO Strategic Plan based on science and implementation plans approved by the Executive Council and any co-sponsor governing bodies, as appropriate, for WMO research programmes and activities.

 

 

Specific Terms of Reference
  • Promote convergence and integration between the various research programmes inside of and external to WMO, where appropriate
  • Initiate, coordinate and promote research activities in weather, climate, water and related environmental aspects through the WMO and co-sponsored research programmes (WCRP, GCOS, GOOS, WWRP, GAW and possible future research programmes) taking into account the advice provided by SAP and taking into consideration different needs amongst members
  • Guide the implementation of WMO research programmes and act as the primary point of contact related to weather, climate, water and related environmental research aspects in WMO
  • Ensure close coordination and cooperation between the WMO research programmes and eliminate duplication in structures and bodies
  • Maintain an optimal balance between weather, climate, water, ocean and environmental research initiatives and promote the synergies among such initiatives
  • Ensure that the research programmes are implemented according to agreed implementation plans and that such plans are current
  • Promote the co-design of research initiatives aimed at strengthening the ‘science-to-service’ link between user needs and research project design and between research and operations, to benefit service delivery to Members
  • Promote activities to strengthen scientific development in relevant areas for the benefit of all Members and particularly for developing countries and SIDS
  • Ensure close coordination among the physical and social sciences
  • Promote the science to service and applications
  • Establish effective coordination with technical commissions, JCOM and other relevant bodies, as appropriate
  • Organize effective communication and outreach to inform community of ongoing work, achievements and opportunities
  • Apply a system for recognition of achievements, promotion of innovation and the participation of young professionals
Membership

The Board is composed of an optimum number of leading research scientists and research funding managers active in the fields of weather, climate, water, ocean and related environmental and social sciences, taking into account geographical balance and reflecting the WMO gender equality policy, including:

  1. The chairs of the scientific oversight/steering committees of the WMO research programmes (World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), World Weather Research Programme (WWRP), Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW)) as ex officio members,
  2. Representatives from Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) and International Council for Science (ICSU) (now the International Science Council (ISC) following merger with the International Social Science Council (ISSC) in 2018) and major global and regional research funding organizations based on the Research Board chair and Scientific Advisory Panel advice,
  3. One representative from each regional association based on their capacity to connect with regional scientific institutions and activities.

The term of engagement shall be of four years with the possibility to renew once for a further four years; for ex officio members the duration shall be based on that of their term.

Working procedures

The Board will have a chair and a vice-chair, appointed by Congress. The members will be appointed by the Executive Council.

The Research Board chair, based on recommendations from IOC, ICSU, other relevant international research initiatives, and Scientific Advisory Panel will propose the three chairs of the research programmes (WWRP, GAW and WCRP), who will be appointed by Executive Council. In case of co-sponsored research programmes, the chair shall be selected by mutual agreement between co-sponsoring organizations.

The chair of the Research Board has the responsibility to ensure coordination of the work in the Research Board with the presidents of the TCs and RAs, who similarly shall coordinate their work with the Research Board chair.

The Board shall meet in principle once per year.

The Board may establish time-bound substructures for the discharge of specific tasks during an intersessional period. Such temporary substructures shall be discontinued at the end of every intersessional period.

The Board shall ensure regional and gender balance and inclusiveness in all its structures and work plans.