Committees
The SSWG consists of several committees that focus on key areas related to our strategic goals, including advancing capacity for conservation social science, engaging diverse SSWG and SCB perspectives in the practice of conservation social science, and ensuring that the SSWG Board’s core functions are consistent and responsive to our diverse and growing membership.
If the activities or efforts of any committee interest you, please contact the Committee Chairs listed below or sign up to be a SSWG volunteer.
Communications
The Communication Committee coordinates SSWG’s print, email, website, and social media communications. This committee also supports the Membership and Nominations Committee and other committees of SSWG and SCB to achieve SSWG’s member outreach and marketing goals.
Contact: Amit Kaushik and Rocío Lopez de la Lama
Program and Conference Planning
The Program Committee works with the SSWG Board and the SCB Executive Office to coordinate and organize social science content for ICCB and SCB regional conferences as well as for related conservation conferences. The Committee also assists the Board in planning SSWG-related content for SCB conferences and annual programming, including Members’ meetings.
Contact: Sayan Banerjee and Matthew Selinske
Membership and Nominations
The Membership and Nominations Committee encourages membership in both the SSWG and the SCB, especially among underrepresented groups. The Chair or a designate will liaise with SCB’s Diversity Committee on issues of mutual interest. The Committee shall assist the Secretary in maintaining a current list of the SSWG membership, and with member communications. One current initiative of this Committee is building broader international membership and support. The Committee also manages SSWG Board elections in partnership with SCB’s Executive Office. In preparation for annual elections, the Committee puts out a call for nominations to the membership, forms a nominations sub-committee to evaluate nominees and selects a diverse set of candidates.
Contact: Lily Van Eeden and Amemarlita Matos
Student Affairs
The Student Affairs Committee (StAC) facilitates the participation of graduate and undergraduate students in activities of the SSWG and the SCB. The StAC is responsible for communicating student issues to the SSWG and the SCB. Current activities include expanding and diversifying student membership, facilitating student participation in the ICCB and SCB regional conferences, and linking students to career and professional development opportunities. Want to get involved with our dynamic team?
Contact: Francisco Felipe Gelves-Gomez and Patricia Manzano-Fischer
Organizational Capacity
The Organizational Capacity Committee works to enhance the internal capacity of the SSWG to achieve our mission. In conjunction with the other Committees, the Organizational Capacity Committee endeavors to develop transparent, systematic, and inclusive mechanisms to improve the SSWG’s logistical and organizational operations. Current initiatives of the committee include implementing a project management platform and identifying ways to employ more of the vast energy and skill within the greater SSWG membership.
Contact: Tina Phillips and Stephanie Brittain
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)
The DEIJ Committee works to oppose racism, discrimination, oppression, prejudice, and other acts of injustice and inequality in all activities associated with the SSWG.
Contact: Ans Vercammen or Kwan-Lamar Blount-Hill
Special Projects
The Special Projects Committee supports short-term development and exploration of nascent projects that have yet to be incorporated into one of our standing committees. As an example, SSWG is engaged in the SCB Discipline Inclusion Task Force (DDTF). However, the DITF is not currently accepting new members. Overall, this committee considers how insights learned through various means may identify barriers and challenges for the integration of social science into the practice of conservation. Please email sswg@conbio.org if you have an idea for a special project.
Connect with SSWG
Email: sswg@conbio.org
Twitter: @SCB_SSWG, #consocsci
Facebook: facebook.com/SCBSSWG
LinkedIn: SCB-SSWG