Fifth of Five Reasons to Follow SRA

Want benefits of SRA’s multidisciplinary international membership who commit to supporting and nurturing the career development of researchers and practitioners in risk analysis?

This series has highlighted my top five reasons to follow the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA). To summarize, my reasons include access to these SRA opportunities for education and training, collaboration, and networking about risk analysis.

1. Podcasts with SRA risk practitioners, FREE to members and non-members

2. Regional Organizations around the world who sponsor events and conferences, some FREE for members and non-members

3. Specialty Groups that reflect diverse disciplines or areas of study that inform risk analysis teams

4. Webinars, FREE to members and non-members for ‘live’ sessions (library of recorded podcasts available to members only)

5. Education, training, networking, and career development opportunities in risk analysis available via Facebook, the electronic Risk Newsletter archive and on the SRA website.

To refresh the memories of readers less familiar with SRA, it is a multi- and inter-disciplinary, scholarly, international society that provides an open forum for ALL those who are interested in risk analysis, no matter what field of study or discipline. Risk analysis is broadly defined to include assessment, characterization, communication, and management of risk ‘with attendant uncertainty’, as well as policy relating to risk. The context of risk analysis spans risks of concern to individuals, to public- and private-sector organizations, and to society at a local, regional, national, or global level. SRA’s website is a rich source of information about this non-profit professional organization and it’s activities and programs.

While FOLLOWING SRA can give you awareness of opportunities for education, training, networking, and career development for interdisciplinary risk analysts, you can maximize benefits by JOINING SRA.

SRA members receive printed volumes of Risk Analysis: An International Journal, access to online archives for the journal’s volumes published since 1981. Members can serve as officers elected to SRA Council (see list of current and past officers), as well as for Specialty Groups and Regional Organizations. Members can propose workshops and symposia for SRA meetings around the world, and have opportunities for reduced fees for many events. SRA members can use the membership directory to connect with colleagues within a particular region or organization, or with specific expertise that might be needed for new collaborations. Members can also participate in SRA elections, provide feedback on member surveys, and compete for grant funding for ‘Strategic Initiatives’.

SRA recognizes exceptional service and risk analysis work by a number of prestigious awards, many presented annually since 1984, including the following.

Nobel laureate Dr. Ken Arrow receives the 2009 Distinguished Achievement Award from then SRA President Dr. Alison Cullen.

• Fellow of SRA

• Distinguished Achievement Award

• Richard J. Burk Outstanding Service Award

• Outstanding Practitioner Award

• Chauncey Starr Distinguished Young Risk Analyst Award

• Distinguished Educator Award

• Presidential Recognition Award

• Society for Risk Analysis/Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer

In addition annual, best paper and best reviewer awards have been earned by students, young professionals, and mid- and senior-level analysts since 2008. An SRA Student and Young Professional (SYP) group provides more opportunities for professional and academic development to students, as well as for researchers and professionals embarking on careers in risk analysis. SYP provides a platform for exchanging ideas and building contacts, now expanding to include a mentor program with mid- and senior-level colleagues. Since its founding as an ad-hoc committee in 2011, the SYP now has a voice on the SRA Council and support to hold a SYP mixer at the annual meeting for further networking with SRA members.

SRA Student Members are eligible to compete for scholarships and awards offered by many Specialty Groups and Regional Organizations, some to fund travel to meetings. Reduced fees are available for participation in SRA workshops ($35 fee for students, a fraction of the regular costs for SRA workshops).

One member of the SYP group recently commented on benefits in establishing connections with like-minded researchers, scientists, and professionals, as well as in learning the state-of-the-art in diverse fields and gaps where students, postdocs, and young professionals, can contribute with aging professionals in the demanding and rewarding work of risk analysis teams.

SRA Past-President Rachel Davidson noted, “Students are the next generation, so to ensure the future of the risk profession, we need to be sure we are training, mentoring, and supporting them effectively.” The new Mentor Program builds on the work of diverse established SRA members to connect with current (and future) members of the SYP so that they get maximum value from SRA annual meetings, from introductions and networking, to discussions about career goals, and advice about navigating the challenges and opportunities in today’s complicated risk analysis landscape.

Ready to FOLLOW SRA?

I invite you to experiment by following SRA on Facebook for 6 months. After six months of free podcasts and webinars and informal networking with members you connect with there, consider the value of joining.

Ready to JOIN SRA?

The levels of SRA membership are listed below for those ready to experience the full benefits of education, training, networking, career development and service in the world’s leading professional organization on risk science and its applications. By becoming an SRA member, you can help bring clarity to the world of risk, uncertainty, and ambiguity. Visit the SRA website for more information on the topics discussed in this blog series, and for more information about studies found in Risk Analysis: An International Journal.

Levels of SRA Membership

• Full Membership (USA and Canada): $115

• Full Membership (Outside USA and Canada): $100

• Student Membership: $75

• Supporting Membership: $170 (Supports Reduced-Fee Full Memberships)

• Reduced Fee Membership: $65 (Salary under $30,000 USD)

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