VIMS has a statutory obligation to serve as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Science Advisor on matters related to coastal and marine resources. There is a base expectation that all faculty members will participate in fulfilling this aspect of our mission. There is also a long history of professional and technical advice contributing to this aspect of the’ mission which is foundational to our institutional success and ability to address our institutional strategic goals. These efforts are coordinated by the VIMS Office of Research & Advisory Services (ORAS), which is led by the Associate Dean for Research & Advisory Services (ADRAS).
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What counts as Advisory Service to the Commonwealth?
Advisory service activities specifically fulfill our obligation to provide science-based advice to the state and local government, maritime and coastal industries, and coastal communities. These activities can take many forms ranging from an email response to an inquiry for state agency personnel to a detailed technical report to service on a technical advisory committee.
Advisory service may take place outside of Virginia when it is expressly related to a regional body or issue in which the Commonwealth has an interest (e.g., Chesapeake Bay Program, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the sea scallop fishery).
These activities are considered in annual evaluations and in considerations for promotion and tenure.
Quality is more important that quantity (e.g., advisory activities are completed in a timely manner, unbiased and science-based, and the products are valued by our stakeholders).
What does not count as Advisory Service to the Commonwealth?
VIMS encourages faculty to be regional, national, and international leaders in their professional service activities and greatly values the many ways VIMS faculty help the Institute engage with a broader community. However, Advisory Service to Virginia is different from these activities and our mandate to address this aspect of our mission sets VIMS apart from other universities across the US.
Most activities that we usually categorize as Professional Service (e.g., serving on the board of a professional society, an NSF review panel, serving on the Technical Advisory Committee to the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan) would not be categorized as Advisory Service to Virginia.
You get credit for engaging in such activities, but they should be listed under Research and Professional Service in your evaluation materials.
Most activities that we would usually categorize as Outreach (e.g., speaking to school or civic groups, leading tours of VIMS) would not be categorized as Advisory Service to Virginia.
Include outreach activities under Education and Outreach in your annual evaluation materials.
How do I get involved with Advisory Service?
The most important thing to do is to get your research program up and running, hopefully with a local or regional presence. In most cases it is your research that will inform the advisory service that you provide to Virginia.
In your first few years at VIMS, you do not need go knocking on doors looking for ways to engage in advisory activity. The Office of Research & Advisory Service will contact you if an appropriate opportunity arises or your expertise can help to address advisory need.
The Associate Dean for Research & Advisory Service is available to discuss any questions that you may have about advisory service opportunities.
When the Virginia General Assembly is in session, bills and resolutions that may be of interest to those at VIMS are tracked on the General Assembly page (intranet).
