Hello,

In terms of opportunities to exchange knowledge and learn about new technologies/techniques, I would find it particularly valuable if once or twice a year a technology case workshop were held somewhere in the United States (and perhaps rotating regions each year).  

          The idea would be to bring one or two dozen practitioners together to go deep over perhaps two days into the dynamics of case that applies new technology/ies to environmental conflict resolution.  So rather than a display or gallery of assorted technologies more or less presented out of context, practitioners could understand the situation, considerations, and challenges associated with using a technology in the field.  And instead of gaining a superficial understanding of the technology, one would gain an in-depth understanding and ideally some training in the technology  

          Critical to this proposal would be to have one (or both) of the days involve some actual stakeholders in the workshop and exploration.

          This idea comes out of discussions with a gentleman at NOAA who is developing decision-support tools for marine spatial planning.  When we talked he explained that his biggest concern is that the tools would not end up being able to perform the tasks and support the kinds of analyses and questions that real stakeholders would have when trying to apply his tools in the field.  We talked about convening a small group of stakeholders and going through exercise that involved the realities of their case, and having them engage and test the tool's capacities.  

          We haven't gotten that far, but in thinking about the potential work of the USIECR Technology Committee and what would be most valuable for me as a practitioner, this kind of integrated workshop -- linking cutting edge technologies, a field site, and real stakeholders -- would be extraordinarily valuable, valuable enough to make me take two or three days off from work and fly across the country on my own dime.

          I hope this stimulates someone to respond and take the idea further in whatever form(s) resonate!

Best wishes,

Dorian