The
Social
Science
Woven
into
Meteorology
(SSWIM) initiative weaves social
science concepts and methodologies
into the fabric of weather and climate
applications.
SSWIM
began at the National Weather Center in 2008. In
2011, activities are
underway in Norman, OK, London, Ontario, and Colorado Springs, CO.
SSWIM
considers complex
problems at the intersection of weather, climate, and society.
We address
challenges and opportunities including, but not limited to, improving
forecasts
and warnings, reducing social vulnerability to natural hazards, and
understanding community and cultural adaptations to weather extremes.
SSWIM’s
objectives are
innovative research and capacity
building:
·
Using qualitative as well as
quantitative approaches including archival, ethnographic, statistical,
and participatory methods
·
Collaborating with public,
private, and academic sectors, including students, practitioners, and
policymakers across the spectrum of stakeholders
|
VISION
Collaborative
research
&
partnerships
between
the social sciences &
meteorology, climatology, & hydrology to enhance societal relevance
of research & practice & reduce risks from atmospheric &
other hazards
|
MISSION
Creatively
& sustainably weaves social science concepts & methodologies
into the fabric of weather & climate research & practice
through academic & professional activities locally, nationally
& globally
|
SSWIM
facilitates a paradigm
shift from
conventional disciplinary perspectives to new integrated ways of
knowing and
communicating about weather
and climate
that
·
Changes the
research to
operations equation from a top down model to one that includes all
stakeholders equally in seamless end-to-end relationships
·
Cultivates a cadre of
graduate
students from diverse disciplines
·
Provides
grassroots social science education to weather and climate professionals
·
Conducts qualitative and
quantitative research to learn how emergency managers, school
superintendents, university emergency managers, and others use weather
information to support their decisions
SSWIM
collaborates with
·
NOAA: the Storm Prediction Center, the National Severe Storms
Laboratory, the Warning Decision Training Branch, the Global Systems
Division, the Hazardous Weather Testbed
·
OU: Department of Geography,
Center for Applied Social Research
·
Others: GNS New Zealand,
National Center for Atmospheric Research, American Meteorological
Society and the Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program
·
Brings
together researchers and practitioners working along the continuum from
weather
to climate
