Terms of Reference Established by Harvard University

Terms of Reference Established by Harvard University

[NOTE: The materials from this point forward were drafted by Harvard University and not the Advisory Committee]

Background and Function

The SCoPEx Research Team sought external advice from a range of stakeholders for governing SCoPEx. Based on this guidance, the Advisory Committee was established as an independent body to provide advice on the research and governance of SCoPEx.

This Advisory Committee has been established under the auspices of the Harvard Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Frank Doyle, and the Harvard Vice Provost for Research, Richard McCullough, who will work as liaisons between the Advisory Committee and the SCoPEx Research Team. The Advisory Committee is providing advice to the Harvard Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Harvard Vice Provost for Research, and the SCoPEx Principal Investigator, Frank Keutsch.

Transparency and Publicity

The composition and remit of the Search Committee (which selected the Chair of the Advisory Committee), the composition and terms of reference of the Advisory Committee, the reports from the Advisory Committee, and other appropriate materials will be posted on the Harvard University website in a timely manner, in consultation with the Advisory Committee. 

In the interest of fostering open dialogue within the Committee, Harvard University and the SCoPEx Research Team will not promote or draw attention to non-public statements of these Committees or their members in the media or other public venues without the express written consent of Search and Advisory Committee members. 

The purpose of the Advisory Committee is:

  1. To advise the Harvard Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Harvard Vice Provost for Research, and the SCoPEx project Principal Investigator on the research and governance of SCoPEx.
  2. To advise Harvard University and the SCoPEx Research Team on several arenas, including: (a) The scientific quality and importance of the proposed experiments, including scientific review and processes and standards for transparency; (b) Risks associated with the proposed research program, including environmental and social risks; (c) Effectiveness of risk management including regulatory compliance management of environmental health and safety; (d) The need, objectives and possible formats for stakeholder engagement; and (e) Other issues as deemed necessary by the Advisory Committee. 
  3. To provide a periodic public written evaluation of the experiment plan in the arenas described above.
  4. To ensure that mechanisms are established to share both research outcomes and governance lessons learned from SCoPEx with researchers and diverse stakeholders.

The role of the SCoPEx Research Team in relation to the Advisory Committee is:

  1. Take the Advisory Committee’s questions and recommendations with the utmost seriousness.
  2. Respond publicly and in a timely manner to the Advisory Committee’s public questions and recommendations.
  3. Not initiate field experiments until after they have responded to the Advisory Committee’s questions and recommendations in its initial report.
  4. Alter, delay, or cancel the experiment if, taking into account Committee recommendations, Harvard University or the SCoPEx Research Team conclude that failing to do so would imperil Harvard’s goal of an international, transparent, and sustainable research program.

The role of Harvard University and specifically the Vice Provost for Research is:

  1. Support the Committee in recruiting international Committee members.
  2. Facilitate a scientific peer review on behalf of the Committee.