Hello Justice, Equity and Risk Specialty Group (JERSG) Members and Friends!  Please find updates for the following JERSG activities:

1. JERSG Special Issue on Equity and Justice in Risk Analysis: Call for Papers (new extended deadline TBD)
2. Upcoming JERSG General Membership Meeting (Monday, January 30, 2023, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET)
3. Invitation to join JERSG (How to join)!

1.  JERSG Special Issue on Equity and Justice in Risk Analysis:  Call for Papers

JERSG invites you to a call for papers for a Risk Analysis “Special Issue on Equity and Justice in Risk Analysis”.  The previous submission deadline (which was January 15, 2023) will be extended to a later date TDB.  Additional information can be found below.

Call for Papers – Risk Analysis:

Special Issue on “Equity and Justice in Risk Analysis”

Guest Editors:  Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson, PhD, (jmacdon@ncsu.edu; Indiana University, Bloomington), Amina Wilkins (Wilkins.Amina@epa.gov; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and Uni Blake (American Petroleum Institute, blakeu@api.org)

Area Editor:  Seth Guikema, Ph.D., University of Michigan

 

Background and Focus:

The Covid-19 pandemic, increased reporting of police violence, weather-related disasters such as major floods, and other events have contributed to a growing awareness of persistent inequities in how risks are distributed across societies.   The field of risk analysis has potential to make major contributions to understanding the sources and consequences of these inequities. However, there are multiple methodological and practical challenges to assessing, characterizing, and communicating the effects of inequitable risk distribution.  Challenges include lack of trust of risk analysts, difficulties in characterizing the full range of potential risk exposure, methodological limitations in quantifying the cumulative impacts from exposure to multiple risk factors, difficulties in accounting for intergenerational effects, and potential resistance to receiving messages about inequitable risk distribution among audiences with the power and authority to effect change. 

This special issue seeks submissions that report cutting-edge research on the rich possibilities of harnessing the tools of risk analysis toward the identification and mitigation of inequitable exposure to risk.  We also welcome perspective papers discussing the scope of inequity in risk, knowledge gaps in understanding, and implications for policy.

Key areas of focus include but are not limited to:

•          Methods (including cumulative risk assessment) for incorporating equity considerations into risk assessment

•          Adaptation of dose-response assessment procedures to account for cumulative effects of exposure to multiple risk factors

•          Methods for quantifying costs of inequitable exposure to risks

•          Consideration of equity in benefit-cost analysis for regulatory decision-making

•          Impacts of structural inequities on risks from natural disasters

•          Impacts of structural inequities on community resilience in the face of environmental changes

•          Impacts of structural inequities on working communities

•          Security and cybersecurity inequities

•          Intergenerational effects of inequitable exposure to risk

•          Trust in the risk analysis process in communities facing inequitable risk exposure

•          Community-engaged risk analysis

•          Communication of risk inequities

•          Perceptions of inequity in risk

 

Paper Submission:

Submitted articles must not have been previously published or currently submitted for journal publication elsewhere. Authors are responsible for understanding and adhering to the submission guidelines, which could be accessed at: http://sra.org/sra- journal, or http://manuscriptcentral.com/riskanalysis. Each paper will go through a rigorous review process. The authors are strongly recommended to contact the guest editors before submitting their manuscript. Please mention the special issue on “Equity and Justice in Risk Analysis” on the cover letter during the submission process.

 

Important Dates:

•          Submission Deadline: January 15, 2023 (Update:  The deadline will be moved to a later date – TBD)

•          First-Round Reviews (target): April 14, 2023

•          Special Issue Published: TBD

2.  JERSG General Membership Meeting (Monday, January 30, 2023, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET)

Please join JERSG to discuss a recap of the 2022 SRA Annual Meeting (including the workshop, roundtable, welcome the new leadership and members, bylaws, student winner, etc.); and to discuss new activities for the group.  It is important to join the Justice, Equity and Risk Specialty Group so that we can communicate with you to keep you updated and to send out the link to meetings, etc.

3.  Join JERSG!

The Justice, Equity and Risk Specialty Group (JERSG) of SRA general membership meetings are held the last Monday of each month from 12:00 to 12:30 pm EST.  To access meetings, please select JERSG as one of your specialty groups by going to: 1. www.SRA.org 2. Click ‘LOGIN’ in upper right corner 3. Enter your username and password 4. Click ‘Login’ button 5. Select ‘COMMETIES & GROUP’ 6. Scroll down under ‘Committees Available for Membership Header’ and pay the $15 fee (waivers may be available based on need; contact the JERSG chair for more information). If you need help with membership and logon, please contact Jennifer Rosenberg at jrosenberg@burkinc.com.

JERSG Bylaws

During the JERSG Business Meeting held December 5th during the 2022 SRA Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida, the bylaws were changed [so the Bylaws will soon be updated on this webpage]

JERSG leadership is recommending changes to the existing bylaws to create and elect members to “in-training” positions where they can first spend a year learning how to function in their role of interest.  These changes will be presented and voted on in the December 5^th JERSG Business Meeting in Tampa.  Below are the current JERSG Bylaws:

Bylaws

JUSTICE, EQUITY AND RISK SPECIALTY GROUP BY-LAWS

1. Purpose

The Justice, Equity and Risk Specialty Group (JERSG) of the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) provides a forum for SRA members interested in

• Identifying disparities in risks experienced by specific subpopulations and sources of those disparities 
• Informing the scientific community about issues related to justice and equity in the distribution of risks
• Collaborating to empower other SRA members to further address justice and equity concerns within their purview
• Discussing and recommending approaches to address and/or mitigate disparities in exposure to risk

II. Members of the JERSG

Members shall consist of all people with an interest in justice and equity matters pertaining to risk who indicate a desire to be members by submitting their names to the JERSG Chair, and who pay the annual dues to the Society for Risk Analysis. It is the option of the JERSG Executive Committee to request dues for membership to the JERSG. Payment of annual dues to the specialty group is required only for officers and voting members.  A waiver of dues can be requested to the JERSG Executive Committee based on financial need.  Documentation to support a claim of financial need is not necessary to grant such a request.

III. Meetings of Members

Annual meetings of the JERSG will be held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis. Announcements of the annual meetings will be included in the printed program of the Society.

IV. Government of the JERSG

1. Four officers will comprise an executive committee to govern the JERSG: Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer; and a Young Professional (Graduate Student/Postdoctoral/Early Career) Representative.

2. The duties of these officers are:

Chair: Chair an Annual JERSG Meeting at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis, work with SRA officials to organize JERSG meetings or panels, take other actions requested by the JERSG’s Officers or that are in the interest of the JERSG, and consult the SRA Specialty Group Guidance. Coordinate and encourage development of symposia for the annual meeting and solicit and track ideas for presentations at open teleconferences or other activities of the group. The Chair assists with new Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer transitions.  

Vice-Chair: Coordinates and administers the yearly student award program. This should include publicizing the award program, collecting submissions, forming, and chairing a committee to select the winners, informing the winners, and distributing the awards. The Vice-Chair may stand in for the president at a meeting should the president be unavailable. After completing a one-year term, the Vice-Chair will become Chair for a one-year term.                  

Secretary/Treasurer: Maintain a record of actions of the JERSG meeting and coordinate as appropriate with the SRA Secretariat to arrange JERSG meetings.

Maintain JERSG financial records and communicate relevant information to the JERSG membership.

Young Professional (Graduate Student/Postdoctoral/Early Career) Representative: Solicit nominations for the yearly student award program. Serve as a conduit for input to the Executive Committee on issues of interest to young professionals, graduate students, and postdoctoral research associates in risk analysis. To be eligible, this individual must, at the time of nomination, be either (a) enrolled in a post-baccalaureate Master’s or Doctoral degree program relevant to risk analysis (in the case of a Graduate Student) or (b) employed in a non-tenure track, temporary position (such as a postdoctoral research associate) within 3 years of receiving his/her PhD. This person may be nominated for a second term if they are still eligible. 

JERSG Executive Committee: Fill vacancies in any office including its own membership until the next election; nominate candidates for officer positions and solicit nominations from the membership; propose amendments to these bylaws or receive petitions for changes in the bylaws; make decisions and recommendations for any other business of the JERSG; encourage and promote the advancement of issues related to environmental justice; establish liaisons where appropriate with other societies and groups engaged in similar or related activities; and interpret these bylaws. Liaisons with other societies or groups will be members of the JERSG Executive Committee or appointees of the Executive Committee. Executive Committee member will consult the SRA Specialty Group Guidance regarding any changes in bylaws or operating procedures. 

3. JERSG Elections

CI. Notice of Elections and Nominations: 

On or around October 1, JERSG officers shall communicate to the membership that nominations are being accepted for officers to be voted on at the December Annual Meeting. JERSG Officers may choose to inform JERSG members of the nominations through the RISK Newsletter or other means. Elections are held for Chair, Secretary/Treasurer, and Young Professional (Graduate Student/Post-Doctoral/Early Career) Representative.  The position Chair is automatically filled by the Vice-Chair at the end of the Chair’s term. Nominations are accepted up to and including the time of the JERSG meeting at the SRA Annual Meeting.

CII. Election Process: 

Election of officers at the JERSG Meeting shall be by confidential ballot, with the elected officers taking office at the conclusion of the SRA Annual Meeting. Officers shall be elected by a plurality vote. In the case of a tie, the winner will be chosen by drawing lots. 

1. If there is only one nominee for any position, the Chair may move to accept said nominee without formal balloting. If any JERSG member present at the meeting objects, the election shall proceed in the usual way, i.e., by confidential ballot.

2. If no nominations for the position of Chair are made, the Executive Committee, at its discretion, will (1) appoint one of the Officers to this position for a term ending at the next annual business meeting of the JERSG or (2) appoint another JERSG member to the position of rotational Chair for that year.

3. If no nominations for Secretary/Treasurer or Young Professional Representative are made, the vacant position will be appointed by the Executive Committee (1) from the Officers or (2) if no Officer is willing to accept the vacant position, then from the JERSG general membership, for a term ending at the next annual business meeting of the JERSG.

4. Question or conflicts regarding any election shall be settled by the Executive Committee.

5. In the event that an officer is unable or unwilling to complete their term of office, the Executive Committee may fill the vacancy with an individual of their choosing on an interim basis until the next election, at which time a replacement (possibly the individual selected for the interim) will be elected to fill the remaining term of the officer.

4. The terms of office for JERSG Officers are:

Chair: 1 year. 

Vice Chair: 1 year, after which she or he succeeds to Chair

Secretary/Treasurer: 1 year.

Young Professional (Graduate Student/Postdoctoral Representative/Early Career) Representative: 1 year. 

V. Amendments to the Bylaws

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed at any time by the Executive Committee or by petition containing signatures of 25% of paid JERSG members (including any who have received waivers of membership dues), or by majority vote of the participants at the annual JERSG Business Meeting. Amendments to these bylaws may be enacted by either (1) a majority vote of responding JERSG members via email or standard mail or (2) a majority vote of JERSG members attending the annual JERSG business meeting. The intent of these rules is to allow changes to bylaws to occur at the annual business meeting, immediately following a proposal to change the bylaws at the same meeting, as well as at times other than the annual meeting, where necessary. Although the rules allow for the proposal and enactment of changes at the annual meeting, the Executive Committee is encouraged to provide at least 30 days of notice to the membership of its intent to enact changes to the bylaws at the annual meeting. 

VI. Implementation of Bylaws

These bylaws will initially take effect when approved by the SRA Council.  Subsequent amendments will take effect as described in Section V.