Action and Expert Groups are established by the three Science Groups or the Executive Committee to address specific research topics in which current research is lacking or more coordination is needed. The Standing Committees may also establish Action and Expert Groups with approval from the Executive Committee.
Action Groups generally address one specific issue and are short-term. The lifetime of an Action Group is two years, extendable to four years. After four years, Action Groups should be disbanded. Action Groups may apply to transition into Expert Groups at the end of their four-year terms.
Expert Groups have a broader focus than Action Groups and a longer lifetime of six to eight years, with the option of renewal.
Action and Expert Groups are usually established following a proposal from members of the scientific community to one or more Science Groups, or to a Standing Committee. Proposals to multiple groups are encouraged as Science Group terms of reference include fostering cross-disciplinary research. Action and Expert Groups report to their ‘parent’ Science Group(s) or Standing Committee(s). If no appropriate Science Group or Standing Committee exists, the SCAR Executive Committee may establish Action or Expert Groups, which report directly to the Executive Committee. Membership of Action and Expert Groups is open to any interested researchers from SCAR member countries.
For the full process of proposing Action and Expert Groups, including a detailed description of what should be included in the proposal and the proposal template, please see our document ‘Creating new Action and Expert Groups’.
For more guidance about Action and Expert Groups – including reporting, organising meetings, creating working groups, leadership and membership, and how to extend and end the term of an Action or Expert Group, please see the group guidance pages on the SCAR website.
