Introduction

The International Society of Exposure Science (intlexposurescience.org) is a non-profit scientificsociety established in 1989 to advance exposure science and promote its role in environmentalepidemiology, environmental policy making, ecosystem protection, and human health. ISESconvenes an annual scientific meeting and publishes its official peer-reviewed scientific journal— the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology — in partnership withSpringer Nature.

Vision

To better our world, its ecosystems, and inhabitants, by creating a community that advances and integrates exposure science into research and action.

Mission

The International Society of Exposure Science (ISES) promotes and advances exposure science as it relates to the complex inter-relationships between human populations, communities, ecosystems, wildlife, and chemical, biological, and physical agents, and nonchemical stressors. ISES members have diverse expertise and training in biological, physical, environmental, social sciences, and various engineering disciplines. According to the National Research Council, “exposure science links human and ecological behavior to environmental processes in such a way that the information generated can be used to mitigate or prevent future adverse exposures.”

Why ISES

There are three factors about the Society that make it unique and relevant as it relates to other societies and initiatives. It is multidisciplinary in that the Society’s members are individual scientists representing a broad array of disciplines, including: exposure assessment, chemistry, biochemistry, risk assessment, biostatistics, physiology, toxicology, epidemiology, ecology, environmental fate and transport, and environmental engineering. ISES welcomes members from academia, government, and the private sector who serve as scientists, scientific managers, and policy makers. It has an international focus which provides support and perspective for the membership with very diverse and unique circumstances. The Society focuses on exposure science using information to prevent adverse exposures to human beings, land, animals as well as water and air and in doing so improve well-being for our world.

Accomplishments

In 2019 the Society celebrated its 30th anniversary and some of the many accomplishments in the field of exposure science since 1989 are:

  1. Reduction of children’s lead exposures
  2. Advancement of biomonitoring
  3. Understanding of exposure to emerging contaminants, like PFAS
  4. Assessment of cumulative and aggregate pesticide exposure
  5. Hazards associated with exposure to second-hand smoke
  6. Strategies for European REACH legislation Task Force Members

Strategic Plan Task Force

A special thanks goes out to the following members for dedicating a tremendous amount of time, energy, and sweat equity during the development of this plan.

Paloma Beamer, Ph.D.

Tim Buckley, Ph.D.

Karen Galea, Ph.D.

Erin Haynes, Dr.PH, M.S.

Elizabeth Marder, Ph.D., M.S.

Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem, Ph.D.

Crystal Romeo Upperman, Ph.D.

Jonathan Thornburg, Ph.D.

Nicolle Tulve, Ph.D.

Strategic Plan Process

The creation and design of this strategic plan took approximately 12 months to research, interview, develop and edit. During this 12-month period, the following activities and milestones were achieved:

• Interviews of key stakeholders

• Surveys of current and lapsed members

• In-person interviews and focus groups at the annual meeting

• 11 conference calls with the task force

Along the way, the Board of Directors was informed about the progress and provided with opportunities to provide feedback. The strategic plan consists of 4 major goals and 24 initiatives. Each initiative has been assigned to a committee or committees for implementation. The BOD will review progress on this 5 year plan on a quarterly basis and modify if necessary.

Goals:

  1. Advance the discipline of exposure science through education, advocacy, and collaboration. 
  2. Broaden the Society by growing membership with an emphasis on global, student/new researcher, and discipline expansion.
  3. Create a diverse and international community of exposure science professionals that is welcoming, collaborative, and nurturing across our government, academic and private sectors. 
  4. Maintain the relevance, impact, resilience, and sustainability of ISES to serve current and future generations through the implementation of administrative and financial structures and processes that are efficient and promote growth. 

GOAL 1: Advance the discipline of exposure science through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

  • Strategic Initiative 1.1: Design and execute an ongoing educational/marketing campaign on the importance of exposure science focused on relevant topics, milestones and opportunities.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Identify successes in the last 30 years
      • Educate the mainstream audience about the current and future challenges and translate the science to mainstream audience.
      • Establish a strong social media plan that includes expert content from committees and membership as well as unique social media presence that will grow awareness
  • Strategic Initiative 1.2 – Partner with other scientific associations with similar mission statements and values as experts in the field of exposure science.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Identify other associations who want to bring education and awareness of exposure science to their audience
        • Participate in their annual meetings as experts in the field of exposure science.
        • Create an exposure science track that can be included in other association annual meeting.
        • Continue to partner with other relevant associations to host annual meetings where the field of exposure science is at the forefront of the conversation.
  • Strategic Initiative 1.3 – Establish a resource center within the website where papers, research, documentaries and other sources of information on exposure science can be housed as a centralized location for our Society.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

          • Identify and collect content for a networking platform of human biomonitoring programs.
          •  Include guidelines for members of the society.
  • Strategic Initiative 1.4 – Conduct webinars/podcasts with recognized leaders in exposure science to promote the field and how it applies to other disciplines.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

        • A minimum of 2 webinars will be hosted internationally to encourage dialogue outside the annual meeting.
        • A minimum of 5 webinars will be designed and conducted for various audiences including 3 for student/new researchers and 2 for experienced researchers.
  • Strategic Initiative 1.5 – Promote JESEE as the premier journal for publishing exposure science papers.
Tactics to achieve strategic initiative
        • Promote JESEE within all communications platforms (email blasts, website, social media).
        • Build a strong partnership with JESEE administrators to grow reach and effectiveness.
  • Strategic Initiative 1.6 – Grow the annual meeting and promote the meeting as the premier meeting for exposure science research

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

        • Identify educational and research tracks for specialized practitioners.
        • Identify tracks specific to chapters
        • Identify markets where annual meetings could encourage collaborations with key exposure science stakeholders.
        • Identify a three-year rotating RFP process. In this arrangement, the annual meeting will always be identified at least three years out.
  • Strategic Initiative 1.7 – Promote research and members in exposure science.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

        • Promote nominations for annual awards with affiliates and other outside organizations.
        • Promote award winners with affiliates and other outside organizations.
        • Identify additional funding opportunities for specific research topics.

Goal 2: Broaden the Society by growing membership with an emphasis on global, student/new researcher, and discipline expansion.

  • Strategic Initiative 2.1 : Establish an overarching membership acquisition strategy and timeline for membership growth in selected developing countries.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Select developing countries to be the focus of the initial acquisition strategy.
      • Work with ISES members in the geographic region of interest.
      • Establish a task force to produce a work plan to identify appropriate marketing and outreach materials to recruit new members (meet regularly by phone).
        • Identify ambassadors in geographic regions of the world where current membership should grow.
        • Make annual visit to developing country to focus on recruiting new members.
        • Share best practices with ISES members of that country (or countries) for membership recruitment.
          • In-person, webinars or other forms of communication.
      • Develop a train-the-trainer program.
      • Provide resources developed by the task force to the ambassadors so they can recruit members to the Society.
      • Establish a member-get-a-member campaign with awards.
      • Strategically plan regional meetings in locations where membership should grow.
  • Strategic Initiative 2.2 – Expand student/new researcher initiatives to increase membership of early career scientists.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

        • Identify initiatives of interest to early career scientists.
        • Expand mentoring program for early career scientists.
        • Develop activities at the annual/regional meetings of interest to early career scientists.
  • Strategic Initiative 2.3 – Identify new disciplines that utilize exposure science and develop partnerships with other scientific organizations.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

        • Market exposure science to other public health and ecological focused professional societies.
        • Incorporate exposure science topic sessions at other professional society meetings.
        • Advertise exposure science/environmental science to universities where members from ISES originate.
  • Strategic Initiative 2.4 – Enhance member benefits for all members

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

        • Establish a community forum for members to collaborate and connect outside annual meetings.
        • Identify opportunities regionally for additional in- person experiences
        • Identify opportunities for member benefits at various stages of career
        • Identify and implement regional-focused member benefits
          •  benefits specific to Europe, Asia, U.S
  • Strategic Initiative 2.5 – Identify growth opportunities for the annual meeting.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

        • Expand the annual meeting to appeal to scientists, researchers, policy makers, others who would not typically attend ISES to attend the annual meeting
        • Identify educational and research tracks for specialized practitioners (see 1.6)
        • Identify tracks specific to chapters (see 1.6)
        • Grow annual meeting participation by identifying appropriate markets to host the event.
        • Consider multiple meetings per year (regional or Chapter meetings).
  • Strategic Initiative 2.6 – Increase membership through chapter expansion

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

        • Identify and implement standard practices for chapter operations (see 4.5)
        • Identify and implement financial responsibilities for chapters (see 4.5)
        • Identify regional meetings for chapters supported by the overall Society.
        • Create strategies for chapter members to be members of the overall Society.
  • Strategic Initiative 2.7 – Use JESEE as a platform for recruiting new members

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

        • Advertise the benefits of publishing research in JESEE.
        • Market and promote manuscripts on the ISES website.
        • Work with Nature and EIC to institute other recognition programs for publications in JESEE.

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GOAL 3: Create a diverse and international community of exposure science professionals that is welcoming, collaborative, and nurturing across our government, academic and private sectors.

  • Strategic Initiative 3.1 – Instill/Imbue a mentoring culture within ISES.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Create an online platform that will aid in matching mentors and mentees.
      • Establish an online community forum for the purpose of connecting senior exposure scientists with student/new researchers.
      • Expand the mentorship program to include mentorship for senior researchers from other fields who are new to exposure science or who are changing sectors or positions within the exposure science field.
  • Strategic Initiative 3.2 – Recognize/reward/celebrate member excellence in ISES-related research, practice, and mentorship.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Promote nominations for annual awards with affiliates and other outside organizations including academic institutions.
      • Promote award winners with affiliates and other outside organizations.
      • Identify additional funding opportunities for specific research topics.
      • Grow a social media marketing program that promotes members and their research.
      • Enhance member spotlights and promote member accomplishments in the member monthly emails.
      • Develop a more formal recognition system for members – acknowledgement of awards or volunteering.
  • Strategic Initiative 3.3 – Establish networking opportunities for members to further advance their careers outside the annual meeting.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Establish regional meetings or other events throughout the year that will bring researchers and members together.
      • Establish a Cohort 20 Group: Group of 20 professionals who would be identified as emerging leaders or highly regarded in the field who would come together periodically throughout the year virtually and in-person.
      • Establish an online venue for S/NR members to prepare for the conference.
  • Strategic Initiative 3.4 – Develop a professional development program within ISES.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Develop leadership training for mid-career exposure scientists.
      • Establish a webinar program with on key topics such as: the development of soft skills; career options in exposure science, challenges and solutions in leading an exposure studypage8image4006465280
      • Provide pre-submission abstract editing services for English as a second language members
      • Develop a scientific communication and editorial writing program to train members how to communicate about exposure science
  • Strategic Initiative 3.5 – Annual meeting planning will include consideration for welcoming new members, celebrating diversity, networking, mentoring, building relationships, socializing, and caring for member wellbeing (e.g. exercise and diet). The meeting will reflect the values of ISES.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Highlight and organize a welcome reception for student/new researchers and travel award winners at the start of the annual meeting and ensure there are multiple social/networking events for students
      • Develop a diversity networking event similar to the women’s networking event that will allow those from backgrounds underrepresented in ISES to network.
      • Identify recommendations that will be incorporated into planning the annual meeting in order to improve accessibility and accommodate our diverse attendee population.
      • Ensure that ISES meetings are supportive of those with dietary needs.
      • Develop events at that conference that encourage socializing or exercising together.

GOAL 4: Maintain the relevance, impact, resilience, and sustainability of ISES to serve current and future generations through the implementation of administrative and financial structures and processes that are efficient and promote growth.

  • Strategic Initiative 4.1 – Create a single, categorized budget for the organization that includes all revenue and expenditures of the Society

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Establish the BOD as the governing body of the consolidated ISES budget.
      •  Create or use a budget template that captures all revenue and expense categories, including the annual meeting, with applicable sub-categories to track the types of revenue and expenses associated with each category.
  • Strategic Initiative 4.2 – Establish the annual meeting as a function of the BOD with appropriate structures for oversight by the BOD and decision-making abilities for the annual meeting technical organizing committee chair(s).

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Define reporting lines and reports/tracking between conference co-chair(s), Financial Committee, BOD, Association Management Firm, and Conference Management Firm to ensure fiscal responsibility.
      • Establish a continuous reporting structure for the recruitment and sale of the exhibitors, sponsors and other partners of the Society to ensure ongoing relationship building and cultivation in order to grow from year to year and develop a loyalty.
      •  Develop procedures for applying for multi-year conference grants (e.g., NIEHS)
      •  Define and outline the role of the annual meeting chair(s)
  • Strategic Initiative 4.3 – Ensure all articles of incorporation, by-laws, budgets, policies, procedures, position statements, and other documents are stored on Basecamp. The current and all previous versions of final/approved documents will be maintained for posterity.

 

  • Strategic Initiative 4.4 – Update and reorganize the committee structure as necessary to meet the needs of the Society

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Establish 5 standing committees for the purpose of conducting society business*
      • Define and outline the role of each committee chair
      • Create and approve organizational chart for committees and key roles
      • Ad Hoc and Project-Specific committees or task forces will be established as needed and report to one standing committee. These will be reviewed annually and start/stop as needed.
  • Strategic Initiative 4.5 – Update chapter structures and guidelines to benefit the Society and support the chapters under the 2020 Strategic Plan.

Tactics to achieve strategic initiative

      • Develop updated chapter guidelines to be approved (see 2.6)
      • Update bylaws and chapter agreements.
      • Implement new guidelines for chapters (see 2.6)