Activites are defined as Advisory Service when they specifically fulfill our obligation to provide science-based advice to state and local government, maritime and coastal industries, and coastal communities of Virginia.
Advisory service to the Commonwealth may take place outside of Virginia when it is expressly related to a regional body or issue in which the Commonwealth has an interest (e.g., Chesapeake Bay Program, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the sea scallop fishery).
Advisory activities take many forms, ranging from email responses to inquiries from state agency personnel to detailed technical reports to service on technical advisory committees.
For faculty, these activities are considered in annual evaluations and in considerations for promotion and tenure.
Quality is more important that quantity (e.g., advisory activities are completed in a timely manner, unbiased and science-based, and the products are valued by our stakeholders).
Other types of service
VIMS encourages faculty to be regional, national, and international leaders in their professional service activities and greatly values the many ways VIMS faculty help the Institute engage with a broader community.
Most activities that we usually categorize as Professional Service (e.g., serving on the board of a professional society, an NSF review panel, serving on the Technical Advisory Committee to the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan) would not be categorized as Advisory Service to Virginia. These activities should be listed under Research and Professional Service in your evaluation materials.
Activities that we would usually categorize as Outreach (e.g., speaking to school or civic groups, leading tours of VIMS) should be listed under Education and Outreach in your annual evaluation materials.
How do I get involved with Advisory Service?
The most important thing to do is to get your research program up and running, hopefully with a local or regional presence. In most cases it is your research that will inform the advisory service that you provide to Virginia.
In your first few years at VIMS, you do not need go knocking on doors looking for ways to engage in advisory activity. The Office of Research & Advisory Service will contact you if an appropriate opportunity arises or your expertise can help to address advisory need.
