date: Tue May 21 14:30:50 2002 from: Tim Osborn subject: Re: URGENT!!! Fwd: Letters re strategic review to: Clare Goodess I'm now making modifications and responding to suggestions... At 10:23 21/05/02, you wrote: Palaeo people: Ray Bradley, Jean Jouzel, Andre Berger, Geoffrey Boulton? We'll go with Ray Bradley. What about more impacts-related people? We have Arnell, Beniston, UKCIP, and I'll be adding Melvin Cannell and Richard Harding, so that's probably enough. I felt uneasy about the mention of 'people' though didnt pick up on it. I'd delete it. This issue is sort of covered in second question in section 2. I think it is the combination of "poor reputation" and "people" that is the main problem - it's not so bad if specific people are named in a positive manner. Jean later suggested that we re-focus this question towards the "good reputation", so I'll do that. Q2 of "development of CRU" is one I was considering deleting. 3. You've only asked about contract research. What about CRU as a provider of postgraduate training - this is an essential part of our activities these days and it would be useful to have some responses on whether people think that's a good thing, how funding sources are likely to change etc. Yes, should be included, e.g., ENV/UEA people, NERC, possibly EC I agree. 4. I think someone like Melvin Cannell should definitely be included (and maybe also the head of IoH) - these are institutes like are own with similar preoccupations. I can see you don't want too many people; much though I respect Rebecca, I don't think she can help us with this. yes I agree. 5. Funding bodies are quite narrowly specified also. We could do with someone from industry. (Neither Andrew nor Mike are asked about the future). This could be insurance e.g., Michael Michaelides from CGNU or, better, Dougal Goodman. Or it could be Nirex - they must be one of the most longstanding funders in CRU. DEFRA probably only merits one person - Who is Peter Costigan and how well does he know CRU? I think Mike Thorne should be asked some questions about future. Yes CGNU - yes I'd rather go for Dougal Goodman, being broader-based. BP/Shell? Still not keen on this - unless someone has a name of someone closely involved in climate and with some knowledge of CRU or CRU's work - any names? Nirex: could approach Paul Degnan (closely involved in CRU work), or, going up hierarchy, Alan Hooper (knows about CRU work, though 1-step removed) I'll offer Paul and Alan as suggestions for CRU board to consider. EPSRC? Peter Bates? Similar question to BP/Shell - does Peter Bates know climate well, and CRU or CRU's work at least partly? A last quick comment is, why not go to the top in NERC - I'd send it to John Lawton Yes I agree I dont see any problem in delay and would feel happier with 'formal' endorsement of CRU Board. Yes Cheers Tim