Mission and Values

SETAC’s mission is to advance environmental science and management.

 

SETAC is dedicated to advancing environmental science and science-informed decision-making through collaboration, communication, education and leadership. We fulfill that purpose through events, publications, awards and education programs.

Vision

SETAC uses the slogan “Environmental Quality Through Science®” to convey its vision to its members, stakeholders and the public. 

Principles

SETAC was built in 1979 upon a set of founding principles to which the society remains committed. SETAC's principles, as currently defined, are: 

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Multidisciplinary Approaches to Solving Environmental Problems

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Multi-Stakeholder Engagement 

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Science-based Objectivity 

Values

All SETAC members and guests are expected to adhere to the SETAC Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. Further SETAC embraces a set of values to which all members and organizational entities of SETAC adhere:

  • Transparency – SETAC is committed to being an open and transparent society 
  • Integrity – SETAC insists on personal and scientific integrity 
  • Diversity and Inclusion – SETAC strives for both scientific and individual diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of governance and programming. Diversity in sciences is inclusive of collaborative sciences sometimes referred to as multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary environmental science fields. Individual diversity includes diversity in cultures, races, religions, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender expressions, gender identities, marital statuses, political affiliations, visible and unseen disabilities, expertise and career level, and affiliation sectors (multi-sectoral). 
  • Equity – SETAC promotes impartiality and fair-mindedness within procedures and processes 
  • Sustainability – SETAC embraces sustainability in all of its activities 
  • Cooperation and dialogue – SETAC transparency extends into open science with a goal of stimulating knowledge sharing through cooperation and dialogue

Strategic Priorities

2024 Onwards

Priority I: Promote Environmental Science and Science-Based Decision Making

Objectives:

  • Collaboration: Foster multidisciplinary multi-sectoral programs to fill gaps between current research and decision needs.
  • Communication: Communicate widely about environmental science and management.
  • Education: Offer educational programs in environmental sciences and management.
  • Leadership: Develop and nurture leaders in environmental science and management.
  • Structures: Ensure an inclusive and equitable society where members can be engaged.

Priority II: Sustain Operational Health

Objectives:

  • Governance: Have an agile and inclusive competency-based governance model.
  • Financial: Have a robust financial model with diverse revenue streams
  • Operations: Have an agile and inclusive professional administrative model.
Download a copy of the 2024–2029 SETAC Strategic Plan.