I wanted to let you know that your new project idea really interests
me. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of
Political Science. I'm one of the few highly quantitative political
scientists at ASU, having taken a field in methods in my
doctoral program at Texas A&M University and featuring multi-variate
quantitative analysis in published research. One of my
areas of interest is environmental policy.
I've been attending the CAP-LTER monthly meetings since my arrival at
ASU in August 1999 (and was present yesterday when you made
your remarks). I am currently completing a small project on Phoenix
area water policy that is funded by CAP-LTER for summer and
fall 2000. I am meeting with Profs. Redman and Grimm tomorrow
to discuss the continuation of the effort. We (a graduate student
named Gina Woodall and I) are collecting water data from CAP, SRP,
ADWR, and the cities in order to construct a annual (that is
aggregated, not real time at this point) database of where the water
come froms and for what purpose and where it is used. The
purpose of the data collection is to ultimately test a social science
hypothesis about institutional change (the dynamic
institutions) and policy output change (water flows from different
sources to different purposes).
I also helped the Morrison Institute for six months on their study of
growth in greater Phoenix (Hits and Misses). We collected
tons of data for that (mostly at yearly increments) and conducted a
survey of cities on growth mgt. strategies.
Best regards,
Glen Krutz
Glen S. Krutz, Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science
Arizona State University
Second area I didn't see mentioned was developing sustainability
indicators. This might involve using the data modeling and integration
as a basis for identifying baseline indicators of
susustainability/non-sustainability of the urban region. Seems
to be
increasing amounts of discussion of such indicators in the environmental
literature although they are admittedly difficult to pin down.
They
would probably involve a set of both environmental and social (quality
of life) indicators. There are various examples in the literature that
might be tapped.
The environmental hazards angle might be able to generate
NSF support
in the CMS division, particularly through the Infrastructure Management
and Hazard Response program.
Anyhow just thought I'd pass those your way as some possible 'hooks'
for
some social science participation in the project.