The Brooks Institute has the following operating committees:

Each committee has the same function in its respective areas of focus, and each committee is charged with the following―in its respective realm:

  • Survey, review, and advise on resource gaps in science, law, public policy, and other empirical or social research and data;
  • In coordination with the Standards/Science Committee, develop, refine, and maintain “Gold Standards” of research and writing;
  • Design and recommend projects, commissions, and research;
  • Assist the Institute staff in monitoring ongoing projects and commissions and provide a peer review component; and
  • Contribute to Brooks Institute discussion forums.

Generally, the operating committees are charged to ask and answer the following questions:

Gap Analysis

  • What is missing of empirical information and resources?
  • Should this be answered by the committee or through a commissioned study?

Priorities

  • What can make the biggest impact for change?
  • Should this be answered by the committee or through a commissioned study?

Process, Procedures, Methods, Standards and Integrity

  • How can the “What” be best created as a Gold Standard, with minimum bias?
  • Should the projects be funded by the Institute or by collaborative partners?

Effective Communication and Usage

  • How can the “What” be best made available to others in the animal protection community and beyond?

The Institute views the Operating Committees and their members as valuable resources to develop new or enhanced science, law, public policy, and other empirical or social research and data towards animal protection renaissance. The Institute provides to the operating committees the tools and environment of productive and creative collaboration; and an effective implementation of their product.

To fulfill product implementation, the Institute will either self-fund projects or partner with other interested collaborators.