FAQ - Expert list
This FAQ (frequently asked questions) is primarily designed for individuals considering being listed as experts with the Forum on the Arms Trade.
What kinds of expertise are needed to be included in the Forum?
The Forum is open to civil society experts who typically have at least four or fives years of professional experience and a track record of publishing and/or media references related to addressing the humanitarian, economic and other implications of arms transfers, security assistance, and weapons use. Experts do not need to be primarily focused on the arms trade, but they should be able to discuss the relevance of arms transfers, security assistance, and/or weapons-related topics within their area(s) of expertise.
Institutional affiliation is only provided for identification purposes. The Forum does not list experts identified as working in the military or government, whether in the executive or legislative branch, or for intergovernmental institutions. The Forum also does not list experts working for defense industries.
Does the Forum include experts based outside the United States?
Yes, and the Forum has many fantastic international experts listed! Because the Forum was initially focused on US policy and promoting understanding in Washington DC, there is a special emphasis on making sure DC experts are included. That said, the Forum seeks experts nationally and internationally, especially those who are willing and comfortable being a resource for US-based media and policymakers.
What are experts expected to do and how might they benefit from being listed?
Being listed as an expert is meant to help strengthen our community as well as increase awareness of our collective work. In being listed, experts should be willing to respond to inquiries that come from referrals and engage with other Forum experts in a constructive manner. In part because the Forum limits the number of experts from any one organization, listed experts are also expected to communicate within [and about] their organizations in order to help share information efficiently.
Doing more, such as providing expert commentary on the latest developments, writing for the Looking Ahead blog, helping to organize events, and taking on leadership and development tasks, is encouraged but is not a requirement.
There are many potential benefits of being listed. Many experts appreciate being connected to others so that they can be kept abreast of issues of interest that fall outside their immediate work. Listed experts also have access to an internal listserv that facilitates sharing and question-asking across the community, as well as select off-the-record professional learning opportunities such as a monthly informal lunch series in Washington DC.
More publicly, the Forum maintains an active social media presence and tries to diligently share the publications and analysis of listed experts. The Forum also creates resource pages that feature experts’ individual and organizational analysis on select issues (example) and seeks the opinions of experts to be disseminated to media and a public audience in rapid response situations (example). Experts also often refer media inquiries to each other. The Forum co-hosts public events, with listed experts frequently serving as panelists. At times, the Forum does publish original work by experts, typically as part of a blog or other publication series (example). All of the above provide additional avenues for bringing experts’ work to a broader audience. The Forum is careful, however, to make clear that promoted work is that of individual experts (and their organizations, where relevant), not that of the Forum (see next FAQ question).
Do experts have to agree with each other?
Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. Institutional affiliation is indicated for identification purposes only.
How are decisions made on who is included in the Forum's experts list?
The Forum on the Arms Trade is a cooperative project of a growing number of experts, currently managed by Jeff Abramson. A membership committee, currently comprised of Jeff Abramson, Hiruni Alwishewa, Natalia Báez Zamudio, Lode Dewaegheneire, and Loren Persi takes responsibility for decisions on who to include on the experts lists. Experts already listed are at times consulted about potential new experts and given an opportunity to provide insights on professional background and fit with the Forum's purpose.
What is the best way to indicate a desire to be listed?
Expressing an interest to be listed as an expert is relatively easy. Interested experts are also encouraged to email biographical information and preferred issue area expertise, described below:
Is there a fee or other cost for being listed?
There is no cost for being listed. (In the past, listed experts were encouraged to make a financial contribution to support the Forum's work that was comfortably within their means. Suggested donation amounts were $50 per year for professionals earning less than $50,000 annually, and $100 per year for those earning more. At this moment the Forum does not have a mechanism for receiving individual contributions, but may again at some point in the future.)
More questions?
Please contact:
Forum on the Arms Trade
[email protected]
(202) 780-6215
What kinds of expertise are needed to be included in the Forum?
The Forum is open to civil society experts who typically have at least four or fives years of professional experience and a track record of publishing and/or media references related to addressing the humanitarian, economic and other implications of arms transfers, security assistance, and weapons use. Experts do not need to be primarily focused on the arms trade, but they should be able to discuss the relevance of arms transfers, security assistance, and/or weapons-related topics within their area(s) of expertise.
Institutional affiliation is only provided for identification purposes. The Forum does not list experts identified as working in the military or government, whether in the executive or legislative branch, or for intergovernmental institutions. The Forum also does not list experts working for defense industries.
Does the Forum include experts based outside the United States?
Yes, and the Forum has many fantastic international experts listed! Because the Forum was initially focused on US policy and promoting understanding in Washington DC, there is a special emphasis on making sure DC experts are included. That said, the Forum seeks experts nationally and internationally, especially those who are willing and comfortable being a resource for US-based media and policymakers.
What are experts expected to do and how might they benefit from being listed?
Being listed as an expert is meant to help strengthen our community as well as increase awareness of our collective work. In being listed, experts should be willing to respond to inquiries that come from referrals and engage with other Forum experts in a constructive manner. In part because the Forum limits the number of experts from any one organization, listed experts are also expected to communicate within [and about] their organizations in order to help share information efficiently.
Doing more, such as providing expert commentary on the latest developments, writing for the Looking Ahead blog, helping to organize events, and taking on leadership and development tasks, is encouraged but is not a requirement.
There are many potential benefits of being listed. Many experts appreciate being connected to others so that they can be kept abreast of issues of interest that fall outside their immediate work. Listed experts also have access to an internal listserv that facilitates sharing and question-asking across the community, as well as select off-the-record professional learning opportunities such as a monthly informal lunch series in Washington DC.
More publicly, the Forum maintains an active social media presence and tries to diligently share the publications and analysis of listed experts. The Forum also creates resource pages that feature experts’ individual and organizational analysis on select issues (example) and seeks the opinions of experts to be disseminated to media and a public audience in rapid response situations (example). Experts also often refer media inquiries to each other. The Forum co-hosts public events, with listed experts frequently serving as panelists. At times, the Forum does publish original work by experts, typically as part of a blog or other publication series (example). All of the above provide additional avenues for bringing experts’ work to a broader audience. The Forum is careful, however, to make clear that promoted work is that of individual experts (and their organizations, where relevant), not that of the Forum (see next FAQ question).
Do experts have to agree with each other?
Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. Institutional affiliation is indicated for identification purposes only.
How are decisions made on who is included in the Forum's experts list?
The Forum on the Arms Trade is a cooperative project of a growing number of experts, currently managed by Jeff Abramson. A membership committee, currently comprised of Jeff Abramson, Hiruni Alwishewa, Natalia Báez Zamudio, Lode Dewaegheneire, and Loren Persi takes responsibility for decisions on who to include on the experts lists. Experts already listed are at times consulted about potential new experts and given an opportunity to provide insights on professional background and fit with the Forum's purpose.
What is the best way to indicate a desire to be listed?
Expressing an interest to be listed as an expert is relatively easy. Interested experts are also encouraged to email biographical information and preferred issue area expertise, described below:
- Bio - Using the biographical pages of existing experts, send a picture and bio that generally matches that format - name, title (and web site), twitter account, email, phone, then a 2-4 paragraph biography, plus a Recent and Featured listing of media citations and publications (as appropriate). If there are current Forum-listed experts who you work with that might be able to speak about your expertise, please also let us know who that might be.
- Issue expertise - Expertise is listed under each expert's name on the main Expert landing page as well as within Issue area pages. Review the current Issues list and indicate where you best fit. If you feel another issue area needs to be created, please feel free to make that suggestion.
Is there a fee or other cost for being listed?
There is no cost for being listed. (In the past, listed experts were encouraged to make a financial contribution to support the Forum's work that was comfortably within their means. Suggested donation amounts were $50 per year for professionals earning less than $50,000 annually, and $100 per year for those earning more. At this moment the Forum does not have a mechanism for receiving individual contributions, but may again at some point in the future.)
More questions?
Please contact:
Forum on the Arms Trade
[email protected]
(202) 780-6215