Our Volunteers

Each year, approximately 6,000 top experts in their fields—including but not limited to members of our three Academies—volunteer their time and extensive knowledge to conduct our studies, workshops, symposia, and other activities. 

Contributing to the National Academies’ Impact and Mission

Volunteers can contribute to the work of the National Academies in a variety of different ways to include serving on one of our consensus study committees, serving as a member of a board or standing committee, participating in workshops or symposia, or participating in our rigorous peer review process.

  • Consensus Study Committees
    During a consensus study, members join other volunteer experts to examine the evidence on a particular topic or question and develop a report with findings and recommendations. Studies can last from several months to two years. Learn more about the consensus study process.
  • Boards or Standing Committee
    By serving on one of the National Academies’ many boards or standing committees, members and volunteers help guide the direction of the National Academies’ work. Boards and standing committees identify emerging topics for possible future studies and workshops, and also provide important oversight for consensus studies and convening activities in particular areas.
  • Workshops or Symposia
    Members and volunteers can serve on an organizing committee that helps define the questions and topics that will be explored at a workshop or symposia event, giving coherence and depth to an event’s agenda. The committee also identifies potential speakers and panelists. Learn more about our events.
  • Independent Peer Review
    As a final check on the quality and objectivity of the study, all National Academies publications—whether products of studies, summaries of workshop proceedings, or other documents—must undergo a rigorous, independent external review. The National Academies recruit independent experts with a range of views and perspectives to review and comment on the draft report prepared by the committee. Learn more about independent peer review at the National Academies.
     

Orientation Materials

Have you been asked to serve on a committee? Or maybe you are simply interested in learning more about the responsibilities and commitments volunteers make to our activities. What follows is a suite of materials—a blend of short interviews with leaders, staff, and fellow volunteers; animations, and text-based documents—designed to walk you through the volunteer experience, answering many of the common questions volunteers have about our process.

Considering Becoming a Volunteer?

Why Volunteer? The Benefits of Volunteering

There are a variety of benefits volunteers incur through their participation on National Academies activities—many see it as great professional development! Hear from experienced volunteers and staff as they share many of the common benefits to participation.

The National Academies Organization and Structure

The work of the National Academies is grounded in the expertise of the three Academies but is conducted by the program units. This video provides a brief introduction to the organizational structure of the National Academies including the programmatic arm commonly known as the National Research Council (NRC).

You’ve Been Nominated to Serve on a Committee

You have just contacted about potentially serving on a committee and you might be asking yourself “what should I expect?” This brief video covers the 6 key commitments volunteers should make as they contribute to National Academies’ projects.

What to Expect: Your Commitments as a Volunteer

As you begin a relationship with the National Academies, we need to learn more about you. The information that we collect helps us to ensure that potential volunteers serve as an individual, free from financial conflicts of interest or unyielding bias. You will also interact with different National Academies staff throughout the process. It can be helpful to know who you may meet and the role(s) that they play.

What You Need to Know About the Committee Appointment Process

This video presents an overview of our committee appointment process. It begins by presenting how a study is generated, how we solicit nominations, and the process for approval.
Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure
 
 
This interactive page will guide you through filling out the Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure form including some of the most frequently asked questions.

Your Project Staff: Who Are They and What Do They Do?

 
There are a number of different staff at the National Academies who support the volunteer experience—some you will meet early on and others you might not interact with until later on in the project. This short video will introduce you to some of the staff and the roles they play.

Succeeding as a Committee Chair: Advice from Experienced Chairs

Congratulations! You have been nominated to serve as a chair. Hear from experienced chairs and National Academies staff as they talk about the qualities of a good chair and strategies for facilitating our processes.
 

Preparing For Your First Meeting

Contributing to Meetings as a Volunteer

Bringing volunteers together to consider the evidence on important topics is central to the work of the National Academies. Through a series of interviews, volunteers and staff emphasize the expectations for the meetings and the preparation that is required.

National Academies Staff: Supporting the Expert Volunteer Experience

The collaboration between volunteers and staff is central to many of the activities of the National Academies. Hear from National Academies staff and volunteers as they explain the role of National Academies staff throughout the committee’s work.

Traveling for National Academies Projects

Although many National Academies meetings and events can be effectively held virtually, in-person collaboration is a powerful and integral part of our work. Travel plays a key role in facilitating the many in-person meetings that help us fulfill our mission. This video provides a high-level overview of our travel process.

Although many projects will hold in-person meetings, there may still be virtual meetings. It is imperative that volunteers are familiar with many of the ways that they can make a contribution, even from a distance. Our guidance on how to Contribute Meaningfully in a Virtual Setting can be found here (pdf).

Ensuring The Quality of The Process

The committee process is central to the mission of the National Academies. Maintaining the integrity of the committee process ranges from our conflict of interest and disclosure procedures to maintaining our independence from sponsors. To help us ensure the integrity of the process, there are a few specific things that you need to know and that you can do.

The National Academies Project Process: Consensus Studies

This video provides a brief overview of the consensus study process starting with the generate of a study idea all the way through to dissemination.

Ensuring the Integrity of the Committee Process

This short video articulates the steps that committee members can take to ensure that the integrity of the committee process is not compromised. This includes discussion of FACA Section 15. 

Making A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the work of the National Academies—it is the diversity of voices and perspectives that make our work stronger! This video presents the National Academies’ position on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preventing Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying

Through a combination of animation and videos, volunteers will become acquainted with the National Academies’ position on discrimination, harassment, and bullying including our current policy and Guide to the Complaint Process. 
 

Conducting the Work

As volunteers engage in the work, especially for consensus studies, it can be helpful to understand (1) how to engage with project audiences, (2) what it means to build towards consensus, (3) the nature of our product review process, and (4) why volunteers are instrumental in disseminating and promoting our reports. 
 

How to Engage with Your Project’s Audiences

National Academies’ staff explain the value of stakeholder engagement and outline things volunteers can and cannot say during the process.

Building Towards Consensus

Consensus is a unique aspect of our work. Volunteers and staff describe what it means to come to consensus and how diverse expertise and productive disagreements can be invaluable to the process.

Product Review

This short video provides an overview of the rigorous National Academies’ product review process.

Disseminating and Promoting Your Work

Volunteers play a variety of different roles during report dissemination, all of which are important contributions to getting the messages of the work of the National Academies out!