SETAC Science Digest 2021

Member expectations for SETAC have changed in light of support for open science; sustainability; and social responsibility including diversity, equity and inclusion; especially considering technology advances. The seemingly unending COVID pandemic continued to be major driving force for tremendous change at SETAC in 2021. For example, meetings, which are key to the society’s financial sustainability, pivoted once again to virtual. These circumstances are propelling SETAC to transform quickly. Now more than ever, it is critical for SETAC to adapt to meet these expectations, go forward and prosper. Here are some highlights from 2021 showing how SETAC rose to the occasion.

First Global Certification Program Established

A 2021 milestone, representatives from SETAC signed the incorporation documents for an independent global environmental risk assessor certification program, which will be led by the International Board of Environmental Risk Assessors (IBERA) under the leadership of Karel De Schamphelaere, Ghent University.

SETAC Café and Journals Club

In addition, SETAC continued online programs such as the SETAC Café and added the Journals Club, which provided members opportunities to explore ancillary topics.

SETAC Launched New Mentorship Program

To promote career development and help members in building professional relationships and developing new skills, SETAC launched a new mentorship program. Developed by members for members, the self-guided program is open to all and draws on the knowledge, expertise and networks of the diverse membership. SETAC is providing step-by-step instructions on how to sign up as well as a comprehensive handbook to guide the relationship on the SETAC website.

Adapting the One SETAC Principle

SETAC identified six top priorities to prepare the society for a sustainable future and enhance valued services to our members, under the One SETAC principle: Connecting all members across the world while respecting the diversity and recognizing different needs.

• Enhance the membership model by including more flexibility in membership options
• Support regionally specific priorities and increase career development offerings by reviewing the member services portfolio
• Increase opportunities for virtual engagement by implementing a user-friendly community platform
• Facilitate mission focus and decision-making by making SETAC governance more agile
• Make full use of available expertise by empowering the professional staff
• Support our programs by increasing corporate and institutional revenues

SETAC Meetings

SETAC quickly adapted to the pandemic by developing engaging virtual meetings.

Multidisciplinary Meetings

Topical Initiatives

Breaking Down Barriers in Collaboration

The SETAC World Council debated the organizational structure that has been in place for decades and provided new global opportunities for group collaborations.

Noteworthy Year for Women in SETAC

Boards, councils and committees have been striving for balanced representation, and deliberate efforts have resulted in a special achievement for women in SETAC: For the first time, all six presidents who were elected to lead the society were women. Congratulations to our fearless leaders!

• Helena Christina Silva de Assis, SETAC President
• Beatrice Opeolu, SETAC Africa Presiden
• Amanda Reichelt-Brushett, SETAC Asia-Pacific President
• Michelle Bloor, SETAC Europe President
• Ana Cione, SETAC Latin America President
• Lisa Ortego, SETAC North America President

SETAC North America Welcomed Tamar Schlekat as Executive Director

The SETAC North America Board of Directors appointed Tamar Schlekat SETAC North America Executive Director. Schlekat assumed the role on 1 July, succeeding Greg Schiefer, who retired.

SETAC Publications

It was another productive year for our two society journals, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. We reviewed our journal policies and made changes to correcting the record for name changes, and provided additional guidance for creating figures and tables that are accessible to colorblind readers. Here is what else we were working on in publications in 2021:

SETAC Journals in the News

Press Releases

• A critical review of organic UV filter exposure, hazard, and risk to corals
• Long-term immunological alterations in bottlenose dolphin a decade after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico, potential for multigenerational effects
• Patterns and trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in bald eagle nestlings in Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA
• PFAS Special Series
• Impacts to larval fathead minnows vary between pre-consumer and environmental microplastics
• High levels of legacy and emerging contaminants in killer whales (Orcinus orca) from Norway, 2015-2017
• Changes in sewage sludge chemical signatures during a COVID-19 community lockdown part 1: Traffic, drugs, mental health, and disinfectants

SETAC Science Outlets

• Check out the SETAC Globe and IEAM Podcasts.
• Visit the SETAC Science Corner.
• Read the SETAC Science Brief, Lead Toxicity in Wildlife.

SETAC Honors

We congratulate all who proved excellence in the field, showed academic rigor at meetings, and reflected SETAC’s mission and values.