The Synthesis Panel has been established to provide direction to the Coral Reef Targeted Research Project and that the outputs are being fully integrated to achieve the Project objectives. In addition to overseeing the quality of the research, the Synthesis Panel synthesises the results across the Working Groups and Centres of Excellence to interpret the findings and make policy recommendations where appropriate.

Responsibilities include:

• Act as the technical advisory body to provide technical oversight and guidance for the CRTR Project.
• Review and evaluate submissions from the chairs of the Scientific Working Groups and the Centres of Excellence. This includes:
  • Reviewing and making recommendations on project plans.
  • Reviewing six-monthly progress reports and annual reports submitted by the Scientific Working Groups and Centres of Excellence, particularly in regard to monitoring project progress and effectiveness against the stated workplan objectives and outcomes/outputs.
  • Providing recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding the funding of sub-grants.

• Assist in the integration, synthesis and linking of scientific results generated by the Scientific Working Groups to management, and oversee the development and dissemination of a series of management and policy briefs, in close collaboration with the PEA Project Office and the Synthesis Panel Executive Secretary.
• Review progress by Working Groups and Centres of Excellence including reviewing progress against workplans and budgets.
• Approve procedures and policies for effective operation of the project through the Project Executing Agency.
• Work with the Working Groups and Centres of Excellence to analyse the external environment, identify new opportunities and strategically plan for the long-term research activities of the project. Keep abreast of national and international priorities and developments in research, commercialisation and innovation as relates to the project.
• Assist in the development and analysis of performance indicators and benchmarking of the project against national and international institutions as required.
• Assist in the preparation of business plans and annual reports for the project development and initiatives.
• Supervise and assist in the implementation of a communication and marketing plan and a capacity building strategy to meet the goals of disseminating project outcomes to managers, decision makers and stakeholders.
• Serve as a formal interlocutor with other disciplines, such as development economics and law, to enhance the relevance and uptake of the project results by policymakers.