The National Research Council (NRC) will convene a Roundtable on Unconventional Hydrocarbon Development that will provide a platform to examine issues of national and regional importance related to the development of unconventional hydrocarbon resources in support of three primary objectives:

(1) Data and Research by critically examining the existence, availability, and adequacy of existing baseline data and research and of data and research gaps and needs, including data collection, management, and accessibility. Data types may include the scientific, engineering, human and environmental health and safety, regulatory, economic, and societal aspects of unconventional hydrocarbon development.
(2) Communication, Outreach, and Awareness by informing participants about education and outreach opportunities and ongoing research through public meetings and workshops.
(3) Partnerships, Collaborations, and Self-Implementing Activities by incubating potential public-private partnerships, collaborations, and activities to address research issues, to share scientific information and data, and to develop best practices.

The Roundtable will focus its activities in four areas:

(a) Natural environment-- Earth, water, air, ecosystems, geography, climate
(b) Human environment-- human health and safety, workforce, public perception and acceptance, community structure
(c) Constructed environment-- Technology, engineering, and infrastructure
(d) Interfaces and innovation among the natural, human, and constructed environments

All activities of the Roundtable will be conducted in accordance with institutional guidelines described in “Roundtables: Policy and Procedures.”