Proposal: Change the name to International Pest Risk Research Group (pronounced i-perg). It reflects what we do when we meet – we discuss research topics.
The case against the status quo:
- International Pest Risk Mapping Workgroup, or IPRMW, is clunky and kind of a mouthful; it takes six syllables to pronounce.
- Calling ourselves pest risk mappers is misleading. Â We have a broad set of interests.
The case for the “International Pest Risk Research Group”:
- It is shorter and snappier and can be said in two syllables (pronounced i-Perg)
- It reflects what we do when we gather together – we discuss and progress research advances in pest risk modelling, mapping, communication, economics etc. Even a casual scan of our publications and presentations indicates that our primary modus operandi is to develop and popularise analytical methods to assist in managing pest risks.
The Workgroup term in the existing name reflects something we hold dear about our meetings, the fact that we try to achieve advances during the meetings.  Removing it from the group name doesn’t mean that it is lost.  If this is something our stakeholders value, then we can address this through our communications and our actions.  It is exactly the same as building and defining a brand.
Changing the name won’t mean losing a connexion with the past group products.  We can build and maintain linkages using the group website.