Boundary spanning at the science-policy interface can enhance the scientific basis of policy decisions in the Arctic
Abstract
The rapid changes taking place in the Arctic will require policy responses well informed by science. However, the development of such robust science-based policy will require capacity and intentional structures to facilitate strong and iterative collaboration between Arctic scientists and decision makers to help ensure that research adequately anticipates policy and management needs. Such "boundary spanning" can increase the efficiency by which useful research is produced, foster the capacity to absorb new evidence and perspectives into decision-making, enhance the relevance of research, and open new policy windows. This presentation will share some first-hand, practitioner's perspectives on boundary spanning drawn from experiences at COMPASS, a boundary organization working to support individual scientists engaging effectively in the public discourse on the environment, and from the National Council on Science and the Environment, helping improve the scientific basis of environmental decision making at the scale of institutions. I will also share some overarching perspectives on boundary spanning, drawn from collaborative work of a group of boundary-spanning practitioners, representing more than 130 years of cumulative practical experience operating at the interface of science and decision-making in 11 countries. The Pew Charitable Trusts convened this group last year and published a paper based on the outcomes of the workshop in Sustainability Science, see Bednarek, et. al., Sustainability Science (2018) 13:1175-1183. Lessons learned from this collective work boundary-spanning practitioners can be applied toward building a foundation for effective engagement of Arctic scientists and decision makers.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFM.C33E1614G
- Keywords:
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- 0799 General or miscellaneous;
- CRYOSPHEREDE: 6615 Legislation and regulations;
- PUBLIC ISSUESDE: 6699 General or miscellaneous;
- PUBLIC ISSUES