A Best Practices Case Study for Scientific Collaboration between Researchers and Managers

Tammy J Newcomb; Paul W Simonin; Felix A Martinez; W Lindsay Chadderton; Jon M Bossenbroek; Becky Cudmore; Michael H Hoff; Reuben P Keller; Berkley D Ridenhour; John D Rothlisberger; Edward S Rutherford; Scott Van Egeren; David M Lodge

doi:10.1002/fsh.10536

A Best Practices Case Study for Scientific Collaboration between Researchers and Managers

Fisheries (Bethesda). 2021 Mar;46(3):131-138. doi: 10.1002/fsh.10536. Epub 2020 Dec 19.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lansing MI.
² Cornell University Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Ithaca NY.
³ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Ann Arbor MI.
⁴ The Nature Conservancy, Great Lakes Project South Bend IN.
⁵ Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center University of Toledo Toledo OH.
⁶ Fisheries and Oceans Canada Burlington ON Canada.
⁷ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (retired), Fish and Aquatic Conservation Bloomington MN.
⁸ Loyola University Chicago Institute of Environmental Sustainability Chicago IL.
⁹ The Nature Conservancy Moscow ID.
¹⁰ USDA Forest Service Washington D.C.
¹¹ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory Ann Arbor MI.
¹² Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Rhinelander WI.
¹³ Cornell University Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability Ithaca NY.
¹⁴ University of Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative South Bend IN (former).

Abstract

Effective engagement among scientists, government agency staff, and policymakers is necessary for solving fisheries challenges, but remains challenging for a variety of reasons. We present seven practices learned from a collaborative project focused on invasive species in the Great Lakes region (USA-CAN). These practices were based on a researcher-manager model composed of a research team, a management advisory board, and a bridging organization. We suggest this type of system functions well when (1) the management advisory board is provided compelling rationale for engagement; (2) the process uses key individuals as communicators; (3) the research team thoughtfully selects organizations and individuals involved; (4) the funding entity provides logistical support and allows for (5) a flexible structure that prioritizes management needs; (6) a bridging organization sustains communication between in-person meetings; and (7) the project team determines and enacts a project endpoint. We predict these approaches apply equally effectively to other challenges at the research-management-policy interface, including reductions of water pollution, transitions to renewable energy, increasing food security, and addressing climate change.