Engaging at the science-policy interface as an early-career researcher: experiences and perceptions in biodiversity and ecosystem services research

Anna Filyushkina*, Hyeonju Ryu, Andrew N. Kadykalo, Ranjini Murali, C. Sylvie Campagne, Carla Leanne Washbourne, Sophie Peter, Nada Saidi, Thuan Sarzynski, Paola Fontanella Pisa, Giovanni Ávila-Flores, Taha Amiar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Effective knowledge exchange at science-policy interfaces (SPIs) can foster evidence-informed policy-making through the integration of a wide range of knowledge inputs. This is especially crucial for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services (ES), human well-being and sustainable development. Early-career researchers (ECRs) can contribute significantly to knowledge exchange at SPIs. Recognizing that, several capacity building programs focused on sustainability have been introduced recently. However, little is known about the experiences and perceptions of ECRs in relation to SPIs. Our study focused on SPI engagement of ECRs who conduct research on biodiversity and ES, as perceived and experienced. Specifically, we addressed ‘motivations’, ‘barriers’ and ‘opportunities and ‘benefits’. A total of 145 ECRs have completed the survey. Our results showed that ECRs were generally interested to engage in SPIs and believed it to be beneficial in terms of contributing to societal change, understanding policy processes and career development. Respondents perceived lack of understanding about involvement channels, engagement opportunities, funding, training, perceived credibility of ECRs by other actors and encouragement of senior colleagues as barriers to engaging in SPIs. Those who have already participated in SPIs generally saw fewer barriers and more opportunities. A key reason for dissatisfaction with experience in SPIs was a lack of impact and uptake of science-policy outputs by policymakers–an issue that likely extends beyond ECRs and implies the need for transformations in knowledge exchange within SPIs. In conclusion, based on insights from our survey, we outline several opportunities for increased and better facilitation of ECR engagement in SPIs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)397-409
Number of pages13
JournalEcosystems and People
Volume18
Issue number1
Early online date21 Jun 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The work was supported by the Snow Leopard Trust [N/A]. The authors would like to thank survey participants for their time and input. We also appreciate all efforts in helping us distribute the survey, especially by the leadership of YESS, IPBES fellows, ESP networks (especially Iskra Konovska). This paper benefited from the insightful comments of two anonymous reviewers and from discussions around the paper topic as part of the IPBES-8 stakeholder days, for which we extend our thanks to IPBES, ONet and all participants. The authors would like to thank the Snow Leopard Trust, UNDP and GEF for providing funding that partially covered costs of authors attending the 7th IPBES Plenary in 2019, where this research has been developed.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Funding

The work was supported by the Snow Leopard Trust [N/A]. The authors would like to thank survey participants for their time and input. We also appreciate all efforts in helping us distribute the survey, especially by the leadership of YESS, IPBES fellows, ESP networks (especially Iskra Konovska). This paper benefited from the insightful comments of two anonymous reviewers and from discussions around the paper topic as part of the IPBES-8 stakeholder days, for which we extend our thanks to IPBES, ONet and all participants. The authors would like to thank the Snow Leopard Trust, UNDP and GEF for providing funding that partially covered costs of authors attending the 7th IPBES Plenary in 2019, where this research has been developed.

Keywords

  • Barriers
  • boundary organizations
  • IPBES
  • opportunities
  • outcomes
  • Sander Jacobs
  • young scholars

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