Graduate students in conservation biology: Bridging the research–implementation gap

Courter, Jason R.

doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2011.10.001

Cited by 14 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…A new generation of practitioners with scientific literacy skills and possibly a deeper appreciation for the use of scientific research in management may resolve this research utilization gap, as a result of the recent emphasis on graduate education and training for conservation Conservation Biology Volume 29, No. 1, 2015 professionals (Duchelle et al 2009;Courter 2012). Multifaceted training courses in the medical field on evidencebased practices increase the use of scientific information in practice and improve treatment outcomes (Straus et al 2005); thus, professional development and continued education for practitioners may be one way to reduce stagnant information flow in conservation (Shanley & Lopez 2009;Cook et al 2013).…”

Section: Influence Of Evidence On Practitionersmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of scientific evidence on conservation practitioners’ management decisions

Walsh

Dicks

Sutherland

2014

Conservation Biology

206

166

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A major justification of environmental management research is that it helps practitioners, yet previous studies show it is rarely used to inform their decisions. We tested whether conservation practitioners focusing on bird management were willing to use a synopsis of relevant scientific literature to inform their management decisions. This allowed us to examine whether the limited use of scientific information in management is due to a lack of access to the scientific literature or whether it is because practitioners are either not interested or unable to incorporate the research into their decisions. In on-line surveys, we asked 92 conservation managers, predominantly from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, to provide opinions on 28 management techniques that could be applied to reduce predation on birds. We asked their opinions before and after giving them a summary of the literature about the interventions’ effectiveness. We scored the overall effectiveness and certainty of evidence for each intervention through an expert elicitation process—the Delphi method. We used the effectiveness scores to assess the practitioners’ level of understanding and awareness of the literature. On average, each survey participant changed their likelihood of using 45.7% of the interventions after reading the synopsis of the evidence. They were more likely to implement effective interventions and avoid ineffective actions, suggesting that their intended future management strategies may be more successful than current practice. More experienced practitioners were less likely to change their management practices than those with less experience, even though they were not more aware of the existing scientific information than less experienced practitioners. The practitioners’ willingness to change their management choices when provided with summarized scientific evidence suggests that improved accessibility to scientific information would benefit conservation management outcomes.El Efecto de la Evidencia Científica sobre las Decisiones de Manejo de Quienes Practican la ConservaciónResumenUna justificación mayor de la investigación en el manejo ambiental es que ayuda a quienes lo practican, aunque estudios previos muestran que rara vez se usa para informar sus decisiones. Probamos si quienes practican la conservación enfocada en el manejo de aves estaban dispuestos a usar una sinopsis de literatura científica relevante para informar sus decisiones de manejo. Esto permitió que examináramos si el uso limitado de información científica en el manejo se debe a una falta de acceso a la literatura científica o si se debe a que quienes practican la conservación no están interesados o no son capaces de incorporar la investigación a sus decisiones. En encuestas en línea les preguntamos a 92 practicantes de la conservación, la mayoría de Australia, Nueva Zelanda y el Reino Unido, que nos proporcionaran opiniones sobre 28 técnicas de manejo que podrían aplicarse para reducir la depredación de aves. Les pedimos sus opiniones antes y d...

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Section: Influence Of Evidence On Practitionersmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of scientific evidence on conservation practitioners’ management decisions

Walsh

Dicks

Sutherland

2014

Conservation Biology

206

166

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“…In other parts of the world, successful environmental outcomes have been suggested from integrative work whereby researchers have either been embedded in environmental organisations or have partnered with managerial agencies and other stakeholders to address specific needs (Arlettaz et al 2010;Cook et al 2013). In this sense, making better, more tailored use of the research potential of postgraduate students and early career researchers from hundreds of colleges and universities is advocated as a straightforward win-win solution in conservation science (Courter 2012). An example of such collaboration is the Research Partners Program in Victoria's protected areas, Australia (Parks Victoria 2018).…”

Section: Barriers To the Use Of Environmental Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging the research-management gap in environmental conservation: A case study from Andalusia, southern Spain

Rodríguez‐Rodríguez¹,

Abdul-Malak²,

Schröder³

et al. 2019

SDRP-JESES

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Science is believed to provide the most objective basis for effective decision-making, though it is rarely implemented in environmental management. Here we reflect on the results of a regional workshop aimed at exploring the knowledge and use of scientific evidence by environmental managers in an ecologically diverse region in southern Spain: Andalusia. Scientists were moderately aware of regional managerial needs. They stated that regional managers' needs could be mostly addressed by their research centers, and that they often considered managerial needs when conducting research. In turn, environmental managers had limited knowledge of, and interest in, the environmental research carried out in the region. However, managers stated they frequently use scientific outputs in their jobs. The main perceived barriers to effective use of science in regional environmental management by both groups were: different priorities by each group, and limited time of managers to check scientific information. Scientists also perceived that managers were not sufficiently engaged in research and that they were often reluctant to change their usual managerial practices. Managers mentioned inadequate scientific dissemination formats. The perceived solutions to those issues were: reinforcing collaboration mechanisms between both groups; aligning research to managerial needs more closely; greater managers' awareness of adaptive management; and developing user friendly, synthetic communication tools for managers. The insights from the workshop are intended to help scientists and managers to enhance effective use of environmental science in Spain and elsewhere.

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“…However, study programs generally focus on academic theory and research techniques. Students are often not taught skills they can use to apply theoretical knowledge, whether they remain in academia or move into the nonprofit or government sector (Duchelle et al ; Courter ). However, if students are not gaining the expertise they need for future employment from their educational institution, they have opportunities to exercise self‐agency and create their own resources.…”

Section: Creating Resources Within Institutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is imperative for students to document their efforts, lessons learned, and successes. There are 2 main audiences for this documentation: future project participants and stakeholder groups interested in the students’ work, for whom the documentation can serve as an important communication tool (Duchelle et al ; Courter ). For example, a student at Duke University spearheaded the development of a graduate student handbook for her department.…”

Section: Institutionalizing Resources In Academic Programsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Narrowing research scope due to limited funds can be a particular problem for master's students because programs are shorter and less funding is available. However, students have a unique set of opportunities at their disposal to address research‐application problems (Duchelle et al ; Courter ). Students may be able to capitalize on opportunities within their institutions and take courses, such as program evaluation and science communication, that strengthen their interdisciplinary knowledge (Peréz ; Muir & Schwartz ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Practical Recommendations to Help Students Bridge the Research–Implementation Gap and Promote Conservation

Pietri

Gurney

Benitez-Vina

et al. 2013

Conservation Biology

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Seasoned conservation researchers often struggle to bridge the research-implementation gap and promote the translation of their work into meaningful conservation actions. Graduate students face the same problems and must contend with obstacles such as limited opportunities for relevant interdisciplinary training and a lack of institutional support for application of research results. However, students also have a crucial set of opportunities (e.g., access to academic resources outside their degree programs and opportunities to design research projects promoting collaboration with stakeholders) at their disposal to address these problems. On the basis of results of breakout discussions at a symposium on the human dimensions of the ocean, a review of the literature, and our own experiences, we devised recommendations on how graduate students can create resources within their academic institutions, institutionalize resources, and engage with stakeholders to promote real-world conservation outcomes. Within their academic institutions, graduate students should foster links to practitioners and promote knowledge and skill sharing among students. To institutionalize resources, students should cultivate student leaders and faculty sponsors, systematically document their program activities, and engage in strategic planning to promote the sustainability of their efforts. While conducting research, students should create connections to and engage actively with stakeholders in their relevant study areas and disseminate research results both to stakeholders and the broader public. Our recommendations can serve as a template for graduate students wishing to bridge the research-implementation gap, both during their current studies and in their future careers as conservation researchers and practitioners.

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Graduate students in conservation biology: Bridging the research–implementation gap

Cited by 14 publications

References 22 publications

The effect of scientific evidence on conservation practitioners’ management decisions

The effect of scientific evidence on conservation practitioners’ management decisions

Bridging the research-management gap in environmental conservation: A case study from Andalusia, southern Spain

Practical Recommendations to Help Students Bridge the Research–Implementation Gap and Promote Conservation

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