A Decade of Incorporating Social Sciences in the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research Project (IMBeR): Much Done, Much to Do?

Abstract

Successful management and mitigation of marine challenges depends on cooperation and knowledge sharing which often occurs across culturally diverse geographic regions. Global ocean science collaboration is therefore essential for developing global solutions. Building effective global research networks that can enable collaboration also need to ensure inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches to tackle complex marine socio-ecological challenges. To understand the contribution of interdisciplinary global research networks to solving these complex challenges, we use the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) project as a case study. We investigated the diversity and characteristics of 1,827 scientists from 11 global regions who were attendees at different IMBeR global science engagement opportunities since 2009. We also determined the role of social science engagement in natural science based regional programmes (using key informants) and identified the potential for enhanced collaboration in the future. Event attendees were predominantly from western Europe, North America, and East Asia. But overall, in the global network, there was growing participation by females, students and early career researchers, and social scientists, thus assisting in moving toward interdisciplinarity in IMBeR research. The mainly natural science oriented regional programmes showed mixed success in engaging and collaborating with social scientists. This was mostly attributed to the largely natural science (i.e., biological, physical) goals and agendas of the programmes, and the lack of institutional support and push to initiate connections with social science. Recognising that social science research may not be relevant to all the aims and activities of all regional programmes, all researchers however, recognised the (potential) benefits of interdisciplinarity, which included broadening scientists’ understanding and perspectives, developing connections and interlinkages, and making science more useful. Pathways to achieve progress in regional programmes fell into four groups: specific funding, events to come together, within-programme-reflections, and social science champions. Future research programmes should have a strategic plan to be truly interdisciplinary, engaging natural and social sciences, as well as aiding early career professionals to actively engage in such programmes.

Development and expansion in the marine social sciences: Insights from the global community

“…Fundamentally, it must be recognized that the challenges facing the ocean will not be solved by stakeholders one research discipline. Although there are inherent strengths of inter- and indeed, transdisciplinarity, there are also challenges within the types of capacity building and potential “blurring” of disciplinary boundaries suggested here (see Moon et al., 2019 ; Moon et al., 2021 ; van Putten et al., 2021 ). The provision of adequate funding and resources that can support the time and effort needed to foster networking and the development of collaborative relationships outside of traditional disciplinary siloes must therefore be a central component of any future funding frameworks ( Cvitanovic et al., 2021a ).…”

“…While there are signs of improved recognition of the integral role of marine social sciences within decision-making and development of sustainable ocean governance across a multiplicity of scales and contexts (e.g. through the UN Ocean Decade), there is more to be done ( van Putten et al., 2021 ).…”

“…Fourth, there is a clear need for integrated funding for inter- and transdisciplinary research that brings together researchers and practitioners from across the broadest definition of ocean science and research (e.g., see van Putten et al., 2021 ; McKinley et al., 2020 ). In exploring the disciplinary backgrounds of our survey respondents, this study indicates a trend where a growing number of researchers are moving across disciplinary boundaries (i.e.…”

“…It champions the inclusion of diverse world views and approaches. Furthermore, it can be a pathway to ensure meaningful engagement and contributions from all relevant, particularly those who have been historically alienated from or disengaged with ocean science and policy, thus ensuring social equity across all aspects of ocean science and decision-making ( Bennett et al., 2021 ; van Putten et al., 2021 ). Fundamentally, it must be recognized that the challenges facing the ocean will not be solved by stakeholders one research discipline.…”

“…While the continually developing interest in marine social sciences is both encouraging and necessary, the rate of expansion is perhaps outpacing the capacity to build a truly cohesive and collaborative community, resulting in a research landscape which is disparate and fragmented (see for example, Jefferson et al., 2021 ). Moreover, despite the evidence of growth, natural and physical sciences continue to dominate the global marine science and policy discourse ( van Putten et al., 2021 ). There is a need, therefore, to understand the current marine social sciences research landscape (and its context in relation to the broader marine science landscape) and carry out something of a stock take so that priorities for the future can be identified (i.e.…”