Being relevant: Practical guidance for early career researchers interested in solving conservation problems

Chapman, Jacqueline M.; Algera, Dirk A.; Dick, Melissa; Hawkins, Emily; Lawrence, Michael; Lennox, Robert J.; Rous, Andrew M.; Souliere, Christopher M.; Stemberger, Holly L.J.; Struthers, Daniel P.; Vu, Maria; Ward, Taylor D.; Zolderdo, Aaron J.; Cooke, Steven J.

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2015.07.013

Cited by 52 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 124 publications

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“…It is worth noting that science communication is being recognized as part of a broader set of skills and activities necessary to be relevant as a scientist (see Chapman et al 2015;Peoples et al 2016). We acknowledge we are neither professionally trained in science communication nor scholars of science Box 1.…”

Section: Strive For Bidirectional Communicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considerations for effective science communication

Cooke

Gallagher

Sopinka

et al. 2017

FACETS

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It is increasingly common for scientists to engage in sharing science-related knowledge with diverse knowledge users-an activity called science communication. Given that many scientists now seek information on how to communicate effectively, we have generated a list of 16 important considerations for those interested in science communication: ( (16) Evaluate, reflect, and be prepared to adapt. It is our ambition that the ideas shared here will encourage readers to engage in science communication and increase the effectiveness of those already active in science communication, stimulating them to share their experiences with others.

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Section: Strive For Bidirectional Communicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considerations for effective science communication

Cooke

Gallagher

Sopinka

et al. 2017

FACETS

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“…Conservation researchers must adopt a broad perspective that combines basic biological sciences and its application in ecological systems with a human-centered focus on economics, politics, law, and communication which together comprise the political arena in which all conservation efforts must operate (Gibbs et al 2008). We hope that this paper serves as a foundation to motivate conservation researchers, especially those in training (see Chapman et al 2015), to address the multiple disciplinary interactions of complex conservation problems necessary to help solve complex conservation problems.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, Naiman (1999) contends that most of the obstacles actually lie within the group (i.e., lack of trust among team members) rather than within the publication and peer review system. Despite the barriers posed by the current academic structure, there is growing sentiment that multiple disciplinary researchers are slowly overcoming these obstacles in pursuit of a holistic approach to conservation science [see Chapman et al (2015) for a forward-looking viewpoint].…”

Section: Because the Current Institutional Structure Does Not Make Itmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, we provide a short perspective article that synthesizes relevant literature that argues for reasons why multiple disciplinary approaches are necessary in conservation science and practical ways to achieve multiple disciplinarity. The intended audience is broad, but our thinking was somewhat framed around the notion that it will be the next generation-today's early career researchers-that need to be prepared to engage in multiple disciplinary research and thinking to address the pressing conservation problems of today and tomorrow (Chapman et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems

Dick

Rous

Nguyen

et al. 2017

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Contemporary conservation problems are typically positioned at the interface of complex ecological and human systems. Traditional approaches aiming to compartmentalize a phenomenon within the confines of a single discipline and failing to engage non-science partners are outmoded and cannot identify solutions that have traction in the social, economic, and political arenas in which conservation actions must operate. As a result, conservation science teams must adopt multiple disciplinary approaches that bridge not only academic disciplines but also the political and social realms and engage relevant partners. Five reasons are presented that outline why conservation problems demand multiple disciplinary approaches in order to move forward because: (i) socio-ecological systems are complex, (ii) multiple perspectives are better than one, (iii) the results of research must influence practice, (iv) the heterogeneity of scale necessitates it, and (v) conservation involves compromise. Presenting reasons that support multiple disciplinarity demands a review of the barriers that impede this process, as we are far from attaining a model or framework that is applicable in all contexts. Two challenges that impede multiple disciplinarity are discussed, in addition to pragmatic solutions that conservation scientists and practitioners can adopt in their work. Overall, conservation researchers and practitioners are encouraged to explore the multiple disciplinary dimensions of their respective realms to more effectively solve problems in biodiversity and sustainability.

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“…If challenges continue in finding researchers with psychological training to undertake research projects in these often challenging environments, much greater efforts is required on training conservation biologists with these skills (Chapman et al 2015;Green et al 2015). In doing so, those of us who consider ourselves conservationists with an intrinsic desire to conserve and protect wildlife and biodiversity will be more well equipped to solving these problems that threaten the very thing we admire.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The psychology of community-based conservation programs: A case study of the Sumatran orangutan

Nilsson¹

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Globally, dramatic declines in wildlife populations continue due to anthropogenic pressures. Many of these declines are linked to unsustainable human behaviours. In developing countries, community-based conservation programs are essential for arresting these declines. However, many programs are not effective and require substantial improvements if they are to deliver sustainable conservation outcomes. The social sciences, including conservation psychology, provide an opportunity to understand the social dimension of conservation problems and improve the effectiveness of community-based conservation programs. The Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelli) is a suitable case study for this approach. The species is critically endangered due to habitat loss and degradation, the illegal wildlife trade, hunting, and human-wildlife conflict. The future of the species relies heavily upon effectively engaging with local communities to support the conservation of the orangutan and its habitat.This thesis aims to inform community-based conservation strategies that effectively incentivise and motivate local communities in the context of developing countries to adopt conservation behaviours. To achieve this, I ask: What are the socio-psychological factors and processes that determine how community-based conservation programs influence behaviour change and community support? How can this knowledge be utilised to more effectively design, implement and manage community-based conservation programs? The thesis addresses these research questions using a socio-psychological approach to investigating secondary data from developing countries and also by conducting a comparative case study of community-based conservation programs for the Sumatran orangutan. This research is the first in-depth socio-psychological investigation for Sumatran orangutan community-based conservation programs.First, I conduct a realist synthesis focused on community-based conservation programs in developing countries that measured changes in community behaviour in relation to conservation objectives. A realist synthesis identifies the critical mechanisms operating within a program, the outcome caused by this mechanism and how the context affects these mechanisms. The synthesis highlights three main mechanisms that explain the reasoning of individuals to engage in conservation behaviours: 'conservation livelihood provides economic value,' 'conservation provides benefits that outweigh losses of curtailing previous behaviour' and 'local authority over resources creates empowerment.' The success of each mechanism was affected by various contexts including: relative significance of income, capacity and cultural acceptability. The findings from the synthesis advance the understanding of the decision-making processes of communities subject to iii community-based conservation programs and highlight how different contexts alter the reasoning process.Second, utilising the comparative case studies, I investigate the effect of differing motivations on community's decisio...

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Being relevant: Practical guidance for early career researchers interested in solving conservation problems

Cited by 52 publications

References 124 publications

Considerations for effective science communication

Considerations for effective science communication

Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems

The psychology of community-based conservation programs: A case study of the Sumatran orangutan

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