Goals, challenges, and next steps in transdisciplinary fisheries research: perspectives and experiences from early-career researchers

Abstract

Fisheries are highly complex social-ecological systems that often face ‘wicked’ problems from unsustainable resource management to climate change. Addressing these challenges requires transdisciplinary approaches that integrate perspectives across scientific disciplines and knowledge systems. Despite widespread calls for transdisciplinary fisheries research (TFR), there are still limitations in personal and institutional capacity to conduct and support this work to the highest potential. The viewpoints of early career researchers (ECRs) in this field can illuminate challenges and promote systemic change within fisheries research. This paper presents the perspectives of ECRs from across the globe, gathered through a virtual workshop held during the 2021 World Fisheries Congress, on goals, challenges, and future potential for TFR. Big picture goals for TFR were guided by principles of co-production and included (i) integrating transdisciplinary thinking at all stages of the research process, (ii) ensuring that research is inclusive and equitable, (iii) co-creating knowledge that is credible, relevant, actionable, and impactful, and (iv) consistently communicating with partners. Institutional inertia, lack of recognition of the extra time and labour required for TFR, and lack of skill development opportunities were identified as three key barriers in conducting TFR. Several critical actions were identified to help ECRs, established researchers, and institutions reach these goals. We encourage ECRs to form peer-mentorship networks to guide each other along the way. We suggest that established researchers ensure consistent mentorship while also giving space to ECR voices. Actions for institutions include retooling education programs, developing and implementing new metrics of impact, and critically examining individualism and privilege in academia. We suggest that the opportunities and actions identified here, if widely embraced now, can enable research that addresses complex challenges facing fishery systems contributing to a healthier future for fish and humans alike.

Climate change adaptation and adaptive efficacy in the inland fisheries of the Lake Victoria basin

“…Community support for ecological conservation is key for building successful conservation programs (Bennett & Dearden, 2014). Such projects, thus, require transdisciplinary approaches that involve communication and collaboration across disciplinary and sectoral boundaries involving sustained and regular engagement of community members, decision makers, scientists, government and communities alike (Nyboer et al, 2022).…”

Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research—reflections of early career researchers

“…With this in mind, there was a common argument among the ECRs that current funding opportunities tend not to incentivize and support transdisciplinary research and supervision (Jahn et al, 2012: 1, Nyboer et al, 2022. At present, many funding mechanisms lack the flexibility required to successfully respond to the demands of transdisciplinary research (Nyboer et al, 2022). Partnerships with non-academic collaborators are routinely deemed ineligible for funding (Jaeger-Erben et al, 2018: 384), while distribution of funds to third sector parties is restricted or prohibited.…”

“…Without necessarily anchoring this transdisciplinarity in any one specific discipline (Guimarães et al, 2019: 13). In both scenarios, transdisciplinary training to develop cognitive facilitation and communication skills in the early stages of a research career is viewed as essential for developing the necessary skills to approach the increasingly complex societal challenges we face (Hollaender et al, 2008;Wilson et al, 2021;Nyboer et al, 2022), and this is something that could be further prioritized by research institutions, funding institutions, and the UN Ocean Decade. Future work should also engage in discussions on whether all researchers are prepared or equipped to undertake transdisciplinarity in their work.…”

Building leaders for the UN Ocean Science Decade: a guide to supporting early career women researchers within academic marine research institutions

“…This environment emphasises competition and orientates towards activities that yield individuallevel benefits (i.e. individualism; Nyboer et al, 2022). In this environment, women ECRs have to be self-motivated, enterprising, highly-productive, competitive, and always-available (Reynolds et al, 2018;Bosanquet et al, 2020).…”

“…I don't think that's good for anyone, particularly I feel like it probably does harm to more females" (ID5). Hence, it will be important for stakeholders to promote and support a collaborative environment that encourages transdisciplinary research, active sharing, and co-development, rather than unhealthy competitive environments, which rely purely on citations and biased publishing mechanisms (Nyboer et al, 2022). For example, previous researchers have suggested the use of open and transparent online platforms, which can help marine scientists, such as women ECRs, to share their experiences and best practices on specific topics (Van Stavel et al, 2021).…”