Integrated, Coordinated, Open, and Networked (ICON) Scientific and Societal Relevance

Abstract

Although society depends on scientific innovations and technological advancements to meet the growing needs of resilient infrastructures, food and water security, efficient and effective healthcare systems, environmental health, and sustainability, a sizable gap exists between scientists and citizens in communicating science-related issues, including the place of science in culture and society (Pew Research Center, 2015). The Integrated, Coordinated, Open, and Networked (ICON) principles can promote cross-disciplinary initiatives for an impactful use of resources and knowledge, and ultimately help address some of the underlying reasons for this gap. The ICON principles refer to the Integration of physical, chemical, biological, or social attributes across scales; Coordination of transferable and consistent protocols and methods; being Open with findable, accessible, interoperable, andreusable (FAIR) principles throughout the research lifecycle; and being Networked across a broad range of stakeholders to ensure mutual benefit (Goldman et al., 2022). A crowdsourced project-Worldwide Hydrobiogeochemistry Observation Network for Dynamic River Systems, is one example that uses an ICON approach to generate data and leverage global capabilities for science advancement (Borton et al., 2022;Stegen & Goldman, 2018). To meet the challenges of this century, such as educational, health, and agricultural equity as well as climate change and sustainability, we need science that intentionally targets transferable outcomes and societal engagement for mutual benefit. We present three broad areas-Citizen Science, Collaboration across Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, and Education Policy that embody ICON principles and examine the challenges and untapped opportunities in these broad areas to address the complex challenges of this century (see Table 1). We further present a framework and interactions across these broad areas with underlying ICON principles and discuss how we foster science communication and improve connections between science and society that create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all in our society (see Figure 1). These three topics were chosen because they offer universal lessons and are widely accessible places for further growth and ultimately contribute to the advancement of the American Geophysical Union Science and Society section.