Overcoming the funder’s dilemma

Lamoreux, John F.; Chatwin, Anthony; Foster, Matt; Kakoyannis, Christina; Vynne, Carly; Wolniakowski, K.U.; Gascon, Claude

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2014.04.017

Cited by 9 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In conservation defining failure is open to interpretation, can vary throughout a project's lifespan, and, as a label, can even be challenged as potentially not useful (Lamoreux et al. ).…”

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is essentially a course correction based on new data, a critical step in learning from failure and ideally an integral part of conservation project assessments during all phases (Lamoreux et al. ).…”

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this regard, the term failure can be maddeningly imprecise and may encompass multiple outcomes across various scales and project phases muddied by different perspectives on what comprises failure (Edmondson 2012). In conservation defining failure is open to interpretation, can vary throughout a project's lifespan, and, as a label, can even be challenged as potentially not useful (Lamoreux et al 2014).…”

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such pragmatic definitions result from acknowledging that failure is inevitable, the long-term outcome is ultimately of greatest importance, and the likelihood that you have enough data to make a 100% accurate assessment is inevitably zero. This is essentially a course correction based on new data, a critical step in learning from failure and ideally an integral part of conservation project assessments during all phases (Lamoreux et al 2014).…”

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Drawing on these ideas from other disciplines, a fundamental shift in the way failure is addressed in conservation is required, beginning with an acceptance of the inevitable nature of failure. This perspective is necessary to reduce the stigma of failure and to allow effective preimplementation risk assessment (Lamoreux et al 2014) and postimplementation reflection and learning to occur, but is typically absent in discussion of conservation projects (Nie & Schultz 2012). This discomfort with failure is also evidenced by a strong aversion to uncertainty (Williams & Brown 2014) and the widespread tendency to reframe poor project outcomes in a more positive light when reporting to funding bodies or other stakeholders (if reported at all) (Allan & Curtis 2005;Webber et al 2007).…”

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Black swans, cognition, and the power of learning from failure

Catalano

Redford

Margoluis

et al. 2018

Conservation Biology

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Failure carries undeniable stigma and is difficult to confront for individuals, teams, and organizations. Disciplines such as commercial and military aviation, medicine, and business have long histories of grappling with it, beginning with the recognition that failure is inevitable in every human endeavor. Although conservation may arguably be more complex, conservation professionals can draw on the research and experience of these other disciplines to institutionalize activities and attitudes that foster learning from failure, whether they are minor setbacks or major disasters. Understanding the role of individual cognitive biases, team psychological safety, and organizational willingness to support critical self-examination all contribute to creating a cultural shift in conservation to one that is open to the learning opportunity that failure provides. This new approach to managing failure is a necessary next step in the evolution of conservation effectiveness.

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“…In conservation defining failure is open to interpretation, can vary throughout a project's lifespan, and, as a label, can even be challenged as potentially not useful (Lamoreux et al. ).…”

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Definitions Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Black swans, cognition, and the power of learning from failure

Catalano

Redford

Margoluis

et al. 2018

Conservation Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Using the Open Standards-Based Framework for Planning and Implementing Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Projects in the High Mountainous Regions of Central Asia

Schumacher¹,

Garstecki

Mislimshoeva³

et al. 2018

Climate Change Management

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Failure is the Greatest Teacher: Embracing the Positives of Failure in Primate Conservation

Webber

Cotton²,

McCabe³

2022

Int J Primatol

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Abstract“Failure” is recognised as being vital for success in many fields but is seldom embraced in primate conservation or conservation more generally. In this paper, we use examples from the literature, particularly around reintroduction, to reflect on failure and consider the contribution it can make to primate conservation success. Barriers to acknowledging failure are highlighted and include concerns regarding reputational damage that impact on communication with funders, publishing, and discussing our projects more widely. We also discuss the need for a broader and adaptive approach to include multiple steps of experimentation, reflection, and subsequent learning. This process, which necessarily includes failures and the results of unintended consequences, will require primatologists to use a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and reflective approach to effectively address factors that contribute to failure, including those external to the traditional focus of primatologists. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for progressing in this area, including (i) Funding—funders to incorporate greater flexibility in response to project change and to specifically ask grantees to consider risk, failure, and lessons learnt, and funders and grantees to improve dialogue; (ii) Publishing—journals to have a section that considers failure and lessons learnt and, along with societies, to further engage with researchers from the Global South about the best ways to support with publishing; and (iii) Communication—primate conservationists to lead by example and reflect/discuss failure openly and to create spaces that encourage sharing of these topics. Whilst not exhaustive, we hope that these recommendations will contribute to developing a culture of constructive discussion around failure in primate conservation.

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Overcoming the funder’s dilemma

Cited by 9 publications

References 26 publications

Black swans, cognition, and the power of learning from failure

Black swans, cognition, and the power of learning from failure

Using the Open Standards-Based Framework for Planning and Implementing Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Projects in the High Mountainous Regions of Central Asia

Failure is the Greatest Teacher: Embracing the Positives of Failure in Primate Conservation

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