How does scientific research 'impact' on-the-ground decisions? Developing a typology, model, and common language for mainstream conservation science

Conservation scientists have stated genuine interest in conducting impactful research that is useful to conservation interventions and decisions. This begs the question: what qualifies as ‘impactful’ research? In the... [ view full abstract ]

Conservation scientists have stated genuine interest in conducting impactful research that is useful to conservation interventions and decisions. This begs the question: what qualifies as ‘impactful’ research? In the conservation literature, there is little generalizable evidence or common vision. Implementing research with a clear pathway from knowledge production to knowledge use appears, at the moment, more about luck than method.  This day-long focus group answers a call-to-action put forth by an IMCC4 symposia and related publication. The article challenged conservation scientists to refine a proposed ‘typology’ of knowledge impact, preliminarily developed from coral reef cases. The long-term objective is to develop  a common way to talk about, describe, and assess the impact of research in ways that are useful to mainstream conservation science and practice. Initial work will occur in this session. First, we will review theories and concepts developed by social science fields that are relevant to understanding knowledge production, broadly. These include co-production, information usability models, usable science, and actionable knowledge. Second, we will synthesize marine conservation cases to refine the existing rough typology. Third, we will develop research questions that the field can use to validate or contest the typology. Lastly, participants will discuss adapting information usability models to more deeply envision how, why, and under what generalizable terms conservation knowledge is used by decision makers.  The organizers expect a core group of invited scholars (~10) and openly welcomes interested practitioners (~10). All participants will contribute to a peer-reviewed manuscript that will report on the group’s findings.