Generating and communicating science information to support policy and decision-making in forestry
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The document discusses the importance of effectively generating and communicating scientific information to aid policy and decision-making in forestry. It highlights challenges such as the gap between knowledge and practice, the necessity for research outputs to be properly disseminated, and the role of targeted outreach in fostering adoption of sustainable practices. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for empirical studies on dissemination effectiveness to improve strategies in research institutions.
Generating and communicating science information to support policy and decision-making in forestry
- 1. Generating and communicating science information to support policy and decision-making in forestry
- 2. The policy change process ‘The whole life of policy is a chaos of purposes and accidents. It is not at all a matter of the rational implementation of the so- called decisions through selected strategies.’ Clay and Schaffer (1984).
- 3. The gap between knowledge and practice ‘Constraints to successful management of sustainable forest management over the years largely relate to the adoption of recommendations - not the generation of ‘best practice’. Dawkins & Phillip (1998).
- 4. Who needs to know? Policy knowledge . . . is not effective if retained in the hands of the producer. Policy makers . . . do not generally go about seeking knowledge to assist them in understanding every decision they must make. Policy knowledge . . . must be expressed, communicated, channeled, explained or otherwise distributed to policymakers if it is to affect policy decisions' (Webber 1991).
- 6. Uptake / Adoption Curves Research shows that when 10 to 25% of a target ‘population’ has adopted an innovation, the whole process becomes self- sustaining. ONLY THEN DO ‘GOOD PRODUCTS SELL THEMSELVES’ Cumulative Early Late Majority Majority Number of users Early Adopters Laggards Frequency Pioneers Time
- 7. The Impact Pathway model Inputs (e.g. finance, staff, equipment, systems, etc…) Outputs (e.g. publication, training, databases) Impacts SRF (e.g. reduced deforestation 4 system-level Outcomes and degradation) (e.g. forests and tree outcomes resources are better managed)
- 8. In fact it is probably more like this… KASA: knowledge, attitudes, skills, aspirations From http://boru.pbworks.com/w/page/13774906/Learning-Selection-Change-Model
- 9. From Outputs to Impacts
- 10. Impact Pathway The bushmeat issue Keynote to CBD (2001) Liaison group Support from Bushmeat CBD on NTFP African Parties priority at COP 9 (2008) Scientific work: Liaison group PhDs, review, on bushmeat papers, etc. (2009) (2002-2008) Recommendation COP 10 Decision to SBSTTA (2010) (2010) Scientific work with actors Tools, guidelines (2012, OT) Policy changes (2009-2011) (2011-2012) Improved, more sustainable practices (2012-)
- 11. Impact Pathway: inputs to outputs Inputs: CRP6 5 components 15 research themes + Gender, Capacity building, Sentinel landscapes Original research and capacity building with research partners Outputs Outcomes (e.g. publication, training, (e.g. forests and tree resources are better Impacts databases) (e.g. reduced deforestation managed) and degradation) SRF 4 system-level outcomes
- 12. Research outputs Overall, the production of science outputs is not a major issue but Publication results can be improved in terms of quality and quantity Other types of outputs (e.g. capacity building, gender) are not yet adequately considered and/or recorded THINKING beyond the canopy
- 13. Research outputs: New (?) Thinking 10000 Original scientific pieces H factor: D. Tilman 51 in reputable journals with N. Stern 19 good research partners B. Lomborg 09 1000 Syntheses pieces channeled through “big” Number of citations 100 players (e.g. WB) Communication strategy in place before publishing 10 • “Derived” products for non- science users (policy briefs, blogs, etc.) 1 1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 New incentive structures Stern Lomborg Tilman for rewarding outputs THINKING beyond the canopy
- 14. Impact Pathway: outputs to outcomes Inputs: CRP6 5 components 15 research themes + Gender, Capacity building, Sentinel landscapes Original research with partners Outputs Outcomes (e.g. publication, training, (e.g. forests and tree resources are better Impacts databases) (e.g. reduced deforestation managed) and degradation) Synthesis research and outreach SRF 4 system-level outcomes
- 15. Outputs to outcomes We are generally able Why? to claim a few • Improper project design significant outcomes per year • Passive expectations of outcomes but • Inappropriate This is a painful communication or outreach exercise • Lag time between outputs and adoption Few of these outcomes • Change in donor or societal are real IPGs interests Supporting evidence is • “It simply didn’t work…” somewhat scant and/or attribution disputable THINKING beyond the canopy
- 16. Outputs to outcomes: “Forcing” Opportunities Project for change - Improved certification schemes FSC, UNEP, CIFOR; GEF funded Write for “impact” - Brazil, Mexico, Cameroon - Preparation phase 2002-2004 Do not over-commit - - Several stakeholder workshops Agreement on what needs to change (e.g. SLIMF certification standards) Plan M&E properly - Selection of right partners (CIFOR: backstopping research; FSC-IC: develop approve standards; country partners and certification bodies: develop and test new standards) “Force” recognition - Implementation 2005-2009 - Production of several outputs Work with the right - Database for monitoring aspects of HCVF and biodiversity in FSC certified forests partners (research - FSC step-by-step guide - Good practice guide to meeting FSC certification requirements for biodiversity and HCV Forests in SLIMF partners for research; - Guide to markets for forest products and services for smallholders development partners for - FSC guide to certification for smallholders outcomes…) - National SLIMF standards for Mexico, Brazil and Cameroon - Outcome 2010: endorsement of the Use PIPA methods new SLIMFs standards for the 3 (http://boru.pbworks.com/w/pa countries by FSC ge/13774889/Background) THINKING beyond the canopy
- 17. Impact Pathway: outcomes to impacts Inputs: CRP6 5 components 15 research themes + Gender, Capacity building, Sentinel landscapes Original research with partners Outputs Outcomes (e.g. publication, training, (e.g. forests and tree resources are better Impacts databases) (e.g. reduced deforestation managed) and degradation) Synthesis research and outreach ??? SRF 4 system-level outcomes
- 18. Outcomes to impacts: ouch! “The evidence of impacts of CGIAR Quantification of impact research on new or improved is difficult; all the more management practices and on natural resource management is for policy research insignificant.” (Science Council, 2006) Attribution is generally multiple and non documented Causality links between outcomes and impacts are weak or unclear Lack of proper methods to assess NRM and policy research impacts THINKING beyond the canopy
- 19. Outcomes to impacts: Some Hints Specific research Outcomes as impacts linking outcomes to on a different scale impacts Carefully disaggregate • Systematic reviews impact: • Long-term monitoring • Via adoption of specific experiments (Sentinel outputs by farmers Landscapes) • Via institutional New monitoring & innovation or policy- evaluation methods influence Impact evaluation as Increase our capacity in integral part of project research about impact design of research THINKING beyond the canopy
- 20. How to foster adoption and implementation of good research based practices and policies?
- 21. Outreach and uptake efforts that have little or no effect Educational materials (distribution of recommendations for changed practice; including practical guidelines, audiovisual materials, and electronic publications) Didactic educational meetings (lectures like this one!!) Pile of 855 guidelines in general practices in the Cambridge and Huntingdon Health Authority : “The mass of paper we collected represents a large amount of information, but it is in an unmanageable form that does little to aid decision making”
- 22. Interventions of variable effectiveness Audit and feedback (or any summary of performance) The use of local opinion leaders (practitioners identified by their colleagues as influential) Local consensus processes (inclusion of participating practitioners in discussions - problem focus & appropriateness of solutions)
- 23. Consistently effective outreach efforts. Educational outreach ‘visits’ ‘Social’ media (blogs, twitter, facebook, website). Repeated reminders (manual or computerized). Multifaceted interventions a combination that includes two or more of the following: ‘audit’ and feedback, reminders, local consensus processes, or marketing). Interactive educational meetings (participation of intended users in workshops that include discussion or practice). UNFF 4, Brazzaville 2004
- 25. Publications Number of downloads /yr
- 26. Publications Download Title (2005 - 2011) Realising REDD+: national strategy and policy options 46,793 Hutan pasca pemanenan: melindungi satwa liar dalam kegiatan hutan 38,947 produksi di Kalimantan Moving ahead with REDD: issues, options and implications 29,252 Dari desa ke desa: dinamika gender dan pengelolaan kekayaan alam 28,974 Belajar dari Bungo: mengelola sumberdaya alam di era desentralisasi 22,992 Payments for environmental services: some nuts and bolts 22,350 Plantulas de 60 especies forestales de Bolivia: guia Ilustrada 22,035 Panduan singkat cara pembuatan arang kayu: alternatif pemanfaatan 21,875 limbah kayu oleh masyarakat Atlas industri mebel kayu di Jepara, Indonesia 20,014 Partisipasi masyarakat dalam pembuatan kebijakan daerah di kabupaten 19,712 Tanjung Jabung Barat, Jambi: ketidakpastian, tantangan, dan harapan Menuju kesejahteraan dalam masyarakat hutan: buku panduan untuk 19,160 pemerintah daerah Riquezas da floresta: frutas, plantas medicinais e artesanato na América 18,623 Latina
- 27. Impact on scientific publication
- 28. Web-based outreach 4,000,000 New Blog 3,500,000 3,374,799 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 Social Media 1,500,000 Page views 1,000,000 754,017 500,000 Launch of new CIFOR website 0 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 Quarter
- 29. Journalist workshops • 2011: 2 media workshops in Indonesia trained 37 journalists (Bali & Central Kalimantan) • 2012: 3 media workshops in Vietnam training 40 journalists + 12 editors – Workshops planned in Peru and Papua
- 30. Conclusions • Passive dissemination of information is generally ineffective • Best practice for dissemination and promoting effective diffusion is well known but seldom implemented by research institutions • Applied and strategic research institutions must reward success in uptake / adoption not just count publications • Further empirical studies on the relative effectiveness and efficiency of different dissemination and uptake strategies is required – build this into the research process
- 31. www.cifor.org/crp6 THINKING beyond the canopy