How to foster scientific knowledge integration in coastal management

Abstract

Development of science-based coastal policies and strategies that effectively cope with coastal change and risk requires transfer of scientific knowledge beyond the scientific community, and its integration in management processes. However, scientists frequently convey their message to non-specialized audiences resourcing to their own empirical experience, often leading to a high effort - low efficiency process.This paper aims to propose a simple conceptual model to guide scientists in the process of knowledge transfer, focusing on whom and how, and promoting the efficiency of both the science dissemination process and integration of scientific knowledge in management of coastal land and risk. The model proposed herein aims to guide scientists to actively pursue the goal of transferring their knowledge to policymakers and managers besides layman society, and is essentially based upon a review and integration of previous work.We argue that selection of the most efficient scientific knowledge transfer mechanism (outreach, crowdsourcing tools, managers-oriented tools or co-production) should be based following careful consideration of level of engagement with the audience, and take into consideration political and social contexts. The level of engagement also controls the amount of effort involved in message framing, and the nature and robustness of the feedback from the target audience. The model acknowledges that communication strategy must be thought on a case-by-case basis and ranks the proportion of effort distributed between message deliverer (framing) and receiver (engagement) implicit in each transfer mechanism. This helps to select the most adequate mechanism and optimizes knowledge transfer efforts. In addition, it highlights the importance of encouraging scientists to develop message framing skills and to acknowledge the benefits of engaging with others.