Navigating spaces between conservation research and practice: are we making progress?

Jarvis, R. M., Borrelle, S. B., Forsdick, N. J., Perez-Hammerle, K.-V., Dubois, N. S., Griffin, S. R., Recalde-Salas, A., Buschke, F., Rose, D., Archibald, C. L., Gallo, J. A., Mair, L., Kadykalo, A., Shanahan, D. and Prohaska, B. K. (2020) Navigating spaces between conservation research and practice: are we making progress? Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 1 (2). e12028. ISSN 2688-8319 doi: 10.1002/2688-8319.12028

Abstract/Summary

1. Despite aspirations for conservation impact, mismatches between research and implementation have limited progress towards this goal. There is, therefore, an urgent need to identify how we can more effectively navigate the spaces between research and practice. 2. In 2014, we ran a workshop with conservation researchers and practitioners to identify mismatches between research and implementation that needed to be overcome to deliver evidence‐informed conservation action. Five mismatches were highlighted: spatial, temporal, priority, communication, and institutional. 3. Since 2014, thinking around the ‘research–implementation gap’ has progressed. The term ‘gap’ has been replaced by language around the dynamic ‘spaces’ between research and action, representing a shift in thinking around what it takes to better align research and practice. 4. In 2019, we ran a follow‐up workshop reflecting on this shift, whether the five mismatches identified in the 2014 workshop were still present in conservation, and whether progress had been made to overcome these mismatches during the past 5 years. We found that while there has been progress, we still have some way to go across all dimensions. 5. Here, we report on the outcomes of the 2019 workshop, reflect on what has changed over the past 5 years, and offer 10 recommendations for strengthening the alignment of conservation research and practice.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/93322
Identification Number/DOI	10.1002/2688-8319.12028
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Agri-Food Economics & Marketing
Publisher	Wiley
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