Keynote presentation: Dr Prue Addison, University of Oxford

@prueaddison
Dr Prue Addison
Knowledge Exchange & Research
Fellow
Applying the output from
ecological science into
decision-making

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The decision context for the Victorian coastline
Considered but not adequately
consulted about our research

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“Despite the aligned aspirations of many applied
scientists and policy-makers that science should
contribute directly to policy decisions, there are
significant gaps between what scientists provide
and what policymakers can use.”
Burgman. 2015. Asia & the Pacific
Policy Studies. 2. 441-451

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Evidence used in Protected Area management

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Cook, et al. 2010. Front Ecol Environ 8: 181-186
Evidence used in Protected Area management

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Cook, et al. 2010. Front Ecol Environ 8: 181-186
Evidence used in Protected Area management

Rethinking the ‘evidence-based’ mindset
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1. Reject ‘evidence-based’ mindset 2. Think ‘evidence-informed’
Rose, 2014. Nature Climate Change 4: 522.

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Knowledge Exchange: an emerging discipline

14Source: https://www.mpls.ox.ac.uk/public-engagement/what-is-public-engagement
Achieving
research impact:
Informing
>
Consulting
>
Collaborating
>
Co-production

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About me…
… after my time as
a marine ecologist

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Science Practice
• Developing decision support
tools for MPA managers
• Developing decision support tools
for catchment policy-makers and
managers
• Developing guidance and
decision support for businesses
wanting to integrate biodiversity
into management & reporting

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5 critical factors for achieving
research impact

1: Build & maintain networks
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2: Develop collaborative partnerships
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Research Practice

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Cvitanovic et al. 2015.
Ocean & Coastal
Management 112: 25-35.
2: Develop collaborative partnerships

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Research Councils UK, Pathways to Impact
• Passion
• Communication
• Trust
• Power
3: Master social dynamics

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4: Seek institutional support
Cvitanovic et al. 2019.
Environmental Science &
Policy. 94: 20-31

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Creating a New Kind of Science in Academia
Produce not only professors but also future environmental leaders
Keeler et al, 2017.
BioScience, 67: 591-592
4: Seek institutional support

5: Evaluate & learn
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Knight et al (in prep)
Knowledge exchange
process
Changes to
understanding
Policy or
practice
change
Impacts of
policy or
practice
change
Extent of control over that being evaluated
Extent of real world impact

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5 critical factors for achieving research impact
1: Build & maintain networks
2: Develop collaborative partnerships
3: Master social dynamics
4: Seek institutional support
5: Evaluate and learn

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A process to integrate science
into decision-making

27Source: https://www.mpls.ox.ac.uk/public-engagement/what-is-public-engagement
A method to
support
co-production:

Structured decision-making
— Framework, concept, & community of
practice
— Based on decision theory and risk
assessment
— Collaboration of natural resource
scientists and managers
— Creates good decision-making
processes rather than good outcomes
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Addison et al. 2013. Diversity and
Distributions. 19: 490–502

Structured decision-making helps when
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Navigating complex environmental
decisions:
— Multiple competing objectives
— Multiple stakeholders with different
perspectives (values)
— Uncertainty & risk
= Difficult to work out what the best
(optimal) solution

Promotes the incorporation of scientific facts and values into decisions,
acknowledging that decision-making is not a value free process
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Incorporates scientific facts and human
values
Economic
Social
Environmental
Facts Values
© AIMS

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A participatory modelling approach
to set management thresholds
Mean%cover
Current population
Management threshold
Addison et al. 2015. Conservation
Biology. 29, 1411–1422

Thank you!
prue.addison@zoo.ox.ac.uk
@prueaddison