Restarting the conversation: challenges at the interface between ecology and society

View/ Open
Issue Date
2010-08-01Author
Groffman, Peter M.
Stylinski, Cathlyn
Nisbet, Matthew C.
Duarte, Carlos M.
Jordan, Rebecca
Burgin, Amy J.
Previtali, M. Andrea
Coloso, James
Publisher
Ecological Society of America
Type
Article
Article Version
Scholarly/refereed, publisher version
Rights
Copyright by the Ecological Society of America
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The exchange of information between researchers, resource managers, decision makers, and the general public has long been recognized as a critical need in environmental science. We examine the challenges in using ecological knowledge to inform society and to change societal actions, and identify a set of options and strategies to enhance this exchange. Our objectives are to provide background information on societal knowledge and interest in science and environmental issues, to describe how different components of society obtain information and develop their interests and values, and to present a framework for evaluating and improving communication between science and society. Our analysis strongly suggests that the interface between science and society can only be improved with renewed dedication to public outreach and a wholesale reconsideration of the way that scientists communicate with society. Ecologists need to adopt new models of engagement with their audiences, frame their results in ways that are more meaningful to these audiences, and use new communication tools, capable of reaching large and diverse target groups.
Collections
Citation
Groffman, P. M., Stylinski, C., Nisbet, M. C., Duarte, C. M., Jordan, R., Burgin, A., Previtali, M. A. and Coloso, J. (2010), Restarting the conversation: challenges at the interface between ecology and society. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 8: 284–291. doi:10.1890/090160
Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.