Comments on:
Construction of a Pragmatic Scientist
Community Contributing to the Stakeholderdriven Management of the Local Environment
3rd Symposium
Science in Society – A Challenge in Japan
JST/RISTEXInteractions between Science, Technology &Society Program

August 24, 2010
Dr. Michael P. Crosby - Senior Vice President

CORE ISSUE
Challenges with Interaction Between
Managers, Scientists, & the Public• Poor and/or tenuous linkages between
managers, scientists & stakeholder
communities.
• Scarcity of truly management-oriented
science to address local community issues.
• Political goals & poorly informed publicpressure driving priorities of science
support & resource management policy.

CORE QUESTION
Why are scientifically valid ideas and tools for
management of local environment not
adopted by local communities?
• Lack of scientific literacy among localcommunity stakeholders?
• Lack of science community producing userfriendly knowledge applicable to local value
systems and decision making process?

ROLE OF SCIENCE/RESEARCHERS(Classic Scientific Method)

Scientist observes natureScientist formulates null hypothesis (Ho)
Scientist designs experiment/study to test Ho
Scientist conducts study to test Ho
Scientist interprets results as disproving or not disproving Ho
Modification of Ho and/or experimental design, and run again

et cetera
Theorem establishedManagement-Oriented Research• Focus on ecological & human dimension(socio-economic, cultural, historic use) factors
in determining sustainability of resource
management strategies.
• Enhance partnerships between
Managers/Scientists/Special Interests/Public
for developing and implementing sustainable
use strategies.
• Provide information, analyses &recommendations for dealing with current &emerging issues on resource sustainability.

Improved Translation & Transfer ofInformation Among & Between
Scientists, Managers & the Public• Agencies & other funding institutions must
commit long-term support for translation &transfer of S&T information in formats that areunderstood by different user groups.
• New generation of professionals must be
trained & employed as “translators” to bridge
gap in cultural “personalities” of different
communities (i.e., scientists, managers, public).

ROLE OF SCIENCE/RESEARCHERS(Classic Scientific Method)

Scientist observes natureScientist formulates null hypothesis (Ho)
Scientist designs experiment/study to test Ho
Scientist conducts study to test Ho
Scientist interprets results as disproving or not disproving Ho
Modification of Ho and/or experimental design, and run again

et cetera
Theorem establishedINTEGRATED SCIENCE, MANAGEMENT,& EDUCATION/OUTREACH[New Paradigm]

Managers receive
understandable
information

Managers, Scientists &Public realize existenceof a problem

Need facts to base policy upon;
Managers and Scientists develop
research agenda and call for proposals
Scientist observes
nature and RFP

Scientist formulates
null hypothesis (Ho)

Scientist designs
study to test Ho

Proposal submitted
to Agency

New Policies
Public Pressure
Change in public
perception & action

Education & OutreachTranslators(Blend of science, policy & education)

Scientist interprets results asdisproving or not disproving Ho
Scientist conducts
study to test Ho
Proposal funded

Results forwarded to Agency

科学者とステークホルダーのコミュニティ「地域環境学ネットワーク」の構造
Structure of the Local Science Network
for Environment and Sustainability
協働のガイドライン
Guideline ofcollaboration
多様な地域社会のステークホルダーDiverse stakeholdersof the localcommunities

科学研究に取り組む
ステークホルダー
Knowledge producers
among stakeholders

参加型研究評価システム
Participatory evaluation oflocal science
個別課題のネットワーク
Network for specificenvironmentalproblem

地域ごとの課題解決
ネットワーク
Local networks tacklingenvironmental issues
レジデント型研究機関
Residential research
institutions

多様な事例についての情報共有
学びあい、育てあうネットワーク
Sharing information among diverse examples
Network for collaborative mutual learning

Key to New Paradigm: Integration ofScience, Resource Management &the Local Community•Local Science for Environment andSustainability•Residential Research Institutions inCollaboration with Local Community•Visiting Researchers as link to Academia•Value and Incorporate Traditional Knowledge•Long-term Sustainable support provided bypartnership of local and national government,
NGOs, and business and volunteers.

Vision for the Future of Local Science
Network for Environment and Sustainability• Paradigm for relationships between scientists,
resource managers, & local communities shifts
from fragmentation to collaboration• Identification and understanding of economic& social driving forces behind sustainable &non-sustainable use of natural resources• Shared evaluation & feed-back within network• User friendly information & validated analyticalmodels• Establish an International Network of Local
Science Networks