Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
Boundary spanning is a focused effort to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and information between disparate communities, such as knowledge producers (i.e., analysts, scientists, researchers, etc.) and knowledge users (i.e., decision-makers, policy makers, managers, etc.). Many boundary-spanning efforts are limited to single interfaces, or focused on producing single boundary objects. Here we describe the ongoing work of a boundary spanning organization that amounts to a system of activities conducted at interfaces between multiple communities engaged in ecosystem-based management of the Puget Sound, resulting in a suite of boundary objects. These examples illustrate a range of potential boundary spanning activities while also describing a more holistic boundary system that utilizes several complimentary and related approaches to improve the use of knowledge in decision making. Importantly, this system is supported by, and indeed requires, a larger institutional framework that provides scaffolding upon which the boundary spanning operates. We show that the institutional framework is often not supplied solely by a single boundary spanning organization, but rather by a suite of cooperating institutions. This series of vignettes highlights the range of potential boundary spanning approaches and management functions that, in concert, serve to improve the use of research results in decision making. Last, we compare these activities and outcomes against one value proposition for boundary spanning organizations, concluding that the value of boundary spanning is best evaluated over time and through a suite of activities.
Session Title
Conservation Through Different Ways of Knowing
Conference Track
SSE2: How We Protect the Salish Sea
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-314
Start Date
27-4-2022 9:45 AM
End Date
27-4-2022 11:15 AM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Boundary spanning in support of ecosystem-based management
Boundary spanning is a focused effort to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and information between disparate communities, such as knowledge producers (i.e., analysts, scientists, researchers, etc.) and knowledge users (i.e., decision-makers, policy makers, managers, etc.). Many boundary-spanning efforts are limited to single interfaces, or focused on producing single boundary objects. Here we describe the ongoing work of a boundary spanning organization that amounts to a system of activities conducted at interfaces between multiple communities engaged in ecosystem-based management of the Puget Sound, resulting in a suite of boundary objects. These examples illustrate a range of potential boundary spanning activities while also describing a more holistic boundary system that utilizes several complimentary and related approaches to improve the use of knowledge in decision making. Importantly, this system is supported by, and indeed requires, a larger institutional framework that provides scaffolding upon which the boundary spanning operates. We show that the institutional framework is often not supplied solely by a single boundary spanning organization, but rather by a suite of cooperating institutions. This series of vignettes highlights the range of potential boundary spanning approaches and management functions that, in concert, serve to improve the use of research results in decision making. Last, we compare these activities and outcomes against one value proposition for boundary spanning organizations, concluding that the value of boundary spanning is best evaluated over time and through a suite of activities.
