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Harvard Forest Symposium Abstract 2019

  • Title: Embedding Public Engagement with Science at Long Term Ecological Research Sites
  • Primary Author: Marissa Weiss (Harvard Forest)
  • Additional Authors: Alix Contosta (University of New Hampshire - Main Campus); Pamela Templer (Boston University)
  • Abstract:

    Sarah Garlick1, Kathy Fallon Lambert2, John Besley3, Alix Contosta4, Peter Groffman5, Shannon Rogers4, Pamela Templer6, Marissa Weiss7 1Hubbard Brook Research Foundation, 2Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Trillium, 3Michigan State University 4University of New Hampshire, 5City University of New York, 6Boston University, 7Harvard Forest, Harvard University

    The goal of this project is to develop evidence-based practices and resources for effective public engagement at two sites of the national Long Term Ecological Research Network, Harvard Forest and Hubbard Brook. We are developing and testing an engagement model centered around three essential components for embedding mutual learning into the systems of science: Engagement, Co-Production, and Outreach. Dialogue-based synthesis projects at each site allow us to investigate each
    component of our model. The Harvard Forest synthesis project is to develop an outreach tool, the New England Landscape Futures Explorer, an interactive online map for outreach about research using scenarios to consider future land use. The Hubbard Brook synthesis project theme is forest resilience. Embedding activities allow us to develop methods for overcoming barriers to engagement for scientists and stakeholders. We are also investigating scientists’ attitudes and beliefs about engagement via annual surveys (2017, n=89, 70% resp. rate) and annual interviews (2018, n=17).
    The 2019 surveys, released in March, have an additional focus on views about engagement support systems. We will apply the outcomes of this research to embed public engagement into the cultures, practices, and institutions of long-term ecological research.

  • Research Category: Group Projects