Andrew is a post-doctoral researcher in North Carolina focused on population and conservation genetics in hydrothermal vent communities.

David is a graduate student in Florida. He studies the ecology and conservation of sharks.

Amy is a graduate student in North Carolina studying local ecological knowledge within small scale fisheries.

Chuck is a graduate student in North Carolina focusing on apex predators and how they interact with fisheries.

Lyndell is a graduate student in North Carolina, studying the feeding ecology of cownose rays.

Iris is a graduate student in Washington studying habitat use and feeding habits of juvenile Pacific salmon and herring in Puget Sound.

Michael is a graduate student in Maryland investigating the visual systems of mantis shrimp.

Science to action: A scientist’s guide to influencing decision making

By David Shiffman, on May 17th, 2011

This week at the International Marine Conservation Congress, a great resource was introduced. Science to Action, an affiliate of Conservation International, released a dual volume called “A scientist’s guide to influencing decision making /a decision maker’s guide to using science”.

“Scientists have knowledge, but typically limited authority to change behavior [and] decision-makers have power, but may lack in-depth knowledge of particular problems”, the guidebook aims to link these two groups together to create the conditions that allow informed decisions to drive positive change, or science-to-action”

The guidebook focuses on a few cases studies in developing tropical nations, but many of the lessons are broadly applicable.

My obnoxious conference-swag-sniping behavior paid off here, because I was the first conference participant to grab one of these guides. I can attest that it’s a great reference.

It can be viewed online here.

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