Skip to main content

Utility

  • Admissions
  • Exploring Grad School
  • Current Students
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Faculty + Staff
  • Alumni
Give
COVID-19 UPDATES
Report Sexual Misconduct
Home

Main navigation

Search is currently disabled
  • Academics
    • Master of Science
    • Master of Landscape Architecture
    • Doctoral (PhD)
    • Dual-Degree Programs
    • Graduate Certificate Programs
    • Undergraduate Program
    • Courses
  • Research + Impact
    • Sustainability Themes
    • PhD Profiles
    • Student Research
    • The Centers, Institutes + Initiatives
    • Faculty Profiles
    • Labs
  • Admissions
    • Exploring Graduate School
    • Why Michigan?
    • How to Apply
    • Funding
    • Online Games
    • Visit Campus
    • International Students
    • For Admitted Students
    • Admissions FAQs
    • Rackham Graduate School Resources
  • Student Services
    • SEAS Student Center
    • Career Services
    • Financial Aid
    • Academic Advising
    • Student Organizations
    • Student Development
    • Forms, Handbooks + Policies
    • Quick Links
  • News
    • Community Highlights
    • In the Media
    • Stewards Magazine
  • Events
    • Co-Sponsorship Form
    • Submit Event
    • Admissions Webinars
    • Gallery
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Leadership
    • Demographics
    • Faculty Profiles
    • Administrative Departments + Staff
    • Facilities + Locations
    • Diversity, Equity + Inclusion
    • Art & Environment Gallery
    • Land Acknowledgement
    • History

Utility

  • Admissions
  • Exploring Grad School
  • Current Students
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Faculty + Staff
  • Alumni
Give
COVID-19 UPDATES
Report Sexual Misconduct
search icon Search

News

Image
Conservation Ecology
  • Academics
  • Research + Impact
  • Admissions
  • Student Services
  • News
    • Community Highlights
    • In the Media
    • Stewards Magazine
  • Events
  • About

Main navigation

  • Academics
  • Research + Impact
  • Admissions
  • Student Services
  • News
    • Community Highlights
    • In the Media
    • Stewards Magazine
  • Events
  • About
back to all news

Navigating the Science-Action Labyrinth

Image
 
April 1, 2020

Traditionally, scientists assimilate knowledge to inform decision makers. But as sustainability concerns increase, some are seeking other ways to more directly make a difference. In this Voices, we ask scientists about how they see their role in global society and the complex landscape of converting science to action.

Jonathon Overpeck

Jonathan Overpeck

Focus on Relationship and Trust

The call for action has never been louder—for the climate crisis, global health, water security, biodiversity, environmental justice, and much more. As a result, many scientists are working to improve communication with decision makers in society. Mostly, this has been one way: science informs decisions and updates the public. This is valuable, but more is needed. By itself, academic knowledge is often insufficient for action on pressing issues such as climate change or a global pandemic.

To overcome this limitation, researchers are increasingly partnering with members of society to combine their respective knowledge, to identify the science that is needed for action, and to drive actions that work. The foundations for partnership are built with relationships that don’t necessarily come easily. Time, patience, respect for diverse world views, and kindness are essential for building requisite trust, but the results of this extra effort can transcend simple communication to enable effective collaborative action.

Scientists are all members of their communities and are often respected in these same communities. The opportunity is obvious—what if we all put more effort into building relationships, trust, and plans of actions in our communities? What if we all worked to link community action to larger-scale solutions? Could this be our best chance to speed the transformation to a more economically robust, environmentally sound, sustainable, and just world? The answer is yes, and we don’t have time to waste.

seas logo
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability
Dana Building
440 Church Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-6453
Email us
facebook
twitter
instagram
linkedin
youtube
flickr
planet blue global impact logo

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Intranet
  • Contact Web Team

© 2023 The Regents of the University of Michigan | Privacy Policy | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Produced by Michigan Creative