Making Science Relevant: How Hydroclimate Research Gets Integrated Into Decision Making
Gordon, Eric 1
1 University of Colorado, Western Water Assessment
If a new research result completely changes our understanding of hydrology and could save water, money, and time, would it automatically be adopted by water utilities and other decision makers? In this talk I will examine how research results make their way into the world of decision making and policy. My intention is to provide students of hydrologic sciences a picture of the work involved in making science relevant to real-world water management decisions.
Many scientists still believe in a "loading dock" model of science informing decision making. This model assumes that scientists conduct research and present results in journals and other forums, which serve as "loading docks" where policymakers and decision makers pick up the results and improve their understanding of relevant issues. However, a body of social science work tells us that this model is insufficient to explain the complexity of the manner in which information crosses the boundary between science and decision making. Significant work is required to integrate new research into decision making, often requiring the use of a new model of "co-produced" research.
Using the experiences of the Western Water Assessment (WWA), a NOAA-funded Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments program at CU-Boulder, I will present case studies demonstrating what it takes to make hydroclimate science relevant.