A “knowledge-action gap” exists in natural resources management due to social, institutional, and cultural factors. Barriers on both the knowledge-generation and knowledge-action sides of the equation present challenges for fishery researchers to generate relevant and actionable information, and for managers to integrate the best-available knowledge into their decision-making. This symposium will highlight examples of innovative “knowledge mediation” work addressing the knowledge-action gap in fisheries. We invite presentations highlighting various ways to bridge the knowledge-action gap, including but not limited to knowledge co-production, co-assessment, and co-evolution, boundary organizations, knowledge brokers and champions, capacity-building, dedicated knowledge mobilization/exchange programs, Two-Eyed Seeing, community-engaged research, and relationship-building. We also welcome presentations on studies of the knowledge-action gap, including social sciences, network analysis, and implementation science. Our goal is to foster dialogue and build a community of practice in the fisheries science and management fields to exchange ideas on improving inclusive knowledge flow and application.
Organizer: Julia Hinderer, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, [email protected]
Co-organizers: Andrew Muir, Vivian Nguyen, Steven Cooke
Supported by: Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Carleton University