What is it about?
This article reports on a 2022 MAK’IT conference in Montpellier, France, on incorporating science into the resolution of complex crises. To foster a scientific culture with greater public engagement in policy, regulatory, and financial actions, more fluid, timely, and integrative approaches are required. Through joint scientist-stakeholder problem identification, co-design/co-production of response strategies, and conflict resolution, transdisciplinary science can contribute to integrated and cooperative decision-making. Open and honest (sometimes uncomfortable) discourse is necessary, including communication among actors, controversy analysis, and debate, while stimulating empathy and compromise. The successful resolution of interconnected crises hinges on a collective commitment to embracing and integrating varied viewpoints.
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Why is it important?
Despite the wealth of scientific knowledge available, its full potential remains untapped during crisis situations due to disciplinary silos, slow response times, and the lack of integration of scientists with first responders, stakeholders, and policy makers. The diverse group of participants at the MAK’iT conference provided insights from agricultural, environmental, and health (i.e. ‘Feed-Protect-Care’) contexts to create a roadmap for reorganization of scientific approaches to support people and the planet. Scientific institutions were urged to reward transdisciplinary work and develop training to better navigate uncertain outcomes and respond to dynamic conditions and complex behaviors during a crisis. Political leaders were urged to engage with science throughout crisis decision-making, mobilizing evidence from diverse knowledge systems to ensure holistic responses.
Perspectives
The conference consisted of diverse and thought-provoking talks from many disciplines and different regional experiences. The panel discussions among scientists and practitioners demonstrated their interest and enthusiasm for cooperative responses to crises, such as how teams could be ready to assist decision-makers during emergencies. By encouraging interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity, it was clear that the scientific community can improve its contribution to crisis management and sustainable development goals. MAK’IT’s ‘Feed-Protect-Care’ platform at the University of Montpellier provided a unique opportunity to bring together experts from around the world to discuss these ideas. (by Paul Shrivastava)
Louise Jackson
University of California Davis
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Science in crisis times: The crucial role of science in sustainability and transformation, PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, October 2024, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pstr.0000132.
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