Exploring the role of boundary work in a social-ecological synthesis initiative

• DOI: 10.1007/s13412-022-00811-8
• Publication Date: 2023-01-27T03:03:46Z
• Authors: Barbara Schröter; Claudia Sattler; Jean Paul Metzger; Jonathan R. Rhodes; Marie-Josée Fortin; Camila Hohlenwerger; L. Román Carrasco; Örjan Bodin
• Keywords: Boundary-work; Boundary object; Identification; Leverage (statistics); Boundary spanning

Abstract Inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration in environmental studies faces the challenge of communicating across disciplines to reach a common understanding scientific problems solutions changing world. One way address current pressing challenges is employ boundary work approach that uses activities borders separated field research. But how can this look like practice? In research brief, we self-evaluated synthesis group on socio-ecological systems, based an online survey with participants. Here, discuss be used integrate knowledge from natural social scientists both working social-ecological systems. We found participants were selected acted as spanners willing cooperate for solving multidisciplinary issues regarding understanding, management, maintenance ecosystem services. A network analysis framework served concept object communication integration. Being familiar joint services prior event supported These results indicate initiatives could strategically leverage through careful selection members, inclusion spanners, well identification concepts objects.