Maxwell Keely, Hubbell Bryan, Eisenhauer Emily
US Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, 20460, United States.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States.
Environ Sci Policy. 2019 Nov 1;101:97-105. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2019.08.003.
Solving complex environmental problems requires interdisciplinary research involving the social and environmental sciences. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working toward solutions-driven research and interdisciplinary integration within its Office of Research and Development. This article details the history of this process and discusses lessons learned from other federal agencies seeking to integrate social and biophysical research: finding the right combination of top down and bottom up approaches; balancing objectives of advancing science and/or supporting programmatic operations; using social science methods to inform the process; and engaging multiple stakeholders. Attention to the social context of scientific practice, including research processes and research use, fosters success. Three strategies for integrating social sciences to support solutions-driven environmental research are: weaving social science throughout the research process, strengthening social networks, and fostering interdisciplinary hubs. Integration into planning and carrying out research has greater transformative potential than integration into product development and distribution. This article provides insights into institutional considerations for advancing interdisciplinarity and the social context of scientific practice in government agencies. It illustrates the multiple decision contexts and inclusion of social science at the science-policy interface.
解决复杂的环境问题需要涉及社会科学和环境科学的跨学科研究。美国环境保护局正在其研究与发展办公室开展以解决方案为导向的研究和跨学科整合工作。本文详细介绍了这一过程的历史，并讨论了从其他寻求整合社会和生物物理研究的联邦机构中吸取的经验教训：找到自上而下和自下而上方法的正确组合；平衡推进科学和/或支持项目运作的目标；运用社会科学方法为这一过程提供信息；以及让多个利益相关者参与进来。关注科学实践的社会背景，包括研究过程和研究应用，有助于取得成功。将社会科学整合以支持以解决方案为导向的环境研究的三种策略是：在整个研究过程中融入社会科学、加强社会网络以及培育跨学科中心。融入研究规划和实施比融入产品开发和分销具有更大的变革潜力。本文深入探讨了推进跨学科性的制度考量以及政府机构中科学实践的社会背景。它说明了多个决策背景以及在科学与政策界面纳入社会科学的情况。
