White Rehema, Marzano Mariella, Fesenko Elena, Inman Alan, Jones Glyn, Agstner Barbara, Mumford Rick
School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, Irvine Building, North Street, Fife, KY16 9AL Scotland.
Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY Scotland.
J Plant Dis Prot (2006). 2022;129(5):1249-1261. doi: 10.1007/s41348-022-00599-3. Epub 2022 Jun 20.
Innovation in environmental fields such as plant health is complex because of unbounded challenges and lack of certainty of commercial uptake. In this paper we present a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework, specifically to assist with assessment of technologies to support detection of tree pests and pathogens, but also for wider potential adaptation. Biosecurity can be enhanced by improved early detection of pests and pathogens, but development and deployment of new technologies requires robust scrutiny. We critically analyse the concept, practice and applicability of TRLs. Interviews revealed scientist perspectives during the development process of five novel early plant pest and pathogen detection technologies. A retrospective, collective narrative of one technology from concept to commercial deployment was undertaken. We then developed a calculator tool for assessment of biosecurity TRLs. Our findings illustrate the iterative process of technology development, the challenges in final TRLs of acquiring funding to move from proven success to viable product, inefficiencies created through the need for multiple projects for each technology and the imperative to consider the wider socio-ecological technical landscape, including policy context. End user engagement was particularly valuable at beginning and end of the TRL scale. We conclude that the TRL framework comprises a robust approach to assess technologies in that it facilitates progress tracking, evaluation of success likelihood and identification of opportunities for investment. However, its potential will only be realised for environmental management if it is integrated into the socio-ecological technical landscape and wider discussions regarding knowledge co-production and valuing nature.
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41348-022-00599-3.
由于面临无边界的挑战以及商业应用的不确定性，植物健康等环境领域的创新十分复杂。在本文中，我们提出了一个技术就绪水平（TRL）框架，专门用于协助评估支持树木害虫和病原体检测的技术，同时也适用于更广泛的潜在应用。通过改进对害虫和病原体的早期检测可以加强生物安全，但新技术的开发和应用需要严格审查。我们对TRL的概念、实践和适用性进行了批判性分析。通过访谈揭示了科学家在五种新型早期植物害虫和病原体检测技术开发过程中的观点。对其中一项技术从概念到商业应用进行了回顾性的集体叙述。然后，我们开发了一个用于评估生物安全TRL的计算器工具。我们的研究结果表明了技术开发的迭代过程、在最终TRL阶段从已证实的成功转向可行产品时获取资金的挑战、由于每项技术需要多个项目而产生的低效率，以及考虑更广泛的社会生态技术格局（包括政策背景）的必要性。终端用户的参与在TRL尺度的开始和结束阶段尤为重要。我们得出结论，TRL框架是评估技术的一种稳健方法，因为它有助于跟踪进展、评估成功可能性以及识别投资机会。然而，只有将其融入社会生态技术格局以及关于知识共同生产和重视自然的更广泛讨论中，其在环境管理方面的潜力才能得以实现。
在线版本包含可在10.1007/s41348-022-00599-3获取的补充材料。
