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Failure to stem trends of ecological disruption and associated loss of ecosystem services worldwide is partly due to the inadequate integration of the human dimension into environmental decision-making. Decision-makers need knowledge of the human dimension of resource systems and of the social consequences of decision-making if environmental management is to be effective and adaptive. Social scientists have a central role to play, but little guidance exists to help them influence decision-making processes. We distil 348 years of cumulative experience shared by 31 environmental experts across three continents into advice for social scientists seeking to increase their influence in the environmental policy arena. Results focus on the importance of process, engagement, empathy and acumen and reveal the importance of understanding and actively participating in policy processes through co-producing knowledge and building trust. The insights gained during this research might empower a science-driven cultural change in science-policy relations for the routine integration of the human dimension in environmental decision making; ultimately for an improved outlook for earth's ecosystems and the billions of people that depend on them.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	social science, evidence, knowledge exchange
Research Division:	Studies in Human Society
Research Group:	Policy and Administration
Research Field:	Environment Policy
Objective Division:	Environment
Objective Group:	Environmental Policy, Legislation and Standards
Objective Field:	Coastal and Marine Management Policy
Author:	Cvitanovic, C (Dr Christopher Cvitanovic)
ID Code:	115264
Year Published:	2017
Web of Science® Times Cited:	10
Deposited By:	Fisheries and Aquaculture
Deposited On:	2017-03-13
Last Modified:	2018-03-21
Downloads:	28 View Download Statistics