460
We have also noted that the objective of Nexus research is to support decisionmaking ranging from the level of an individual facility to the global Sustainable
Development Goals. It is, therefore, critical to precisely understand the stakeholder’s
decisions and questions before producing analysis and data. A degree of uncertainty
can be tolerated, but science is not at all useful at all to decision-makers if the wrong
questions, even slightly wrong or misframed questions. This is perhaps the single
most important lesson in the application of science to practice. Thus, FEW Nexus
research interfaces with non-scientific stakeholders in critical ways.
One definition of the word practice is “the actual application or use of an idea,
belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it” (Oxford Dictionaries). Thus,
we can think of the FEW Nexus practice as the application of Nexus research to
real-world problems. Both scientists and non-scientists involved in such work can
be termed “practitioners.”
As explored in Chap. 2, the Nexus is a complex interlinked system. Changes in one
aspect of food, energy, or water management can create unintended consequences in
another aspect due to feedback loops among actors, resources, and the socioeconomic and environmental processes operating in each one of these realms.
Knowledge enhances action that can move beyond analysis toward implementation. Knowledge should increase validity, accountability, and responsibility for
solution options (Lang et al. 2012). Applied FEW Nexus projects, therefore, requires
the integration of diverse skill sets, expertise, and experience to address the complex
problems surrounding such issues as equitable access to food, water, and energy.
Scientists and nonscientific stakeholders are required to work together to frame
questions, connect research to application, and ensure effective implementation and
monitoring.
The term stakeholders include individuals and organizations in the science, business, sociological, and political sectors: all are essential to interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research and its effective application. The spread of the community
skills and interest and the spectrum they cover from knowledge to action defines
these communities and differentiates them from professional disciplinary societies.
Multi-stakeholder participation is an essential element for addressing sustainability
challenges and developing solutions palatable to civil society (Kates et al. 2001).
The human decision-making process is shaped by the goals and capacities of
various stakeholders and by the technological capabilities each of these has. A central challenge at the Nexus is helping multiple stakeholder communities negotiate
the inevitable trade-offs that arise when changes in policy, planning, or management
are introduced to the interlinked systems.
There is rarely a linear flow of science to decision-making. Decision-makers
utilize science to a lesser or greater degree but are influenced by their own experiences and values, as well as the objectives of any community or constituency that
they represent, before making choices and judgments. Thus, the relationship
between science and decisions is a complex one. Where the products of science are
more aligned with the processes and needs of decision-makers, they are more influential. Where science is more effectively communicated to and understood by
decision- makers, it is more influential. How risk and uncertainty are understood and
E. Eftelioglu et al.
We have also noted that the objective of Nexus research is to support decisionmaking ranging from the level of an individual facility to the global Sustainable
Development Goals. It is, therefore, critical to precisely understand the stakeholder’s
decisions and questions before producing analysis and data. A degree of uncertainty
can be tolerated, but science is not at all useful at all to decision-makers if the wrong
questions, even slightly wrong or misframed questions. This is perhaps the single
most important lesson in the application of science to practice. Thus, FEW Nexus
research interfaces with non-scientific stakeholders in critical ways.
One definition of the word practice is “the actual application or use of an idea,
belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it” (Oxford Dictionaries). Thus,
we can think of the FEW Nexus practice as the application of Nexus research to
real-world problems. Both scientists and non-scientists involved in such work can
be termed “practitioners.”
As explored in Chap. 2, the Nexus is a complex interlinked system. Changes in one
aspect of food, energy, or water management can create unintended consequences in
another aspect due to feedback loops among actors, resources, and the socioeconomic and environmental processes operating in each one of these realms.
Knowledge enhances action that can move beyond analysis toward implementation. Knowledge should increase validity, accountability, and responsibility for
solution options (Lang et al. 2012). Applied FEW Nexus projects, therefore, requires
the integration of diverse skill sets, expertise, and experience to address the complex
problems surrounding such issues as equitable access to food, water, and energy.
Scientists and nonscientific stakeholders are required to work together to frame
questions, connect research to application, and ensure effective implementation and
monitoring.
The term stakeholders include individuals and organizations in the science, business, sociological, and political sectors: all are essential to interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research and its effective application. The spread of the community
skills and interest and the spectrum they cover from knowledge to action defines
these communities and differentiates them from professional disciplinary societies.
Multi-stakeholder participation is an essential element for addressing sustainability
challenges and developing solutions palatable to civil society (Kates et al. 2001).
The human decision-making process is shaped by the goals and capacities of
various stakeholders and by the technological capabilities each of these has. A central challenge at the Nexus is helping multiple stakeholder communities negotiate
the inevitable trade-offs that arise when changes in policy, planning, or management
are introduced to the interlinked systems.
There is rarely a linear flow of science to decision-making. Decision-makers
utilize science to a lesser or greater degree but are influenced by their own experiences and values, as well as the objectives of any community or constituency that
they represent, before making choices and judgments. Thus, the relationship
between science and decisions is a complex one. Where the products of science are
more aligned with the processes and needs of decision-makers, they are more influential. Where science is more effectively communicated to and understood by
decision- makers, it is more influential. How risk and uncertainty are understood and
E. Eftelioglu et al.