Actionable science has evolved rapidly over the last decade, and the Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) network has established itself as a leader in the field. The practice of actionable science is generally described as user-focused, action-oriented science that addresses pressing real-world climate adaptation challenges. It is also sometimes referred to as usable science, translational ecology, and coproduction. Successfully carrying out actionable science projects requires a range of skills, mindsets, and techniques in addition to scientific knowledge. Those skills can include mutual learning with stakeholders, attention to social and political context, iterative creative problem-solving, and interdisciplinary collaboration across academic disciplines and professional communities. Resources are needed to help scientists and researchers understand and implement these skills.
This project uses literature review and interviews with CASC scientists to investigate how scientists within the CASC network have developed these skills. Results from this work will be used to build capacity for doing actionable, user-focused science, including in the design of the network’s new postdoctoral fellowship program.
