Summer short course on marine ecosystem sustainability

Approaches for sustainability

Holistic approach to management that addresses biophysical and social complexities

Social-ecological feedbacks Place-based approaches – no one size fits all Connect people with science and ultimately with

conservation Scientists, managers, and policy

makers need to work effectively across disciplines

Challenges for sustainability science

Lack of clarity on the underlying conceptual issues – similar ideas expressed differently

Methodological differences between biophysical and social sciences can preclude communication

Lack of opportunity to meet and discuss issues Separation among disciplines (some is good)

Education can play key role

Train young scientists, managers, policy makers in cross-cutting disciplines

Exposure to different scientific and social cultures Build connections with national and international

peers Interaction with resource users Engage public in conservation and

management issues

1. Cross-institution course

2 weeks / 2 modules: Topics and Skills Different perspectives of resource sustainability Cross-disciplinary group projects on issues related

to marine resource sustainability Continue working on projects at home institutions Foster sustained, cross-disciplinary

interactions

1. Cross-institution course

Develop course syllabus and implementation this week

Early career and established scientists from different disciplines contribute to course development and instruction

Working groups have mentor to provide guidance Disseminate work through conferences, publications,

etc.

2. Research exchanges Cross-disciplinary training opportunities for

graduate students and post-docs Develop new skills, collaborations, mentoring

relationships Students bring skills to visiting institutions and

return to home institutions with new tools and perspectives

3. Undergraduate course curricula

Course materials that integrate ecological and social science principles in marine conservation

Students of fisheries, ecology, oceanography, education, marine economics, and history of science

Online publications of coursematerials / syllabi

Coos Bay Historical and Maritime Museum

Honors College course

“Oregon’s Ocean” History of Fishing and Fisheries Science in Oregon How did we get here? Why has science moved in

certain directions? Future? Topical issues from Oregon that integrate history,

politics, sociology and biology Preparation for summer course, Global Learning

course

http://carmelfinley.wordpress.com/

Global Learning Course (baccalaureate)

The World’s Fisheries: Controversies, Policies, History, and Ecology

Global perspective of the complexities of marine fisheries

Status and social, ecological, economic, and political factors

How our choices can affect the sustainability of coastal ecosystems and communities around the world

http://carmelfinley.wordpress.com/

Expose students to the existing skills and theoretical frameworks from different disciplines

Provide a foundation / framework that students can continue to build upon, point them to additional resources

Group problem-solving exercise that leads to publication or outreach product

Merge intra-disciplinary perspectives into something that is more than just a sum of the parts

Summaries from the group

Topics and skills

Sustainability summer course

History Ecological principles

ManagementQuant. & Theor. backgroundon management tools

Marine policy & governance

Human subjects research

TEK / LEKDecision making / trade offs

Stakeholder engagement

Transdisciplinary communication

Discussion points

What are our “essential questions”? How do we tie together the perspectives of different disciplines?

Who is the audience? Entry requirements?

How can we help facilitate strong connections?

What is the mechanism for facilitating interaction and exchange among students across disciplines after the course ends?