And right now, no one lives in it, it’s a no person’s

lan

And right now, no one lives in it, it’s a no person’s

land” (PU3). The main role of these translators was seen by some participants as condensing information to deliver accessible, check details clear and robust messages. In addition, translators could go further and help MCC950 supplier scientists understand better the complex and fuzzy policy making context, and open the complexities of biodiversity and ecosystem services issues to policy makers (Cash and Moser 2000). This could be done for instance by arranging sessions to familiarize policy makers with models and concepts developed by scientists (Haas 2004), and familiarising scientists with the needs and constraints of policy-makers (an example is that of the problems of communicating uncertainty). One such individual therefore described his role as “actually understanding what the question is and what the person wants to try to do…the point the person is trying to make, you need to be able to hear that and translate that, and then to be able to read the facts and translate those and try and marry the

two together” (U4). They have a key role therefore in overcoming the language boundaries on both sides and linking communities—leading one participant to note the potential of having science translators talking to policy translators. Within research organisations such individuals EPZ5676 mw may be knowledge exchange specialists, or within policy departments these may be specialist scientific advisors. The challenge could be training or recruiting scientists who have

high profiles within their own disciplines crotamiton and who are able to efficiently communicate with counterparts from other disciplines, as well as with the media, policy makers, and popular audiences (Haas 2004). ‘Translation’ roles are, however, at present not always formally recognised or rewarded. The organisational support of these staff would be partly aided by the development of organisations’ communication strategies, which would outline their objectives and their timescales for various information needs. These strategies will of course vary according to the organisation’s outputs and strengths, and will need to reflect different priorities over time. However, the existence of translators (also called mediators or linkers) should not (and could not) absolve individuals in science and policy from having some role to play in seeking out translation, dialogue, learning and sharing opportunities. Otherwise, a risk is that dialogue can become overly vulnerable to the continuity of key personnel. The challenge will be to promote translators, but also train and incentivise scientists and policy makers wanting to engage themselves in translation roles in addition to their scientific and policy roles.

Comments are closed.