Building Bridges: From Theory to Practice

A promising new research collaboration was sparked last fall when Research Scientist Adam Pollack, PhD, from the Keller Lab Group at Thayer, presented at an Irving Institute monthly Research Seminar. In attendance was William Ardren, PhD, Assistant Regional Director for the Northeast Region of the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). During Pollack's presentation on inconsistencies in federal funding allocation policies and their intended benefits, a lightbulb went off for Ardren.

"Our framework can help  funders to identify rules that best meet their management objectives," said Pollack. "Environmental risks often vary at fine scales. For example, building-level precision can matter for detailed flood damage estimation. That precision is the difference between not flooding at all and up to three feet of flooding, which can in effect destroy some houses. However, the current federal approach looks at risks and vulnerability across census tracts, which combine thousands of residents."

Ardren was struck by the alignment between Pollack's research and his own regional planning efforts at FWS, both of which faced challenges in prioritizing allocations amidst a complex array of federal funds, regional offices, state governments, and local planning objectives. He saw potential in applying Pollack's proposed framework to simplify rules that could enhance the economic efficiency of public funding allocation, ultimately achieving a broader range of intended outcomes.

Keller and Pollack invited Ardren back for an afternoon to discuss potential intersections and collaborations. Following a productive meeting, Ardren organized a larger gathering with a diverse group of stakeholders, including wildlife refuge workers and federal officials responsible for fund allocation. Armed with insights from Pollack's PNAS paper, they were well-prepared to explore meaningful connections to their collective work.

Now, the group is planning a workshop this fall at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge along the New Jersey shore. Here, participants will confront pressing challenges, which may include issues ranging from responding to sea level rise to conserving critical habitats. Pollack and his team are diligently examining a variety of issues to pinpoint those areas where they can contribute the most valuable insights.

The fall workshop will bring together 20-30 participants, including academics from disciplines such as geomorphology, engineering, and philosophy, as well as FWS staff and local stakeholders. Together, they will tackle a specific decision-making problem, identify obstacles to resolution, explore scientific applications, assess existing decision-support tools, and evaluate regulatory frameworks that either promote or impede progress, along with funding opportunities. This comprehensive approach will equip the group to focus on decision-relevant uncertainties, optimizing a solution set rather than becoming overwhelmed by the broader universe of uncertainties.

Despite juggling competing priorities related to collaboration and policy support goals, Dr. Pollack's overarching objective is to use the workshop as a meta-study to optimize the application of science through stakeholder engagement and policy navigation. Through this approach, he seeks to bridge the gap between science and society, ultimately informing policy improvements and their potential outcomes.