The reality is that SPIs are often messy and difficult, but a positive is that the challenges around SPIs are now well known. As researchers we are dealing with environmental issues around biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are complex social-ecological systems. Scientific experts are not always best placed to communicate their work, and scientific work can get distorted through social media and other indirect routes. The policy setting is often complex, with multiple possible entry points, making it difficult for scientists to understand where they can contribute and how. And we still have silos both in terms of scientific disciplines, and in terms of policy sectors – making it difficult to see where we fit.

As researchers, there are inevitable trade-offs with engaging in SPIs: 

• Clarity-Complexity trade-off (Simple messages vs. communicating uncertainty)
• Speed-Quality trade-off (Timely outputs vs. in-depth quality assessment)
• Push-Pull trade off (Supply-driven vs. demand-driven research)
• Personal Time trade-off (Interfacing vs. doing other things). 

All this begs the question of “Why bother?”. Because huge amount of science that is potentially useful to policy is under-used. There is an accountability issue with funders increasingly demanding policy impact. Engagement in science-policy processes gives researchers better awareness of what research is policy relevant and, therefore, increases funding competitiveness. And finally, engaging in SPIs can be very satisfying and challenging (in a good way!).

Complex policy setting

The SPI Landscape

And how to get engaged

Are you a scientist, either directly involved in SPIs (including SPI work packages within a project), writing a proposal involving an SPI, or just interested in SPIs and wanting to contribute to policy? Are you a decision-makers wanting to learn about biodiversity and SPIs or developing an SPI? A research funder or proposal evaluator concerned with the policy relevance of research? A translator–or any other key knowledge holder?

Actors of all these profiles (and more) can benefit from learning about the SPI landscape and identifying opportunities for learning and involvement. Some common motivators include:

• The massive amount of science that is potentially useful to policy but is currently under-used
• Accountability issue with funders increasingly demanding policy impact
• A need for better awareness of what research is policy relevant and, therefore, increases funding competitiveness
• A desire for increased impact of work–and a greater sense of purpose

Engagement guidelines

Are you ready to dive into the SPI landscape? Understanding the guidelines of SPI engagement will help to ensure that you are properly informed and equipped.

Originally compiled by the SPIRAL project, the following briefs cover a broad range aspects related to biodiversity science-policy interfaces, from understanding science-policy interfaces and biodiversity, to help on developing them. Read the ones most relevant for your work. Upgrade your knowledge–and equip yourself for SPI success!

SPIRAL – SPI Briefs

Understanding science-policy interfaces

• A myth-busting-guide to science-policy interfaces (SPIs)
• Useful references on science-policy interfaces

Understanding biodiversity

• A beginner’s guide to understanding challenges of communicating about biodiversity (FR)
• What’s so special about biodiversity?

Improving communication

• General recommendations for improving science-policy communication
• Recommendations for improving science-policy communication for individuals
• Recommendations for improving science-policy communication for teams
• Recommendations for improving science-policy communication at the level of organisations

Strengthening science-policy interfaces

• SPI under the spotlight: ways to think about science-policy interfaces
• Key features of effective SPIs
• Designing for success: SPI structures
• Goals and roles: SPI objectives and functions
• Science-policy interface processes: fitting activities to evolving contexts
• SPI it out: making a splash with outputs
• Focus on impact
• Adding and sustaining the value of research: recommendations for research funding institutions
• Integration of research results into policy making: recommendations to policy makers
• Improving the use and impact of your research: recommendations to EU research projects

Integrating credibility, relevance, legitimacy and iterativity

• Keep it CRELE: credibility, relevance and legitimacy for SPIs
• CRELE Choices: trade-offs in SPI design
• Iterativity and dynamism in science-policy interfaces

Learning from existing science-policy interfaces

• Reality check for science-policy interfaces
• Reflections on recent experiences with the UK National Ecosystem Assessment
• An emerging multi-level and multi-function SPI for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Romania
• Co-constructing INBO’s policy relevance
• Recent reflections on science-policy communication in the context of deer management in Scotland
• Reflections on recent experience with the Water Framework Directive in Scotland
• Reflections on Science-Policy Interfaces in the development of National Biodiversity Strategies
• Tools for Science-Policy Interfaces: Recommendations on BISE and Eye on Earth
• Towards strengthening environment science-policy interfaces at EU-level: the SEPI exploration
• Afribes: Towards a social network of scientific and technical information for Africa
• The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity – TEEB
• Spiraling IPBES

Moving from interfaces to alliances

• From interfaces to alliances: a shift in how we do science and policy

Briefs in French

• Guide du lecteur pour mieux comprendre les défis que pose la communication sur al biodiversité

SPI Success

Sharing experiences, resources, and support

The SPI community is just that–a community, made up of individuals of all levels of experience and covering the full spectrum of specialties and areas of interest. Take full advantage of the resources this diverse SPI community offers! Below, you can use our exchange platform to compare and contrast experiences with SPI peers; and our expert outreach platform to seek out guidance from Eklipse team experts.

UFZ SPI Seminar

Hosts: Alternet and UFZ