Workshop 2: Collaborative working across disciplines and sectors – Launch of the IES and ACCESS toolkit - ACCESS

Transcript

1. Collaborating for change Toolkit launch! Birgitta Gaterslaben and Anita Lateano, ACCESS, University of Surrey Ethny Childs and Amy Bond, IES
2. What we will cover 1. Introducing the Toolkit 2.Background to the project 3. From STEM to ESS - crossing disciplinary boundaries 4. Introducing the BRIDGES framework 5. Interactive workshop
3. The toolkit Who is the toolkit for? Those working in the environmental field in research, policy or practice (wishing to get) involved in collaborative work across disciplines and sectors What is the toolkit? • ‘BRIDGES’ framework: six principles to consider from conception to project delivery • A flexible and adaptable approach to suit different resources, team roles and needs
4. The toolkit How can I access it? The toolkit along with supporting resources, including extensive appendices, accompanying slide-deck, and poster are available open access on the IES website.
5. Delivering our vision for environmental science The vision is a future where environmental scientists are knowledgeable, skilled, diverse, and trusted. Their role is to help people to solve environmental challenges and cocreate a sustainable society where people and nature thrive. “...establish new partnerships between Communities and key stakeholders who support interdisciplinary approaches to environmental science, such as social science organisations...”
6. Dialogue Between Disciplines • Launched in 2024 • Key feedback was the need for a practical resource to support interdisciplinary working • Forged links between ACCESS/IES
7. Enter ACCESS - project inception • Webinar on interdisciplinary climate action • Mutual attendance at ACCESS summer assembly and DBD 2025 • Strategy alignment and shared values led to the development of joint funding bid to codevelop a practical resource to support interdisciplinary working
8. Introduction to ACCESS • URKI funded, 5 year project (2022-2027) to champion the role of social science in solving environmental problems • Large network of environmental social scientists, from across research, policy and practice (academia, government, NGOs) • Aim to build interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral networks https://accessnetwork.uk/
9. Why interdisciplinary working? • Complex environmental challenges demand an interdisciplinary approach • Siloed working is deeply embedded • Support a systems approach, unlock multiple benefits, and avoid unintended consequences
10. Environmental Social Science in Interdisciplinary working • Aim to co-produce toolkit and resources for collaborative working across disciplines and sectors • How? • 4 workshops (3 in-person, 1 online) bringing together over 40 co-producers from both IES and ACCESS networks • Survey collecting case studies
11. Accompanying resources • Additional resources for each stage of the ‘BRDIGES’ framework • Practical worksheets • Case study report with collaborative working examples from the environmental sciences • Tailored further reading recommendations
12. BRIDGES framework • The toolkit is based on the 'BRIDGES' framework. • Six principles to help users consider when, where and how collaboration can add value • The toolkit can be used in full or adapted depending on context, capacity, and available resources • Build in time to plan and revisit
13. BRIDGES framework BUILD understanding and the right team Bring together the knowledge, perspectives and expertise needed to understand and address the issue, with a shared understanding of the intended impact of the collaboration. DEVELOP & GROW a collaborative culture Foster a culture in which team members develop their understanding, appreciation, confidence and skills for working collaboratively. REFLECT and adapt to drivers and barriers for collaboration INTEGRATE knowledge and insights Identify and respond to the factors that enable or hinder effective collaboration, adapting approaches as the work develops. Meaningfully bring together different perspectives, ensuring they are reflected and integrated into the aims, objectives, activities and outputs of the work. EVALUATE learning and impact SHARE outcomes and outputs Create opportunities to reflect on and evaluate the learning, experiences, benefits and challenges of collaborative working, and use these insights to inform future practice. Plan, produce and review outputs collaboratively, ensuring that outcomes and learning are shared with relevant audiences in meaningful and accessible ways.
14. Thinking collaboratively (15 minutes) • Introduce yourself (name, role, organisation, discipline or sector) • Identify one collaboration (current or planned) that you are involved in or would like to develop. • Think about and share: • What’s one thing that excites you about collaboration? (Write on a post-it!) • What’s one thing that worries you or feels difficult? (Write on a post-it!)
15. Diagnosing barriers (15 minutes) • From the discussion and looking at what you wrote: ▪ Where is collaboration working well? Where can you identify the barriers and enablers to good collaboration? ▪ Which BRIDGES principles can help strengthen and support collaboration?
16. Insights and takeaways (10 minutes) • Write down one concrete next step you will explore in your own work • Share it on the flipchart
17. What's next? • Read and share the toolkit with your networks! • Provide feedback on the toolkit • Upcoming case study report, to launch autumn 2026 • Be part of the social science specialism at IES Contact: b.gatersleben@surrey.ac.uk, a.lateano@surrey.ac.uk ethny@the-ies.org Website:www.accessnetwork.uk and www.the ies.org