Open AccessCommunicating Environmental Research: Harnessing the Power of Curation
Author(s) -
Ann Marie Dale,
Jaime Clifton-Ross,
François Jost,
Jaigris Hodson,
Hilary Leighton,
Mary Bernard
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of community engagement and scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2837-8075
pISSN - 1944-1207
DOI - 10.54656/ndkb9329
Subject(s) - biodiversity , sustainability , climate change , environmental resource management , threatened species , conversation , public engagement , ecosystem services , global warming , geography , political science , environmental planning , ecosystem , sociology , public relations , ecology , environmental science , biology , communication , habitat
Never before has public communication of critical research, science, and knowledge on climate change and biodiversity loss been more important. The 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report, Global Warming of 1.5 ºC, stated that we only have 12 years to limit the catastrophic effects of climate change, including extreme weather, flood, drought, and poverty. The 2019 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services revealed that roughly 1 million species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction. Given these dire warnings, the threat of climate change and biodiversity loss have never been more relevant, considering the impact these unprecedented issues will have on human survival, health, and well-being. This paper describes the results of our study, which explores findings used to develop the practice of research curation, which found that adapting and applying museum engagement strategies, using art to communicate science, and applying social media content curation and marketing strategies in combination with social learning practices are key to successful knowledge mobilization. This article focuses primarily on the methodologies and results of three projects: an art and literary exhibit, a biodiversity conversation series, and a sustainability-themed Instagram account. Based on our experience and findings, we share the lessons learned that we believe are actional for other researchers with similar goals, in particular those who are communicating research on climate change and biodiversity loss.