Innovations in how we work together can transform communities for the better

With a global ocean increasingly stressed by the impacts of climate change, communities and decision makers need new understandings not only of climate change consequences, but also of how we can best work together to mitigate them. 

In response to such a need, a new book published by Elsevier entitled Partnerships in Marine Research: Case Studies, Lessons Learned, and Policy Implications features 37 authors exploring nine case studies of strategic partnerships from seven different nations. 

The book is co-edited by SEARCH’s Dr. Francis Wiese and includes two chapters co-written by Dr. Elizabeth Marino of Oregon State University – Cascades. 

“This book was such a pleasure to work on,” says Dr. Marino. “It was particularly wonderful to collaborate with my colleagues Annie Weyiouanna and Julie Raymond-Yakoubian. There are so many good scholars and knowledge-holders who are poised, practiced, and ready to keep the best of the scientific tradition–while changing it radically to protect, promote, and acknowledge knowledge holders across different disciplines, traditions, and cultures.”

Co-editor Dr. Wiese adds, “We all need to think more collaboratively, but building and maintaining partnerships is hard work. Our intent was to document what we have learned from all these efforts and thus help others that are looking to do the same, while also highlighting how institutional and governmental policies could better help to facilitate partnerships moving forward. As such, these lessons learned go far beyond just marine research.”

The book delves into case studies that show how different approaches to partnering can all lead to successful outcomes while overcoming obstacles and adapting to challenges and opportunities. Co-authors of the book hope it will serve as a fundamental tool to enable productive and strategic partnerships. The book can be purchased through the publisher’s website.