Overview

Collaborative science is a knowledge co-creation process that informs natural resource management decisions by involving scientists, managers, communities, and others to advance understanding in a manner that none of them working alone could accomplish. The NERRS Science Collaborative Program, hosted by the University of Michigan Water Center, designed this guide based on observations and lessons learned from projects supported through the NERRS Science Collaborative.

Inside you'll find examples, tips, and downloadable tools to help you develop collaborative science projects that address urgent natural resource management challenges.

This Guide to Collaborative Science is designed to:

• Introduce users to the collaborative science approach 
• Provide guidance on envisioning and planning a project
• Support the design and management of projects through practical tools and relevant project examples

This guide has relevance to collaborative research, science transfer, and catalyst projects supported through the NERRS Science Collaborative and similar funding programs, as well as other science-based research, monitoring, assessment, and policy analysis efforts that require collaboration and adaptation to meet the needs of intended users. This guide is applicable to projects that draw on both the natural and social sciences.

Guide Contents:

• Guide Contents
• Scope Your Project
• Design Your Project
• Enhance Your Collaboration
• Fine-Tune the Products

Audience

This guide was designed to be useful to people within the NERR System and beyond who are interested in developing collaborative science projects that address urgent natural resource management challenges in a variety of settings and with different sources of funding.