Benchmarking External Efforts and Organizations to Improve the Use of Science by Decisionmakers

The U.S. Geological Survey is dedicated to increasing the use and value of USGS science in societal decisionmaking, and to enhance its program performance and science delivery in support of the Department of the Interior's "Four C's": consultation, cooperation, and communication - all in the service of conservation (DOI 2003). The benchmarking effort described in this report is a first step for the USGS toward consulting other federal agencies and nations, as well as academic groups and the private sector, to exchange ideas and best practices for improving the use of science in decisionmaking. The USGS can then cooperate with external organizations in areas of mutual interest so as to develop new ways to communicate the best available science. This integrated and collaborative approach will increase the relevance, utility, and customer value of USGS science.

The use of community-based collaborative processes is one way to integrate scientific information into local planning efforts. This picture shows USGS researcher Rachel Sleeter (left) interacting with representatives from U.S. Postal Service and Oregon Department of Transportation at a USGS-sponsored post-disaster tsunami recovery forum in Cannon Beach, Oregon, March 2, 2006.

The USGS has much to learn from external organizations, such as about the organizational frameworks of research/application-development centers and guidelines on the use of science in societal decisionmaking. Federal agencies take various approaches to expand the use of science in decisionmaking, including the establishment of application centers (e.g. the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]'s Coastal Services Center) and science-policy councils headed by science advisors (e.g., the Environmental Protection Agency). Much documentation is also available from European organizations and agencies that focus on the science/society interface.

Keywords used in the Internet search included "science-society," "science impact," and "science and decisionmaking." The types of external organizations included in this search are academic departments, nonprofit organizations, State and local governments, federal agencies, other nations, and international organizations. The main body of this report describes common themes observed in the various efforts and appendices contain additional detailed information on external organizations and efforts.

Publications and Websites:

Wood, N., 2006, Dialog on Science Impact: Benchmarking External Efforts and Organizations, U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 1013, http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1013/